Unpopular Opinions

Started by The Six, November 11, 2011, 10:32:51 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

mahler10th

Quote from: sanantonio on October 05, 2012, 08:46:52 AM
I prefer Prokofiev to Shostakovich.

I share this preference, but I do not understand it.    :-\  Maybe it's not unpopular...  if it is, there must be something wrong with us.  :)

DavidRoss

Quote from: sanantonio on October 05, 2012, 08:46:52 AM
I prefer Prokofiev to Shostakovich.
Me, too--massively. (So this opinion is not unpopular with me! ;) )
"Maybe the problem most of you have ... is that you're not listening to Barbirolli." ~Sarge

"The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money." ~Margaret Thatcher

Mirror Image

Quote from: sanantonio on October 05, 2012, 08:46:52 AM
I prefer Prokofiev to Shostakovich.

Don't really see how this opinion could be unpopular. I love Prokofiev's music and while Shostakovich is my numero uno, I rate Prokofiev very highly. Definitely a favorite.

Karl Henning

Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Karl Henning

Thread Duty:

I like the Prokofiev Second best of all his symphonies ; )
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

North Star

Quote from: karlhenning on October 05, 2012, 10:14:27 AM
Thread Duty:

I like the Prokofiev Second best of all his symphonies ; )
I agree, but is this an unpopular opinion? Although of course plenty of people have only heard the First on the radio.
"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." - Confucius

My photographs on Flickr

Gurn Blanston

Quote from: karlhenning on October 05, 2012, 10:14:27 AM
Thread Duty:

I like the Prokofiev Second best of all his symphonies ; )

I like it second best too. I like the First first best.  0:)

8)
Visit my Haydn blog: HaydnSeek

Haydn: that genius of vulgar music who induces an inordinate thirst for beer - Mily Balakirev (1860)

Karl Henning

Re-parsed by a Texan! Hate when that happens! ; )
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

TheGSMoeller

Quote from: sanantonio on October 05, 2012, 08:46:52 AM
I prefer Prokofiev to Shostakovich.

Not unpopular, I have been saying that for years, and its not a knock on DSCH, just high praise for Prokofiev.

What I feel may be unpopular, is my disagreement for the high praise Aaron Copland receives. I find much of the music to be quite bland behind all the flare, pop and serenity of his most well known works (Rodeo, Billy The Kid, Appalacian Spring, Symphony 3). I don't find anything challenging or fresh in Copland's music.
Regarding American composers, Ives is the granddaddy of them all, but I even prefer Piston, Hovhanass, and a personal favorite, Schoenfield over Copland.

Copland is the Spielberg of American music, whereas Ives is the Terrance Malick of American music. Think about it, Spielberg's film never truly demand the audience's full concentration or participation, the questions and answers, the mystery, the resolutions, is all laid out clearly for its viewers. It's entertaining, yes, but that's as far as it goes.
Ives, similar to Malick, takes a genre, a tune, an general idea and completely dissects it, exploring all the facets, allowing the listener, or viewer, complete access into the possibilities of conclusions. There are no boundaries, and nothing is forbidden. It's a trip into an unknown world that is full of familiarity.


Mirror Image

Quote from: karlhenning on October 05, 2012, 10:14:27 AM
Thread Duty:

I like the Prokofiev Second best of all his symphonies ; )

Yeah, Prokofiev's 2nd is just my cup of insanity. I love it! >:D I like Shosty's 2nd come to think of it too. Totally crazy.

Karl Henning

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 05, 2012, 10:29:45 AM
Not unpopular, I have been saying that for years, and its not a knock on DSCH, just high praise for Prokofiev.

That's the right angle!
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Mirror Image

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 05, 2012, 10:29:45 AM
Not unpopular, I have been saying that for years, and its not a knock on DSCH, just high praise for Prokofiev.

What I feel may be unpopular, is my disagreement for the high praise Aaron Copland receives. I find much of the music to be quite bland behind all the flare, pop and serenity of his most well known works (Rodeo, Billy The Kid, Appalacian Spring, Symphony 3). I don't find anything challenging or fresh in Copland's music.
Regarding American composers, Ives is the granddaddy of them all, but I even prefer Piston, Hovhanass, and a personal favorite, Schoenfield over Copland.

Copland is the Spielberg of American music, whereas Ives is the Terrance Malick of American music. Think about it, Spielberg's film never truly demand the audience's full concentration or participation, the questions and answers, the mystery, the resolutions, is all laid out clearly for its viewers. It's entertaining, yes, but that's as far as it goes.
Ives, similar to Malick, takes a genre, a tune, an general idea and completely dissects it, exploring all the facets, allowing the listener, or viewer, complete access into the possibilities of conclusions. There are no boundaries, and nothing is forbidden. It's a trip into an unknown world that is full of familiarity.

I personally like a good bit of Copland's music. I think if you looked at Copland's entire oeuvre it's quite diverse. I don't know if I care for your comparison you made with Spielberg either. Ives may be the grandfather of American classical music, but Copland put a unique spin on the American sound and, in turn, inspired many others to do the same, but really comparing Ives and Copland is apples and oranges. They couldn't be more different from each other.

Mirror Image

Quote from: sanantonio on October 05, 2012, 10:44:32 AM
I prefer Copland to Ives.

:D

In some ways, yes, but I think both composers are outstanding.

TheGSMoeller

Quote from: Mirror Image on October 05, 2012, 10:47:10 AM
In some ways, yes, but I think both composers are outstanding.

And I agree, John, it may have been comparing apples to oranges, but what's the fun in comparing apples to apples?  ;D

Karl Henning

Well, I think Copland was clearly a more professional composer than Ives.

OTOH, Ives was apt to much nervier artistic 'risk' than was Copland.

That said, I like both of them very well, and would not wish either otherwise than he was.
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Mirror Image

#775
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 05, 2012, 10:49:41 AM
And I agree, John, it may have been comparing apples to oranges, but what's the fun in comparing apples to apples?  ;D

I suppose so, Greg. :) For me, one listen to Copland's Clarinet Concerto reveals an intimacy in this composer that I don't always get in Ives. For me, and you may not like this analogy Greg, but Ives is like a chemist whereas Copland is a craftsman. Both approaches are valid, but many people are naturally going to gravitate towards one over the other, but I like both.

TheGSMoeller

Quote from: Mirror Image on October 05, 2012, 10:54:36 AM
I suppose so, Greg. :) For me, one listen to Copland's Clarinet Concerto reveals an intimacy in this composer that I don't get in Ives. For me, and you may not like this analogy Greg, but Ives is like a chemist whereas Copland is a craftsman. Both approaches are valid, but you're naturally going to gravitate towards one over the other.

I love analogies, and yours is a good one!

Surprisingly, my favorite Copland piece is El Salon Mexico.

Karl Henning

Quote from: Mirror Image on October 05, 2012, 10:54:36 AM
I suppose so, Greg. :) For me, one listen to Copland's Clarinet Concerto reveals an intimacy in this composer that I don't always get in Ives. For me, and you may not like this analogy Greg, but Ives is like a chemist whereas Copland is a craftsman. Both approaches are valid, but you're naturally going to gravitate towards one over the other.

An interesting analogy.

I should disagree, though, that one necessarily will gravitate to one of the other Type.  Some of us (many, I should think) like both caviar and fish-&-chips.
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Karl Henning

If you haven't heard the Sextet, there's an important angle to Copland whereof you are almost entirely unaware.
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

Mirror Image

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 05, 2012, 10:56:37 AM
I love analogies, and yours is a good one!

Surprisingly, my favorite Copland piece is El Salon Mexico.

Thanks, Greg. I haven't listened to El Salon Mexico in quite some time. When I did listen to that work, I keep wondering why am I not listening to Chavez or Revueltas instead? :-\