My string quartet

[Rod Corkin]

If you really believe that most of classical music is "utter crap", that's a good indication that you don't love classical music. 

I don't love everything played on a fiddle just because it is played on a fiddle. It is clear many people just like the sound of classical music, whatever it is, and there is little or no intellectual engagement on their part during this process. Not me, I actually listen to it, and if you actually listen to it you will hear a lot of crap. A casual listen to the UK's Classic FM  radio demonstrate how much crap music has been written. 

[(poco) Sforzando]

I don't love everything played on a fiddle just because it is played on a fiddle. It is clear many people just like the sound of classical music, whatever it is, and there is little or no intellectual engagement on their part during this process. Not me, I actually listen to it, and if you actually listen to it you will hear a lot of crap. A casual listen to the UK's Classic FM  radio demonstrate how much crap music has been written. 

Why don't you tell us a few examples of what you consider "crap."

[Rod Corkin]

Why don't you tell us a few examples of what you consider "crap."

don't want to... 

[Topaz]

don't want to... 

How do you reconcile your antipathy to all composers except Beethoven and Handel with running a Board which purports to be one for discussing and generally appreciating Classical Music in general?  I imagine you must spend a lot of time feeling quite uncomfortable.

[Rod Corkin]

How do you reconcile your antipathy to all composers except Beethoven and Handel with running a Board which purports to be one for discussing and generally appreciating Classical Music in general?  I imagine you must spend a lot of time feeling quite uncomfortable.

I never said 'all'. I said there is the top of the tree, then there are the runners up and then the crap. I never feel uncomfortable, nothing is censored at my site, unlike all the other sites I am or have been a member of.

[(poco) Sforzando]

don't want to... 

So blustering, sputtering Rod becomes flustering, muttering Rod when challenged to put his money where his mouth is.

[Topaz]

I never said 'all'. I said there is the top of the tree, then there are the runners up and then the crap. I never feel uncomfortable, nothing is censored at my site, unlike all the other sites I am or have been a member of.

I think many people will admit to having a hierachy of favourite composers.  For most, however, there seems to be a much more gradual tapering off in their enthusiasm (and tolerance of others), whereas in your case it seems that Beethoven and Handel are deemed to be so much higher in quality that the rest don't really compare.  You haven't said how many runners up there in your preference system, and why suddenly after that everything falls into the crap depatment.  Why don't you tell us, for example, what you think of the major works of Schubert, Schumann or Brahms? Is all that crap or runner material?   Also, is it true that the main candidate you perceive as challenging the greatness of Beethoven is Mozart, and that this is really why you have encouraged a certain gentleman to continue his denigratory campaign against Mozart on your Board?

[(poco) Sforzando]

I think many people will admit to having a hierachy of favourite composers.  For most, however, there seems to be a much more gradual tapering off in their enthusiasm (and tolerance of others), whereas in your case it seems that Beethoven and Handel are deemed to be so much higher in quality that the rest don't really compare.  You haven't said how many runners up there in your preference system, and why suddenly after that everything falls into the crap depatment.  Why don't you tell us, for example, what you think of the major works of Schubert, Schumann or Brahms? Is all that crap or runner material?   Also, is it true that the main candidate you perceive as challenging the greatness of Beethoven is Mozart, and that this is really why you have encouraged a certain gentleman to continue his denigratory campaign against Mozart on your Board?

Rod has already told us that the operas of Mozart are "unmemorable" (while every opera of Handel is, naturally, full of hit tunes). To the former statement I replied, "if they're so unmemorable, how is it I can play long stretches of several of them at the piano from memory"?

[BachQ]

Why don't you tell us, for example, what you think of the major works of Schubert, Schumann or Brahms? Is all that crap or runner material? 

We would love to hear your criticisms of Brahms, Corky ......... Let 'er rip .........

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

It was very early in the morning, the streets clean and deserted, I was on my way to the railroad station. As I compared the tower clock with my watch I realized it was already much later than I had thought, I had to hurry, the shock of this discovery made me feel uncertain of the way, I was not very well acquainted with the town yet, fortunately there was a policeman nearby, I ran to him and breathlessly asked him the way. He smiled and said: 'From me you want to learn the way?' 'Yes,' I said, 'since I cannot find it myself.' 'Give it up, give it up,' said he, and turned away with a great sweep, like someone who wants to be alone with his laughter.

Franz Kafka, "Give It Up"

Stalemates can't be resolved. In chess, people stop, pick up the pieces and the board, and leave.

[Rod Corkin]

Rod has already told us that the operas of Mozart are "unmemorable" (while every opera of Handel is, naturally, full of hit tunes).

Everything is relative! You may remember Mozart but after I hear Handel's operas Mozart's thin barely perceptible melodies pale into insignificance. But if you want to read my various critical assessments you know where to go, I'm not repeating it all here (or search out my Bach/Handel topic here from the archives for a little taster!). Anyway this topic is supposed to be about my quartet! 

[karlhenning]

Anyway this topic is supposed to be about my quartet!

Not much of a thread, befitting not much of a quartet. Not much of a thread originator.

[MN Dave]

Not much of a thread, befitting not much of a quartet. Not much of a thread originator.

It's not the substance, it's the length.

[Rod Corkin]

It's not the substance, it's the length.

Feel the quality... 

[Haffner]

_{^{blows coffee all over the keyboard}}

[Rod Corkin]

_{^{blows coffee all over the keyboard}}

Wipe it up then, or you'll get sticky fingers.

[Szykneij]

Wipe it up then, or you'll get sticky fingers.

[Rod Corkin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFZBaUEAPBg

[DavidRoss]

You may remember Mozart but after I hear Handel's operas Mozart's thin barely perceptible melodies pale into insignificance.

Some of the wackos who frequent this joint are so obnoxious I wish they would just go away, but you, dear Rod, are a fount of mirth.  Victor Borge might be funnier, but you run a close second.  Do you play the piano?


edited to correct a fishy typo

[karlhenning]

Indeed. Rod the desiccated worm, presuming to relegate Mozart to "insignificance," is irony on a cosmic scale.