Brahms sucks. Who should take his place in the 3 Bs?

[Karl Henning]

No love for Babyface? . . .

[neoshredder]

Maybe Bartok? And Brahms doesn't suck btw.

[springrite]

I have not heard a note of his works, but read today a rave review of an opera composed by a certain George Benjamin.

Should he be added to the list?

He is quite good, as is Lee Benjamin, I think from down under.

[The Six]

And thus loses all credibility.

One can not care for the music, but not to recognize the gift in the music:  that is a pitiable lapse in acumen.

I suppose I should say it now: Hugo Wolf and Tchaikovsky lose all their credibility, then, because everything I've said about Brahms in this thread is paraphrased from their own critiques of him. They had quite a way with words!

[Marc]

[....] I think I could survive the 2nd PC coupled with one of the symphonies.

I'd even ask for an encore!
Like a repeat of the Allegro appassionato from that 2nd piano concerto.

Instead of the Three B's, let's make it into the B52's!

Good idea. I like the B52's.

And Brahms doesn't suck at all.
Although nowadays I listen a bit more to f.i. Byrd, Buxtehude, Böhm and Bruhns.

[Brahmsian]

I can still sleep at night if one or several people (or even millions) think Brahms' music sucks. 

He'll always remain one of favourite composers.

[Karl Henning]

Well, you're no Tchaikovsky.

Indeed. Tchaikovsky's credibility is his work.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Well, you're no Tchaikovsky.

[Brahmsian]

Indeed. Tchaikovsky's credibility is his work.

+1.

Many (if not most or all) my favourite composers have said some ridiculous things about other composers.

This does not reflect on the credibility of their own works.

[Karl Henning]

IIRC, Tchaikovsky's remark was written in a diary -- not broadcast in a public forum.

That Tchaikovsky: more and more credible all the time . . . .

[The Six]

+1.

Many (if not most or all) my favourite composers have said some ridiculous things about other composers.

This does not reflect on the credibility of their own works.

It wasn't ridiculous to them. And their opinions hold as much credibility with or without their own personal body of work.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

It wasn't ridiculous to them. And their opinions hold as much credibility with or without their own personal body of work.

Name dropping doesn't matter. It's POSTERITY that counts. And posterity has smashed Tchaikovsky's and Wolf's opinions into dust.

[Karl Henning]

Anyway, let's say again:  Tchaikovsky writes something in his diary.

On another occasion, he and Brahms meet socially, and get on quite well.

So what is "Tchaikovsky's opinion":  something he got off his chest in his diary one day, or how he felt after spending time with Brahms?

Just because this is an Internet forum, we needn't think of these things in as shallow a manner as, well, the Internet.  We mustn't be afraid of a little nuance and thought.

[The Six]

Considering what else Tchaikovsky and Wolf left to us, their opinions of Brahms is not among the most important.

Well, nothing is really important. But we'll still talk. And it's because of other composers' oeuvre that we may hold their opinions in high regard, yet that doesn't stop us from readily dismissing select ones when we feel we the need to.

[springrite]

Now, is this discussion going anywhere?

[Dungeon Master]

I have just one thing to say:

Brahms: Intermezzo in A major, op.118 no.2, Murray Perahia

Nuf sed.

[springrite]

Someone should start a thread called "Busy Little B's" so we can talk about someone other than the Three B's.

Feel free to consider Brahms a "Busy Little B" if you like.

I'd nominate Bowen and von Bulow.

[Sergeant Rock]

I have just one thing to say:

Brahms: Intermezzo in A major, op.118 no.2, Murray Perahia

Nuf sed.

The God of the Forum has spoken. Lock this thread.

Sarge

[springrite]

The God of the Forum has spoken. Lock this thread.

Sarge

I thought The Master's avatar was his nominations!

[bhodges]

The God of the Forum has spoken. Lock this thread.

Sarge

0:)

Back in 2008 I wrote an article for Juilliard on a recording of Brahms' clarinet sonatas, ending with "Now and then I run into someone who doesn't care for Brahms. Hearing a recording like this, one can only wonder, how is that possible?"

http://www.juilliard.edu/journal/electronic-duets-dazzle-brahms-his-autumnal-glory

--Bruce