"100 Greatest Symphonies"

[Philoctetes]

Well I wouldn't give a damn if it would not make me feel bad. If it was a joke it was a bad one.

Why should it hurt you? You don't know him or her? He or she should be irrelevant. Like what you like. Dislike what you dislike. I think the formula is really pretty simple.

[71 dB]

Why should it hurt you? You don't know him or her? He or she should be irrelevant. Like what you like. Dislike what you dislike. I think the formula is really pretty simple.

Because I am a human being, not a robot. Many are shocked and hurt when I tell what I think about Beethoven's orchestration skills.

Anyway, I am curious about Franck's D minor. Many seem to like it.

[Philoctetes]

Because I am a human being, not a robot. Many are shocked and hurt when I tell what I think about Beethoven's orchestration skills.

Anyway, I am curious about Franck's D minor. Many seem to like it.

Do you think I'm not human? I don't think any are hurt by your thoughts about Beethoven. Don't overestimate yourself.

I found it very enjoyable.

[71 dB]

Do you think I'm not human? I don't think any are hurt by your thoughts about Beethoven. Don't overestimate yourself.

I found it very enjoyable.

You must be human because artificial intelligence that good does not exist yet. I don't overestimate myself, it is a fact people have been shocked because of my opinions (they have been drinking morning coffee while reading my post and...)

Franck D minor next year, I hope...

[PerfectWagnerite]

Hmm I went out for a few hours and look where this discussion has gone.

Anyway 71dB you shouldn't really ask a rhetorical question like: Am I an idiot because ....?
Then you are just asking for it.

Okay it was a bad joke, sorry.

[Marc]

I ask because I have learned that in the world of classical music majority/historical tradition defines how things are, not people who think differently.

Then maybe you've learned wrong, because it is a simplifying generalization. As George pointed out:

Not so. Beethoven sure thought differently.

AND Mahler thought differently, too. He had his admirers, and thanks to f.i. Willem Mengelberg, Bruno Walter and Otto Klemperer his music stayed on the performing agendas. But Mahler's music only became very very popular after plusminus 1960 and the increasing amount of good stereo recordings by f.i. Bernstein, Abravanel, Haitink and Kubelik.
During his lifetime, Mahler was mostly admired for his conducting skills and opera interpretations.

In Beethoven's time, people (including 'real' music lovers) preferred to go to operas and concerts by resp. Rossini and Paganini.

As said by many other members before (I guess):
I like Elgar the most is another statement than Elgar is the best composer of all times. Period.
The first statement is a fact, the second statement is an opinion. And people can disagree with an opinion. So just relax and enjoy as much Elgar and Nielsen as you like. People who dislike Elgar may have their reasons for that. Maybe they just expect something else from 'good' music.
Let them enjoy their Beethoven and/or Mahler.

I must admit though, that I listened to some more Elgar the last year-and-a-half, thankx to the interesting threads about him. So I should thank you for that!

[Don]

However, many other seem to be trapped to the silly thought that Elgar is a clown in British music history and are unable to enjoy his music. Sad.

There's no evidence that many think Elgar a clown.  For a long time now, you've been thinking that depreciating remarks about you also apply to Elgar, and that's simply not true.  Elgar is generally considered one of the major British composers; you are considered the clown for the ridiculous statements you have made over the past many months. 

[M forever]

I don't care if liking Elgar makes me an idiot.

That has nothing to do with "liking Elgar". Just being yourself is enough.

Many are shocked and hurt when I tell what I think about Beethoven's orchestration skills.

Nobody is "hurt or shocked" by your "free-thinking". I think it's more a feeling of pity that most people have when they read your posts.

I don't understand why you insist on making a fool out of yourself publically. Most of the contributions you post about sound engineering, when that comes up, show that you have some solid knowledge in that area. However, when it comes to music, you really have next to nothing of interest to say. As an engineer, you should know that it is important that you actually understand what you are talking about. Which you don't, when it comes to music. You are just contributing noise. There is nothing shocking about that. It's just annoying. And boring.

[M forever]

Many are shocked and hurt when I tell what I think about Beethoven's orchestration skills.

Anyway, I am curious about Franck's D minor. Many seem to like it.

Yes, but you are a revolutionary and shocking "free-thinker". So what do you care what many others like or not?

[RebLem]

D'Indy's symphonies often go unmentioned, but they are well worth the time. Think of them like Mahler, but much more lush, and bigger.

Now that I think a little more about it, the Chausson Symphony if B Flat is pretty good, too.

[71 dB]

I like Elgar the most is another statement than Elgar is the best composer of all times. Period.
The first statement is a fact, the second statement is an opinion. And people can disagree with an opinion. So just relax and enjoy as much Elgar and Nielsen as you like. People who dislike Elgar may have their reasons for that. Maybe they just expect something else from 'good' music.
Let them enjoy their Beethoven and/or Mahler.

Well, Beethoven has composed amazing music (string quartets) but as a symphonist I don't enjoy him as much as I enjoy Elgar or Nielsen.

I must admit though, that I listened to some more Elgar the last year-and-a-half, thankx to the interesting threads about him. So I should thank you for that!

That's good to hear Marc. 

[Philoctetes]

Now that I think a little more about it, the Chausson Symphony if B Flat is pretty good, too.

Yeah, for some reason those two are seemingly always overlooked. Perhaps because they really weren't considered symphonic composers. All very lovely though; their music that is.

[karlhenning]

Now that I think a little more about it, the Chausson Symphony if B Flat is pretty good, too.

I should revisit it; very nice recording on the Mercury Living Presence reissue of Paul Paray and the Detroiters.

Honestly (and nice though I do remember the music), I don't recall being impressed with it to such a degree that I should be indignant over its omission from a "100 Greatest" list.

[Philoctetes]

I should revisit it; very nice recording on the Mercury Living Presence reissue of Paul Paray and the Detroiters.

Honestly (and nice though I do remember the music), I don't recall being impressed with it to such a degree that I should be indignant over its omission from a "100 Greatest" list.

One always has a cause for indignation.

[karlhenning]

Well, Beethoven has composed amazing music (string quartets) but as a symphonist I don't enjoy him as much as I enjoy Elgar or Nielsen.

Well, you may not enjoy the symphonies as well as you do other composers.  But Beethoven's symphonies are amazing for their time;  and while one doesn't need to hear them every year at Symphony, they are certainly enjoyable listening from time to time.

[karlhenning]

One always has a cause for indignation.

Not everyone.

[Philoctetes]

Not everyone.

That sounds a bit indignant.

[greg]

They sure do, and the popularity of American Idol is sufficient evidence.  If I had to listen every day to the crap music they play on that show, I'd need physical restraints.

lol love this post
i used to watch that show with my family every night, mainly for the first part of the season just because it was funny to watch the bad singers and Simon's reaction.

but listening to the music, i just can't help but be mystified at how anyone is even moved emotionally by this stuff.

[greg]

Well, you may not enjoy the symphonies as well as you do other composers.  But Beethoven's symphonies are amazing for their time;  and while one doesn't need to hear them every year at Symphony, they are certainly enjoyable listening from time to time.

yeah, don't listen too much or you just might drive yourself insane 


(dodges a thousand bullets and several army tanks)

[ChamberNut]

It's impossible to say, since there are new symphonies being written by modern composers each day.