Frustrated/bored with GMG

[The new erato]

Abuse is one thing and should't be allowed. Disagreement is another. I usually learn more from people disagreeing with me - if they are good posters - than from people agreeing.

[71 dB]

Perhaps because there isn't much to know? AFAIK he died quite young and what he left is one CD worth of vocal music and an couple of CDs worth of organ music (give or take a few).

The cantata album on Harmonia Mundi is superb - but we have very little to go on on forming an opinion on this composer.

Well, at least you know something about him.  Actually it's 2 CDs worth of 12 cantatas and one CD of organ works. There are stories about his amazing chamber music (perhaps found someday, we can hope).

[Sergeant Rock]

Where is the discussion about the best performance of Elgar's 2nd symphony?

That would be Sinopoli. I'd be happy to discuss it but the backlash from the British Elgarians here would obliterate me...so I tend not to proclaim my heresy too loudly 

Sarge

[Harry]

I am a great Elgar admirer too, and have most of his Orchestral works, and I am more than happy to discuss this at lenght!

[Choo Choo]

Well at least I share his enthusiasm, so one already, and the rest is fast in coming!

And I share his enthusiasm for Buxtehude - to the point that, as a rule, I would greatly prefer to listen to his works than to Bach's.  However I don't think that makes me a superior judge of these things, or means that anyone who disagrees is narrow-minded.  It's a personal preference.  I happen to like a particular Islay whisky - strongly peaty, but not offensively so.  Do I have to taste every other whisky in existence in order to "validate" that preference - or can I just be left alone to enjoy it (please.)

[Harry]

And I share his enthusiasm for Buxtehude - to the point that, as a rule, I would greatly prefer to listen to his works than to Bach's.  However I don't think that makes me a superior judge of these things, or means that anyone who disagrees is narrow-minded.  It's a personal preference.  I happen to like a particular Islay whisky - strongly peaty, but not offensively so.  Do I have to taste every other whisky in existence in order to "validate" that preference - or can I just be left alone to enjoy it (please.)

Yes, you are right, and point taken.
I like the Islay malt also by the way.

[71 dB]

This seems to me be part of the problem.  You are assuming that that's why people choose not to listen to Dittersdorf (those that have heard of him.)  That may not be the reason at all.  For example, not everyone has either the time or the ambition to listen to absolutely everything, so a certain amount of pre-selection is necessary.  On whatever basis that selection is made, perhaps Dittersdorf just doesn't make the cut (for whatever reason.)

However if you always impute the worst motives to those who don't share your enthusiasms, inevitably you will experience a backlash.

If you can say Dittersdorf is laughable you have to have listened to his music. If you want to ignore him that's ok but don't say anything because you really don't know.

Currently these are the stats:

Wagner's Valhalla - 80 posts

Mahler Mania - 263 posts

Bruckner Abbey - 304 posts

Your Elgar thread - 484

I'm depressed too. My favorite composers, Mahler and Wagner, aren't even on the first page any longer and clearly aren't even half as popular as Elgar.

Those stats are misleading. Elgar's thread is full of nonsense. Count the posts with real substance and you'll get the real picture. Also, Mahler is discussed a lot elsewhere too like "CDs I am considering" thread.

Nobody seems to know anything about Zemlinsky, Magnard, Wetz, Schmidt, Stenhammar or Havergal Brian. I'm more depressed than you are 

Sarge

I admit I don't know anything about those composers (Stenhammar maybe) but it would be refreshing to see discussion of those composers. 

That would be Sinopoli. I'd be happy to discuss it but the backlash from the British Elgarians here would obliterate me...so I tend not to proclaim my heresy too loudly 

Sarge

Well, I am a Finnish Elgarian. Sinopoli? Interesting. I haven't heard anything from him...

[Sergeant Rock]

It's a personal preference.  I happen to like a particular Islay whisky - strongly peaty, but not offensively so.  Do I have to taste every other whisky in existence in order to "validate" that preference - or can I just be left alone to enjoy it (please.)

You're not a Laphroaig drinker, are you? Lovely stuff...like drinking liquid smoke. But then that brand might be considered "offensively" peaty to some...including you? My other favorite Islay is Bunnahabhain, less distinctive but there's something about the flavor that really appeals to me. But I'll drink anything from that island.

Sarge

[Florestan]

Nobody seems to know anything about Nikolaus Bruhns. Even Buxtehude is very obscure to many. Dittersdorf is laughed at for his name. Where is the discussions about the great Benda music family? I think I am the only one here having Philipp Wolfrum's music.

Nobody seems to know anything about Zemlinsky, Magnard, Wetz, Schmidt, Stenhammar or Havergal Brian.

Hey guys, why don't you give us your thoughts on those composers? Works that must be heard, recommended recordings and your own reviews on them?

On-topic: I can understand 71dB's frustration. It seems that the lionshare on this forum is taken by Late Romanticism (particularly Mahler and Bruckner), Top X works for Y instruments and Z vs W. This tends to be boring.

[hornteacher]

I'll chime in and mention that it was 71dBs passion for Elgar that encouraged me to explore his music further.  You've made me see Elgar as more than just the guy we always hear at graduation ceremonies.  My knowledge and appreciation for his work grows daily, and I have you to thank for opening this door.

[Harry]

You're not a Laphroaig drinker, are you? Lovely stuff...like drinking liquid smoke. But then that brand might be considered "offensively" peaty to some...including you? My other favorite Islay is Bunnahabhain, less distinctive but there's something about the flavor that really appeals to me. But I'll drink anything from that island.

Sarge

What is nice is the saltyness of the Laphroaig, and the Bunnahabhain is marvelous, and easy to drink.
Where is my bottle............

[Choo Choo]

You're not a Laphroaig drinker, are you? Lovely stuff...like drinking liquid smoke. But then that brand might be considered "offensively" peaty to some...including you? My other favorite Islay is Bunnahabhain, less distinctive but there's something about the flavor that really appeals to me. But I'll drink anything from that island.

Sarge

Actually I do find Laphroaig just too peaty for my taste, unless well watered - though "offensive" would be overstating it.

Shortly after the wife and I were married, we spent a very happy couple of weeks on Islay and Jura, during which we (naturally) got to visit all the distilleries.  My favourite is Bruichladdich - super-smooth yet still peaty - a near neighbour of both Bunnahabhain and Bowmore: excellent whiskies all.  I still have the remnants of a case I bought on that trip, of what was then 25-year-old and is now very nearly 50-year-old Bruichladdich (been saving it for a *special* occasion. )

[71 dB]

I am a great Elgar admirer too, and have most of his Orchestral works, and I am more than happy to discuss this at lenght!

See you in Elgar's thread. 

It's almost like people where afraid to talk about Elgar and admit they like his works.
Elgarians should be proud of themselves!

And I share his enthusiasm for Buxtehude - to the point that, as a rule, I would greatly prefer to listen to his works than to Bach's.  However I don't think that makes me a superior judge of these things, or means that anyone who disagrees is narrow-minded.  It's a personal preference.  I happen to like a particular Islay whisky - strongly peaty, but not offensively so.  Do I have to taste every other whisky in existence in order to "validate" that preference - or can I just be left alone to enjoy it (please.)

When you have heard many composers you start to see who of them are above the others. I haven't heard all composers, not even close but still I am confident I will never find a composer greater than Elgar.

Hey guys, why don't you give us your thoughts on those composers? Works that must be heard, recommended recordings and your own reviews on them?

Good Idea. 

[Harry]

I'll chime in and mention that it was 71dBs passion for Elgar that encouraged me to explore his music further.  You've made me see Elgar as more than just the guy we always hear at graduation ceremonies.  My knowledge and appreciation for his work grows daily, and I have you to thank for opening this door.

That was very nice of you to say, our friend 71dB will be very pleased about that!

[Harry]

Actually I do find Laphroaig just too peaty for my taste, unless well watered - though "offensive" would be overstating it.

Shortly after the wife and I were married, we spent a very happy couple of weeks on Islay and Jura, during which we (naturally) got to visit all the distilleries.  My favourite is Bruichladdich - super-smooth yet still peaty - a near neighbour of both Bunnahabhain and Bowmore: excellent whiskies all.  I still have the remnants of a case I bought on that trip, of what was then 25-year-old and is now very nearly 50-year-old Bruichladdich (been saving it for a *special* occasion. )

I am on my way!

[Don]

71 dB's problem is not that he loves Elgar's music, but the way he talks about Elgar and those who do not agree with his preferences.  Essentially, he sets himself up as a target, and the board has plenty of folks who love to shoot the targets.

[Harry]

See you in Elgar's thread. 

It's almost like people where afraid to talk about Elgar and admit they like his works.
Elgarians should be proud of themselves!

When you have heard many composers you start to see who of them are above the others. I haven't heard all composers, not even close but still I am confident I will never find a composer greater than Elgar.

Good Idea. 

I don't think so much in above or beneath my friend, but rather if I personally like it or not.
If someone agrees, perfect, if not that's alright too.
So take it easy, still enough left that agree, right?

[71 dB]

I'll chime in and mention that it was 71dBs passion for Elgar that encouraged me to explore his music further.  You've made me see Elgar as more than just the guy we always hear at graduation ceremonies.  My knowledge and appreciation for his work grows daily, and I have you to thank for opening this door.

You are welcome hornteacher! I'm very glad I have been able to open the door for you. That's what I try to do. I am 100 % sure Elgar does not enjoy the popularity he deserves. Of course he isn't for everyone's taste but I am sure many potential Elgarian just haven't found his music. The real Elgar is hidden behind the graduation ceremonies.

[The new erato]

71 dB's problem is not that he loves Elgar's music, but the way he talks about Elgar and those who do not agree with his preferences.  Essentially, he sets himself up as a target, and the board has plenty of folks who love to shoot the targets.

I think that is essentially correct, but a shooting match at a sitting duck isn't that much fun after a while. Aside from that 71 dB has good points to make in this thread .

[Harry]

71 dB's problem is not that he loves Elgar's music, but the way he talks about Elgar and those who do not agree with his preferences.  Essentially, he sets himself up as a target, and the board has plenty of folks who love to shoot the targets.

Right, so cloak your self 71dB!