Was Jan Sibelius a First Rate Composer?

[Gary Freedman]

There is so much of Sibelius that I love. He certainly made a unique contribution to music. There's no mistaking the "Sibelius Sound."

But was he a first rate composer? I don't know.

I love the Fifth Symphony. I first heard it while I was in my third year of college, when I was 19 years old.

[Gary Freedman]

However you rate Sibelius, I love his music.

[Grace Linda]

The fact that he is known, puts him in that catagory.

[Powergirl]

Gary, does it matter. For me, if I am able to enjoy the music it really doesn't matter if someone else think my favorite composer is first class or not. Truly most of my favorite composers were not between the line of the so called "First class" and many of the recognized as such are far from my favorite.
Why do we have to categorize to start with? Why there has to be "First " and "second" class? I think these are more important questions.