Unpopular Opinions

[Mirror Image]

Rob Simpson is a better symphonist than Havi Brian.

I can't stand either one of them.

[Symphonic Addict]

I can't stand either one of them.

You said something similar about Schmitt, and now look at yourself, you're compiling a good deal of his music (which is splendid).

The moral seems to be: Never say never. 

[kyjo]

I think a recent post about N Jærvis inconsistency (how could it be otherwise with the large volume of varied music he recorded at high frequency) might belong here.

That doesn't mean I'm not thankful for the job he did with lots of neglected music.

All conductors/performers/composers have their off days, so it's totally natural that N. Jarvi, considering his immensely vast discography, would have his. My gratitude for the service he's done for neglected composers knows no bounds, even if I could imagine some of his interpretations being more subtle/nuanced/etc. Then again, I generally prefer quicker tempi and robustness in my performances, and Jarvi delivers that in spades!

[Rosalba]

I may be British but I don't like Benjamin Britten, particularly his Simple Symphony. It seems too jolly and naff.

I dislike Schubert's Lieder. The men who sing them always sound like red-faced pompous fellows who've just eaten a sausage supper with some damn good ale.

Although I'm a Folkie and have spent time at Cecil Sharp House studying Ralph Vaughan Williams' transcriptions of folk songs he'd collected from Herefordshire gypsies (his handwriting was abominable) I don't much like RVW's works based on folk songs - they're too smooth and Hovis-advert for me. I'll need to keep this secret from my spouse as he loves these arrangements.

[Jo498]

I dislike Schubert's Lieder. The men who sing them always sound like red-faced pompous fellows who've just eaten a sausage supper with some damn good ale.

They've probably eaten the Austrian analogue of a sausage supper with better sausage and probably even wine instead of ale! Not that there is anything wrong with that...

[Brian]

Yeah, that sounds great! 

(Carolyn Sampson has a soprano arrangements Schubert song album if you're tempted by that.)

[Jo498]

I usually prefer men in lieder and alto/mezzo to soprano for female voices. But there are lots of Schubert lieder for female voices (or either, like Erlkönig), even if the most famous cycles are originally (and probably best) for male voice.

[DavidW]

My unpopular opinion is that organ music can be great stuff that doesn't have to be associated with church music nor the composer that dominated the field.

[Rosalba]

My unpopular opinion is that organ music can be great stuff that doesn't have to be associated with church music nor the composer that dominated the field.

I am not very fond of organ-on-its-own - it's just something about the sound which is too husky for me. I like the organ as an accompanying instrument, particularly for trumpet.

I am interested to know - which organ music are you thinking of when you made the above post? It would be nice to sample it. Thank you.

[Autolycus]

My unpopular opinion is that organ music can be great stuff that doesn't have to be associated with church music nor the composer that dominated the field.

Trouble is that apart from Wurlitzers,you only tend to find organs in churches. They're just too big to fit in the average lounge. That's why people used pedal harpsichords.

I'm trying to work out which composer really dominated the field - Sweelinck, Buxtehude, Bach, Messiaen. Suppose it has to be Sweelinck as he was responsible for developing the North German school.

[71 dB]

My unpopular opinion is that organ music can be great stuff that doesn't have to be associated with church music nor the composer that dominated the field.

As an atheist who keeps away from churches I have managed to de-associate* organ music. In the beginning of my exploration into classical music I thought organ music would be something I won't get into, but eventually I understood how foolish such an idea was. Organ music can sound so awesome and powerful! Epic, if you will.  0:)

* Doesn't mean breaking association of organ music with churches, but the association of organ music with negative aspects of religion, the root cause for having an issue with church music in the first place.

[71 dB]

I may be British but I don't like Benjamin Britten, particularly his Simple Symphony. It seems too jolly and naff.

Well, I am a Finn, but I am not too fond of Sibelius. Music in general isn't one of the aspects I admire much about Finnish culture. Fortunately the is a whole World of music to explore!

[Rosalba]

Well, I am a Finn, but I am not too fond of Sibelius. Music in general isn't one of the aspects I admire much about Finnish culture. Fortunately there is a whole World of music to explore!

I agree.
For example, I'm very fond of French Baroque, maybe fulfilling the assertion that 'Every man has two countries - his own, and France.' It's attributed to several people, but I've always wondered where that leaves French men.

[DavidW]

Trouble is that apart from Wurlitzers,you only tend to find organs in churches.

As Poju said though just because you find organs in churches doesn't mean that one can only compose religious music for it.  I think that the organ sounds great, and its expression is limited if seen only in that narrow context.

[steve ridgway]

As Poju said though just because you find organs in churches doesn't mean that one can only compose religious music for it.  I think that the organ sounds great, and its expression is limited if seen only in that narrow context.

Ligeti - Volumina, Kagel - Improvisation Ajoutée, Ives - Variations on "America".

[71 dB]

As Poju said though just because you find organs in churches doesn't mean that one can only compose religious music for it.  I think that the organ sounds great, and its expression is limited if seen only in that narrow context.

Most of the organ music I listen to and enjoy is religious music (by composers such as Weckmann, Buxtehude, Bruhns, J. S. Bach,...), but I also think the best things religions have to offer are:

- Stunning art (if you can appreciate it)
- Spiritual comfort and strength (if you are religious)

I am not religious, but I can appreciate stunning art. That's why enjoying religious music is not an issue for me. Of course I needed to learn to free my mind in this way, but I have listened to classical music for 25 years! I think it was 10-15 years ago when I noticed I enjoy great organ music a lot and there's zero problems with it being originally religious music. Baroque cantatas I have always loved for their versatile but intimate nature and beauty. When it comes to multichannel sound, church music has an advantage because of the reverberant acoustics: Multichannel SACDs of organ music for example can sound absolutely amazing! 

[steve ridgway]

I am not religious, but I can appreciate stunning art. That's why enjoying religious music is not an issue for me.

Same here, there are for example a few requiems I now enjoy. 0:)

[Lisztianwagner]

I may be Italian, but I find Italian Opera quite boring (with very few exceptions).

[Spotted Horses]

I may be Italian, but I find Italian Opera quite boring (with very few exceptions).

I also find myself a bit out-of-step with my Italian-American heritage by having no interest in Italian Opera. However find myself very interested in Italian composers of orchestral music, particularly Malipiero, Casella and Petrassi.

[Lisztianwagner]

I also find myself a bit out-of-step with my Italian-American heritage by having no interest in Italian Opera. However find myself very interested in Italian composers of orchestral music, particularly Malipiero, Casella and Petrassi.

Ditto, indeed a great favourite of mine is Ottorino Respighi.