Claude Debussy versus Burt Bacharach

[karlhenning]

Whose music of these two composers do you find more interesting, taking the word 'interesting' to mean exhibiting the bare minimum of energy to keep you awake through to the end?

For me undoubtedly it's Burt Bacharach. The theme to the 1981 Oscar-winning movie Arthur alone will do it.

I also believe that between the two of them, Bacharach has a much better chance of enduring in the repertory.

[Lethevich]

Debussy's compositional process takes too much mental effort to understand next to Burt Bacharach, this is a sign that Debussy's music is too academic and theoretical next to the sublime and direct emotional power of Bacharach.

[some guy]

Burt Bacharach is an all-American boy whose music will endure throughout the centuries.

Claude Debussy is some foreign guy, European or possibly French.

Besides, if you look carefully, you can see the word "Bach" in Burt's last name, Bach being one of the best composers ever.

Plus, Burt is related on his mother's cousins granduncle's sister's side to Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern- schplenden- schlitter- crasscrenbon- fried- digger- dingle- dangle- dongle- dungle- burstein- von- knacker- thrasher- apple- banger- horowitz- ticolensic- grander- knotty- spelltinkle- grandlich- grumblemeyer- spelterwasser- kurstlich- himbleeisen- bahnwagen- gutenabend- bitte- ein- nürnburger- bratwustle- gerspurten- mitz- weimache- luber- hundsfut- gumberaber- shönedanker- kalbsfleisch- mittler- aucher von Hautkopft of Ulm, from whom he learned everything he knows about composing.

[M forever]

Both are mentioned by Monty Python, so I would say they rank about equal as far as cultural importance and influence is concerned.

[Kullervo]

Well Burt Bacharach did the score for Casino Royale, and David Niven's character enjoys playing Debussy, so I'd say they're pretty even.

Even so, neither of them touch John Williams. 

[M forever]

That's a silly comparison, since neither of them played the guitar. Or actually, I think, Debussy did, didn't he?

[Lethevich]

That's a silly comparison, since neither of them played the guitar. Or actually, I think, Debussy did, didn't he?

Even if he did, Burt Bacharach would be a better player because he comes from the most awesome and free country in the world - Debussy is just an envious liberty-hating European.

[The new erato]

Even if he did, Burt Bacharach would be a better player because he comes from the most awesome and free country in the world - Debussy is just an envious liberty-hating European.

Yes, but Burt is tainted - he studied with Darius Milhaud in Europe.

[Wanderer]

...because he comes from the most awesome and free country in the world...

No he doesn't, he's American.

[Lethevich]

No he doesn't, he's American.

Ahh, you'll go to hell for saying that

[karlhenning]

How could any sensible person not feel that Debussy's music would have benefited greatly, if the composer had looked at himself in the mirror, and asked, "Claude-Achille, what do you get when you fall in love?"

[karlhenning]

Debussy, mentioned by Monty Python? I forget . . . .

Bacharach appears in The Meaning of Life (as, if you reflect upon it, he must), of course.

[karlhenning]

Debussy's compositional process takes too much mental effort to understand next to Burt Bacharach, this is a sign that Debussy's music is too academic and theoretical next to the sublime and direct emotional power of Bacharach.

True, Sara;  still, the subtleties (one might almost say, the aristocratic sensuality) of Bacharach's musical language only unfold upon repeated listenings.  He's not just sonic bathwater.

[lukeottevanger]

Debussy, mentioned by Monty Python? I forget . . . .

Bacharach appears in The Meaning of Life (as, if you reflect upon it, he must), of course.

...Burt just writes the tunes, only now, he's married to Carole Bayer Sager...

BUT, there's an S in Debussy, which I think makes him a philosopher.

[Szykneij]

What might have been for Debussy had Dionne Warwick lived in another time and place ...

[Kullervo]

What might have been for Debussy had Dionne Warwick lived in another time and place ...

Je dis une peu prière pour vous?

[Szykneij]

Je dis une peu prière pour vous?

Oui! The moment I wake up!   

[karlhenning]

Ah, une prière petite pour toi!

Se rapprocher, pour séparer; c'est tout que nous faisons . . . .

[Wanderer]

Ahh, you'll go to hell for saying that

A little crowdy, from what I hear, but interesting company nonetheless. 

BUT, there's an S in Debussy, which I think makes him a philosopher.

Yes but on the other hand, unlike Bacharach, Debussy hasn't appeared in an Austin Powers film.

[karlhenning]

Yes but on the other hand, unlike Bacharach, Debussy hasn't appeared in an Austin Powers film.

Isn't Austin Powers a descendant of Debussy's?