Your own five favorites to listen to, versus the five you think are greatest

[karlhenning]

So how do (we) change this?  If 95% of the Music History literature and such imply that 8 out of the 10 Greatest are German Composers, how do we change that mindset?

We don't. 

Thus, Capt Beefheart's real name is Don van Vliet, which is of Dutch origin;  and the Netherlands is country neighboring Germany . . . .

[MN Dave]

We don't. 


Thus, Capt Beefheart's real name is Don van Vliet, which is of Dutch origin;  and the Netherlands is country neighboring Germany . . . .

The circle is completed...or something.  0:)

[karlhenning]

The circle is completed...or something.  0:)

Bulbous, also tapered.

[BachQ]

Fine.  But there is a difference between factors which you consciously bring to the table, today, and factors which have directly or indirectly informed your path to this point.

To the extent one can be AWARE OF those factors which historically have subconsciously/indirectly had an influence on that person's preferences, and speaking only for myself, nationality has NEVER played any role whatsoever in my composer hierarchy ........ and frankly I cannot fathom why it would be important to anyone .........

Some things are simply irrelevant per se ........... and nationality is among them ...........

[karlhenning]

To the extent one can be AWARE OF those factors which historically have subconsciously/indirectly had an influence on that person's preferences, and speaking only for myself, nationality has NEVER played any role whatsoever in my composer hierarchy ........ and frankly I cannot fathom why it would be important to anyone .........

Some things are simply irrelevant per se ........... and nationality is among them ...........

Right.

Which is why I sought to explain my own thoughts, rather than take up what was the essentially misdirected invitation to state "acceptable ethnic quotas" for the "top 5" berths.

Your sensible concerns here, BTW, are not on a direct axis with one of my earlier statements, that when the five greatest composers are all from the same narrow postage stamp of ground, and yet many other countries have flourishing and rich musical traditions, there is an obvious imbalance.

[MN Dave]

Your sensible concerns here, BTW, are not on a direct axis with one of my earlier statements, that when the five greatest composers are all from the same narrow postage stamp of ground, and yet many other countries have flourishing and rich musical traditions, there is an obvious imbalance.

It is not a postage stamp. It is an OCEAN!  0:)

[Haffner]

I just think it more helpful, earlier on, to call them "five great composers' rather than "The Five Greatest Composers of All Time."

This is a virtuous idea.

Now that you mention it, I've been putting off Bartok forever, it's high time I got a grip and checked out those String Quartets.

[Haffner]

I must admit, though I'm a mutt my listening is overwhelmingly Teutonic. But I'm being properly initiated into Tchaikovsky, Martinu, and Dvorak, so there's hope yet.

_{^{maybe (laughing)}}

[BachQ]

But I'm being properly initiated into Tchaikovsky, Martinu, and Dvorak, so there's hope yet.

Nationality is irrelevant.

[Haffner]

Nationality is irrelevant.

Works in d minor are internationally understood.

[MN Dave]

Nationality is irrelevant.

Germany was a hotbed of irrelevance.

[karlhenning]

Nationality is irrelevant.

You mean, they could be German or Austrian? 

[MN Dave]

You don't have to be German to be a great composer, but it couldn't hurt! 

[BachQ]

You mean, they could be German or Austrian? 

  [Coffee spewed on keyboard .........]

[not edward]

Apparently the top 5 is Clash of the Teutons.

[MN Dave]

Apparently the top 5 is Clash of the Teutons.

Yes, or The Grand Teutons.

[karlhenning]

Teuton Comin'! (Compose Like an Egyptian)

[not edward]

Teuton your own horn, perhaps?

[karlhenning]

Yer Darned Teuton

[ChamberNut]

Teu days later after eating a healthy amount of Indian food, I'm still teutin'.