Brits revealed as Classically Clueless

[karlhenning]

Actually, insisting that the filtration of culture is a matter of dislike is an icon for insufficient cultivation.

[greg]

Cultural decline in a nutshell. By definition, a discriminating person always begins with "I dislike".

I don't see how this is a good thing. Just ignore what you dislike (after honestly giving it a try or two) and find more stuff to like.

[Philoctetes]

I tend to view not liking something to be a defficiency on my end, not on the end of the composer, writer, etc.

[greg]

I tend to view not liking something to be a defficiency on my end, not on the end of the composer, writer, etc.

I do, too, with the exception of nearly anything that you hear on an average radio station.

[Philoctetes]

I do, too, with the exception of nearly anything that you hear on an average radio station.

I apply it with a more broad stroke. I don't really see a clear and distinct line between the 'high' and 'low'.

For instance, today I've been listening to the piano music of Brahms, and it just sounds like a lot of banging to me.

And yet, when I turn on the cd player in my car, I'll be enjoying Milk Inc. , Sylver, and Lasgo. I much prefer them to much that takes up residence in the genus classical.

[Josquin des Prez]

And if we were to replace every single native born Englishman with, say, a white Italian, Russian, Frenchman, or German, that wouldn't happen???

Think of it this way. Imagine you had a brother, and instead then growing up together you were separated at birth, only to meet later in life. Do you think he would still be the same person? What about yourself. Imagine you had born in a foreign culture. Would it still be you? And what if your parents never did conceive you, but decided instead to adopt another child, and gave him the same name, the same upbringing. Would it still be you?

[Todd]

Using "British" and "English" interchangeably is the first mistake of the casual visitor.  It's a mistake they quickly unlearn - sometimes forcibly.

Forcibly, huh?  I always knew the Brits, er, the English, er uh, whatever they call themselves were über-sophisticated.

[Josquin des Prez]

I do, too, with the exception of nearly anything that you hear on an average radio station.

Then you are already discriminating, where as Philoctetes refuses to do so. Which proves my point. Discrimination always occurs in a negative sense, or rather, it occurs both in a negative and positive sense at the same time but it is only in a negative that discrimination generally brings attention to itself.

[False_Dmitry]

Think of it this way. Imagine you had a brother, and instead then growing up together you were separated at birth, only to meet later in life. Do you think he would still be the same person? What about yourself. Imagine you had born in a foreign culture. Would it still be you? And what if you your parents never conceived you, but decided instead to adopt another child, give him the same name, the same upbringing. Would it still be you?

Please, fer chrissake, stop giving advice about MY country, when you haven't the first clue  

You are utterly, utterly wrong, and are just making yourself look a fool.

[Josquin des Prez]

To the contrary, of all the major European nations, Britain is the one in most need of advice, since it is the most decadent, the most utterly and hopelessly deranged.

[Tsaraslondon]

To the contrary, of all the major European nations, Britain is the one in most need of advice, since it is the most decadent, the most utterly and hopelessly deranged.

Having now insulted every visitor to this forum, who hails from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, maybe you'd like to explain the basis for such an outrageous statement! Oh, and if it makes any difference, I am half Greek.


May I ask where you

[karlhenning]

Gosh, tact is just so un-civilized.

[knight66]

Cultural decline in a nutshell. By definition, a discriminating person always begins with "I dislike".

And JdP, you are famed for your discrimination.

I tried to find the method used by 'Readers Digest' to produce their sample, but I can't. I had wondered whether the results arose from a sample of their subscribers, which would not be a cross section of the UK population. But as they mention young people, I doubt it. Not much to go on, but it leads me to doubt that their sampling is from their readers.

http://www.bpi.co.uk/assets/files/Reader's%20Digest_Feb%2009.pdf

What the link does show is the musical tastes of their readers, a review that is unconnected with the survey. 'Classical' is not even specified, though 'light classical' is as is 'opera' The latter gets almost no real support.

Once upon a time, their classical issues were well regarded and popular, but I guess there has been a change over time in the demographics of the readers.

The only time I see the magazine is in the dentist's waiting room. I saw it there last month. Wasn't it awful about the Lusitania! 

Mike

[Mirror Image]

Having now insulted every visitor to this forum, who hails from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, maybe you'd like to explain the basis for such an outrageous statement!

He's full of outrageous statements, so just get used to it. I don't have any problem with his stance on the United Kindom. If he wants to live in ignorance and make such absurd statements which hold no kind of weight whatsoever, that is, indeed, his right. This said, he'll have a hard time making friends with anyone from these countries with this kind of attitude that's for sure.

[knight66]

I think the British look at Italy and think that prize goes to them.

Mike

[False_Dmitry]

To the contrary, of all the major European nations, Britain is the one in most need of advice, since it is the most decadent, the most utterly and hopelessly deranged.

Would that be Britain... or England?  Or do you know the difference?  Perhaps you could pop out for an atlas to the nearby shop in Guam, or Mexico, or Hawaii, or wherever it is in "America" you live?

ROFL!!  I told you that you were making a fool of yourself - and now you've played your joker!!

At least Brits are only clueless about Classical Music..   and not Elementary-Class Geography!

[False_Dmitry]

The only time I see the magazine is in the dentist's waiting room. I saw it there last month. Wasn't it awful about the Lusitania! 

Mike

Since it recently went ito liquidation (!), Reader's Digest can't even figure the taste of its own readers - let alone their knowledge of Classical Music!  I think they were bought-out by some other owners and are stumbling on?

If they have indeed polled their own readers (!) on the topic of Classical Music, it clearly doesn't bode well for the sales of Readers Digest Edition box-sets of "All The Classical Music You Will Ever Need"  that have been toted in this miserable magazine for decades past.

[karlhenning]

He's full of outrageous statements, so just get used to it. I don't have any problem with his stance on the United Kindom. If he wants to live in ignorance and make such absurd statements which hold no kind of weight whatsoever, that is, indeed, his right. This said, he'll have a hard time making friends with anyone from these countries with this kind of attitude that's for sure.

Sometimes when I read "JdP" putting his feet in his mouth (on many occasions, both at the same time), I am apt to recall John Cleese asking Kevin Kline in A Fish Called Wanda, "Are you totally deranged?"

[knight66]

There is a US site with subscription options, can't see a UK site. As I suggested, my dentist does not exactly provide recent magazines.

I am surprised it still exists in any country; the format is about 30 years out of date.

Mike

[Mirror Image]

Sometimes when I read "JdP" putting his feet in his mouth (on many occasions, both at the same time), I am apt to recall John Cleese asking Kevin Kline in A Fish Called Wanda, "Are you totally deranged?"

Lol....yep the guy definitely is good at putting his feet in his mouth.