Nice try, Diane. Beautiful all. I too love renaissance music. But not in same league as 3 Teutons I mentioned — & if that's the period you are urging, I don't think your 3 will match Palestrina or Josquin des Près at that. This last bit a matter of individual taste, I will admit. My initial assertion not so, I fear.

And whom, post-renaissance as implied in your rejoinder, do you urge? Purcell seems to me the sole possible candidate. Sullivan? Elgar? RVW? Britten? Considerable all — but in same league as Bach or Mozart? Come now — not like you to let chauvinism so carry you away!