Great composers that are not your cup of tea

[71 dB]

Sure, but I'm sure we can enjoy almost all of them if we make the effort. We're all influenced by non-musical reasons (me included). Our mind is not free

I could always make the (mental) effort but I don't have time nor money for that. There's about 100 times more good music in the world than I could ever listen to or buy/loan/steel/download/whatever. My love for the music of Elgar and obsession of baroque music AND several other music genres limits my possibilities to use time and money on less interesting composers. Lately I have used money and time for world music and excellent Swedish pop music.

[Harry]

I could always make the (mental) effort but I don't have time nor money for that. There's about 100 times more good music in the world than I could ever listen to or buy/loan/steel/download/whatever. My love for the music of Elgar and obsession of baroque music AND several other music genres limits my possibilities to use time and money on less interesting composers. Lately I have used money and time for world music and excellent Swedish pop music.

So long as you think it not wasted, my friend it will lead you unharmed through your buying expeditions.

[Florestan]

Now, for all my magnanimity, I still say:

Brahms rules!

But you're free to disobey him any time! 

[Harry]

Well you know.......I agree with that staement!

[karlhenning]

After reading this I feel no oblication to like Mahler, Bruckner and Sibelius.

One the one hand, you are simply, perfectly right:  you are under nothing like an "obligation."

But you must understand, that also means that the rest of the world is under no obligation (for instance) to like Elgar.  It especially means that that portion of the world, who do like the best of Elgar, are under no obligation to think otherwise than that the Starlight Express and the Bavarian Dances are sonic cheese.

Just saying . . . .

[karlhenning]

The second piano concerto is much easier on the ear, and better married in terms of orchestral/piano balance.
Therefore I have to find performances that play it lucid, with pert tempi, and internal balance so that I will be able to hear all without the score.

Gosh, Harry, come to Boston;  the BSO is accompanying the First Concerto next weekend, and I think that positive experience is all you need to become a Certified Brahms Piano Concerto Maniac! 

[Christo]

Now, for all my magnanimity, I still say:

Braga Santos rules!

But you're free to disobey him any time! 

Thanks, I totally agree!

[Florestan]

Thanks, I totally agree!

Hey, that's not nice at all, Christo! You are free to quote me, but please, don't put words in my mouth!

[Christo]

You are free to quote me, but please, always put your own words in my mouth!

Thnx, I'll remember the generous offer :-)

[Florestan]

Richard Strauss one vast emptiness for me

Robert Schumann heard never anything not trivial by him

You know, my friend, in music everyone finds what s/he brings

[Hector]

Such a coincidence!  That very image plagues me whenever I listen to Rach 2 . . . . . . .

I always see them making love with their clothes on in a darkened waiting room.

"Was it alright for you darling?"

"But was it alright for you?"

"I asked first, was it alri...oh,oh, I've think I've come, darling."

And the concerto tinkles away in the background. The Hatto version, I think.

Another: Hans Huber.

                          The greatest Swiss composer

                                                                  since the last greatest

                                                                                                  Swiss composer.

Listen, and be amazed

                             at the insomniac curing abilities

                                                                      of this famous (in his own country?)

                                                                                                                      Swiz.

The complete symphonies are available, post free, at jpc for 54 euros.

                                                                                           He would have written a ninth if he could have managed to stay awake

David Hurwitz gives them a 9/9. 'Nuff said?

[Christo]

You know, my friend, in music everyone finds what s/he brings

No doubt, no doubt! At least that confirms what my wife always says.

But still: is there such a thing as German music after Beethoven? To me it remains a strange case, this 'Land ohne Musik' for almost two centuries by now. (Though I admire German literature and German culture in general, I cannot find music in its environment - and the meagre attempts to create something of the kind by e.g. Schumann, Brahms, Richard Strauss and also Max Reger illustrate that tragic lacuna only, for me :-)

[Harry]

Gosh, Harry, come to Boston;  the BSO is accompanying the First Concerto next weekend, and I think that positive experience is all you need to become a Certified Brahms Piano Concerto Maniac! 

O, I dearly wish that Boston & Brahms!
Takes a 2 weeks to get a visa!

[Florestan]

But still: is there such a thing as German music after Beethoven?

Of course there is. But as I said, you are under no obligation to enjoy it.

But I'm curious: what post-Beethoven music do you enjoy?

[Christo]

Of course there is. But as I said, you are under no obligation to enjoy it.

But I'm curious: what post-Beethoven music do you enjoy?

Well, to be precise: almost everything! And even more in detail: the large majority of the many hundreds of Russian, Ukrainian, Czech, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, British, Scandinavian, Baltic, Swiss, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Turkish, Greek, Israeli, American, Australian, New Zealand, Brazilian, Argentian, Mexican, and many more - composers that I happen to know.

Far less so the Germans I just mentioned, and partly the same applies to some French 20th century music (though I'm fond of all French music from Berlioz untill Tailleferre). So what happened to the Germans? Somehow, they developed an over-academic style that doesn't appeal to me, from indeed Brahms untill Rihm.

[Guido]

I have a struggle with most of Chopin and also most of Prokofiev. I recognise their greatness and appreciate a few of their works alot, but in general I find both of their music difficult to listen to - and dare I say it? boring Well perhaps thats not fair, but both I find have little emotional effect on me generally, and the emotions always seem quite cold in both. Don't know why I am lumping them together but the music affects me (or rather doesn't) in the same way... I'll keep trying though!

[71 dB]

I have a struggle with most of Chopin and also most of Prokofiev. I recognise their greatness and appreciate a few of their works alot, but in general I find both of their music difficult to listen to - and dare I say it? boring Well perhaps thats not fair, but both I find have little emotional effect on me generally, and the emotions always seem quite cold in both. Don't know why I am lumping them together but the music affects me (or rather doesn't) in the same way... I'll keep trying though!

That's pretty much what I feel about Shosta (Piano Quintet excluded!).

[Siedler]

How can Prokofiev or Shostakovich be boring? 

[karlhenning]

How can Prokofiev or Shostakovich be boring? 

Hear, hear!

[Guido]

Shostakovich I don't find remotely boring, but the pieces I have heard of Prokofiev's usually seem prolix, the material's qulaity almost accidental (its either very good, or quite bland), and there's a sort of facileness that I can't quite pu my finger on...

I'm probably completly wrong, or its the result of hearing bad performances, or not concentrating hard enough... Do suggest pieces that would provide a good crash course in his style and convince me of his greatness. He's in my 'favourite era' so logically I should like him! I am fond of the Symphony Concerto for Cello, and also the sweet concertino and the lovely Cello Sonata, but the first piece especially just seems to long... I find it tiring to listen to, and I'm a cello nut!