Top10 compositions that you don't like but everyone else does

[vandermolen]

I also have some doubts that "everyone else" (or even a strong and vocal majority) likes Les Noces or most of Miaskovsky's symphonies

Yes, that's true.

[mc ukrneal]

We can still be mates.

You'll be happy to know that, excluding one composer (and it's not Stravinsky), I can't even fill one hand with pieces I truly dislike. I also feel that unless I've studied a piece in depth, I don't truly dislike it. The Rite, unfortunately, fulfills this requirement. Nearly any other piece I've disliked in life has at least turned to some level of interest as I've learned and spent time understanding various aspects of the work.  It's my belief that most dislike in classical music is driven by a lack of understanding or appreciation of some aspect to the music. I find that too many complaints are because the listener thought a composer didn't do something or should have done something else.

What is also  interesting to me in this thread is the 'story' many seem to impose on works (that they like and dislike). Perhaps that is part of the problem, with the listeners, not the compositions.

[Mister Sharpe]

I also have some doubts that "everyone else" (or even a strong and vocal majority) likes Les Noces or most of Miaskovsky's symphonies

Oh, lordy, that'd be me, Everyman, aka Everyone Else! (although I can understand why some may not enjoy Les Noces, for the life of me I don't get why Miaskovsky's symphonies are not more loved.  I took to them immediately.  Detractors, explain, please). 

[vandermolen]

Oh, lordy, that'd be me, Everyman, aka Everyone Else! (although I can understand why some may not enjoy Les Noces, for the life of me I don't get why Miaskovsky's symphonies are not more loved.  I took to them immediately.  Detractors, explain, please).

I'm with you here but he's not exactly 'popular' - I guess that the eloquent IMHO Cello Concerto and the poetic Symphony 21 have the greatest potential for wide appeal. The Violin Concerto also perhaps.

[SymphonicAddict]

I'm with you here but he's not exactly 'popular' - I guess that the eloquent IMHO Cello Concerto and the poetic Symphony 21 have the greatest potential for wide appeal. The Violin Concerto also perhaps.

For me, the best symphonies are from the 15th onwards (including the 6th). On them, I can feel the true Miaskovsky. Both concertos are good, especially the cello. It's sublime and elegiac.

[Parsifal]

Don't know if 'everyone' likes it, but I find Eine Kleine Nachtmusic of Mozart to be pretty dull.

[vandermolen]

Don't know if 'everyone' likes it, but I find Eine Kleine Nachtmusic of Mozart to be pretty dull.

+1

Doesn't it feature briefly in the movie 'Alien'?

[vandermolen]

For me, the best symphonies are from the 15th onwards (including the 6th). On them, I can feel the true Miaskovsky. Both concertos are good, especially the cello. It's sublime and elegiac.

My favourites are: 3,6,15,16,17,21,23,24,25, 27 - so guess we are pretty much in agreement (again!)

[SymphonicAddict]

My favourites are: 3,6,15,16,17,21,23,24,25, 27 - so guess we are pretty much in agreement (again!)

Definitely yes! 

[PerfectWagnerite]

Any other 10 works by Stravinsky other the the Big Three ballets.

[vandermolen]

Any other 10 works by Stravinsky other the the Big Three ballets.

I largely agree although I like Symphony of Psalms.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Interestingly, those three ballets are usually the only Stravinsky that a large amount of people only know 

Maybe, but there are enough "famous" Stravinsky besides those. I think Pulcinella is also pretty good.

The ones that I especially dislike are Les Noces (just shrill and unlistenable), Soldier's Tale (that and also monotonous), the Violin Concerto, Dumbarton Oaks, The Rakes Progress, Symphony in C, Symphony in 3 Movements. Just really bland stuff all around.

There. Grab your torches and pitchforks and flame away.

[Karl Henning]

Don't know if 'everyone' likes it, but I find Eine Kleine Nachtmusic of Mozart to be pretty dull.

+1

Hang on, now.  Jeffrey, as I understand this, we just transitioned from a Miaskovsky love-fest (!) to . . . the K.525 being, erm, dull?

The thread of course is an invitation to express dislike for any music at all, and so I lodge no objection to folks saying they don't like the K.525.

But whatever adjective one might pejoratively apply to it, I don't think "dull" can apply, at all, at all.

There:  I was obliged to say it.

[vandermolen]

Hang on, now.  Jeffrey, as I understand this, we just transitioned from a Miaskovsky love-fest (!) to . . . the K.525 being, erm, dull?

The thread of course is an invitation to express dislike for any music at all, and so I lodge no objection to folks saying they don't like the K.525.

But whatever adjective one might pejoratively apply to it, I don't think "dull" can apply, at all, at all.

There:  I was obliged to say it.

Hi Karl,
I hardly ever listen to Mozart which I know is my loss. He clearly was one of the great composers of all time it's just that I don't (yet?) appreciate his music other than the lovely Clarinet Concerto. Steering away now from the Miaskovsky love-fest another very popular work that I don't like is Handel's 'Messiah'. My brother is a great admirer of it however.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

I do listen to Mozart but far less nowadays than I used to. But about 6 years ago he was my 2nd favorite composer. His minor key works are usually the ones that have the most distinct sound, IMO. The major key works are more often (though not always) dull. I like Eine Kleine Nachtmusik just fine though, with the exception of Menuetto, which is IMO the only movement in the work that really does sound dull.

[Karl Henning]

Hi Karl,
I hardly ever listen to Mozart which I know is my loss. He clearly was one of the great composers of all time it's just that I don't (yet?) appreciate his music other than the lovely Clarinet Concerto.

No one is obliged to listen to Mozart, of course!

I have an old pianist friend who despises Mozart.  Not sure that I see the point, but the fact cannot be denied.

[Florestan]

"The man that hath no [Mozart] in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted."

[nodogen]

"The man that hath no [Mozart] in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted."

What if a woman does not like Mozart? 🙃

[Florestan]

What if a woman does not like Mozart? 🙃

No problem at all afaIc! 

[Maestro267]

1-10. Any 10 works written before Beethoven's time. Beethoven was when music got the kick up the backside it needed and started to get interesting.