Have You Ever Experienced Radical Changes in Your Musical Taste?

[steve ridgway]

Yeah but classical music IS a kind of religion. It even made an attempt to turn into a kind of mysticism around the turn of the 20th century.

It may well evoke thoughts and feelings akin to religion and mysticism but I wouldn't confuse that with worshipping the composers or music itself.

[Florestan]

Any music more complex than ringtone is esoteric and elitist these days.

That is mere rhetoric, demonstrably false. Exhibit A, Andre Rieu.

[AnotherSpin]

That is mere rhetoric, demonstrably false. Exhibit A, Andre Rieu.

Who's that?

[Florestan]

Who's that?

The living refutation of your claim.

[AnotherSpin]

The living refutation of your claim.

Your argument escapes me, probably because I have no idea what you are talking about. But it doesn't matter. Back to elitist music, Beethoven this time.

[Florestan]

I have no idea what you are talking about.

I find it hard to believe that you have no idea who Andre Rieu is, but if such be the case, then he is a classically-trained Dutch violinist who made himself stinking rich by playing in huge sold-out venues, and selling millions of copies of, music more complex than ringtones. Youtube will give you a very good idea of what I'm talking about.

[DavidW]

There is a difference between the effort required to record a Chopin piece and a Wagner opera. Operas are performed and recorded less frequently with every year. Who'd be surprised.

A nice thing that I just discovered is that Idagio has recordings of live performances of operas with both audio and video.  Just FYI if you use them.

[vers la flamme]

Believe it or not, I have also never heard of this Andre Rieu.

[Florestan]

Believe it or not, I have also never heard of this Andre Rieu.

What planet are you living on, guys? 

He's been discussed here as well: https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,18594.0.html

And if his name is too esoteric (pun), then how about The Three Tenors or Yo-Yo Ma? They have all become popular (maybe too popular for some tastes) by performing music which is more complex than ringtones.

 

[DavidW]

What planet are you living on, guys? 

I think Vers is just young.  He probably also hasn't heard of Pavarotti!

[Florestan]

I think Vers is just young.  He probably also hasn't heard of Pavarotti!

 

[71 dB]

Believe it or not, I have also never heard of this Andre Rieu.

I had not heard about this Andre Rieu either. I Googled him and he is some kind of waltz violinist. Explains well why I had not heard about him.

[ritter]

Who's that?

Believe it or not, I have also never heard of this Andre Rieu.

I had not heard about this Andre Rieu either. I Googled him and he is some kind of waltz violinist. Explains well why I had not heard about him.

"Blessed are [those who do not know AR]; for they shall be comforted".

That's true. Wagner turned opera outside down, from a democratic and popular entertainment into and esoteric and elitist religious ritual of the happy few.

O ciel! Che noia!!!!

At least you now call us "happy". I seem to recall we were all grim and sour (or words to that effect).

Good afternoon, Andrei!

[Florestan]

At least you now call us "happy". I seem to recall we wre all grim and sour (or words to that effect).

One man's happiness is another man's torment. 

Goof afternoon, Andrei!

Buenas tardes, Rafael.

[AnotherSpin]

A nice thing that I just discovered is that Idagio has recordings of live performances of operas with both audio and video.  Just FYI if you use them.

Thanks for the recommendation. I caught the golden age of opera and have listened to a lot of it over the years.  I am less attracted to opera now. I do enjoy a good Verdi or Puccini recording from time to time though. Wagner is a special case, the interest in him is only growing.

I tried Idagio, even was subscribed. But, cancelled, it doesn't work with streamer as Qobuz does.

[AnotherSpin]

I find it hard to believe that you have no idea who Andre Rieu is, but if such be the case, then he is a classically-trained Dutch violinist who made himself stinking rich by playing in huge sold-out venues, and selling millions of copies of, music more complex than ringtones. Youtube will give you a very good idea of what I'm talking about.

The name sounds familiar to me. But I don't remember listening to him. Does he play guitar? Tap dance? Must be something democratic, accessible to the masses, not infected with elitism, if you are so insistent on promoting him.

[Spotted Horses]

Let's end the conceit of not knowing who Andre Rieu is. He's a classically trained musician who has taken to playing Strauss Waltzes and related repertoire with his own orchestra, consisting mostly of ladies in ballroom gowns. He says he decided to do this because he saw how happy the music made his audience (well, and because he made a mint).

[Florestan]

The name sounds familiar to me. But I don't remember listening to him. Does he play guitar? Tap dance? Must be something democratic, accessible to the masses, not infected with elitism, if you are so insistent on promoting him.

I don't remember promoting him. You claimed that any music more complex than ringtones is elitist these days so I gave you an example of a man who become hugely popular precisely by performing music more complex than ringtones, thus refuting your rhetorical statement. That is all. But as I said in a previous post, forget about Rieu. How about The Three Tenors? Yo-Yo Ma? David Garrett? Montserrat Caballe? They all become popular worldwide precisely for, and by, performing music more complex than ringtones, and they all give the lie to your claim.

[Lisztianwagner]

I want to put in a good word for those users who don't know André Rieu, as a matter of fact it's hard to hear his name if someone isn't a great fan of the Strauss Family.

[Spotted Horses]

I'm not particularly a fan of Andre Rieu, but I don't hold him in the contempt that seems to be the norm here. He is a competent violinist (although solo violin lines in Strauss Waltzes are not tests of virtuosity) and he knows how to ham up a Waltz. I don't see his performances any less appropriate than a stuffy concert in the Großer Musikvereinssaal packed with wealthy people in tuxedos.