I practically worship super-centenarians. Centenarians are my demigods. I'm in absolute awe of Elliott Carter, not only because of his age, but that he's still working; not just working, being creative. Just today, pursuing my hobby of centenarian-worship, I come across another composer completely unknown to me. Namely, ... well, the subject has it, Roy Douglas. Born on 12 December, 1907, the Wikipedia article on him has a simple sentence that - and this may be somewhat embarrassing to admit - almost took my breath away. Here it is:
"He worked with Ralph Vaughan Williams and Richard Addinsell."
If what I've read is to be believed, he started tinkering on the piano in 1912. He apparently also did some orchestration work with/for William Walton and John Ireland. He even wrote a book entitled "Working with RVW". I'm sorry that I am unfamiliar with his music and starting a thread with such sketchy info might be frowned upon, but I'm wondering if anyone here knows much of his own compositions. Has anyone read his book? People like Roy Douglas are truly links to an earlier, different era. Just recently, the chess world lost World Champion Vassily Smyslov (1921-2010) and just a couple of months later the even-older Andor Lilienthal (1911-2010), a man who had played and beaten the 2nd official World Champion (Emanual Lasker) who had become Champ in 1894. These "links to an earlier age" amaze and awe me.
Again, I apologise if there isn't much interest in this topic or in Roy Douglas, but there are a lot of knowledgeable people on this message board, and I hope I can be forgiven for taking a chance with this one.
EDIT: corrected spelling of "Elliott"
Sorry to interrupt before anyone has had a chance to reply about Douglas, but Mr. Carter's first name is Elliott.
This may sound odd, since (admittedly) I don't like Mr. Carter's music at all, I did honestly know that his first name had two "t's", and I've spelled it correctly in the past. He's more than earned my deepest respect in more than one way, just unfortunately not with my pre-1900 ears. Sorry about the misspelling (sincerely). It's a bit odd; I try never to comment on music/composers whose music I don't like, dislike, or even hate, so I never get to talk about my complex feelings on the matter. But, I do fully support/endorse their work in a weird way. It's a bit hard to describe in text, and since I have no talent for writing, I can't really explain myself well and I don't want to disturb or offend anybody. So, unfortunately, I feel like I can't get into more detail with my thoughts on the music of some of these 20th+ century composers, since I think people would not move past my reactions to their music (which sometimes get into the literally physical, no joke), and wouldn't understand my other thoughts on the matter (though some people might).
Why did I say all that??? I don't know. I guess I just wanted to say that (1) Mr. Elliott Carter has my sincere respect, veneration even, (2) I did actually know how to spell his first name, and (3) I shouldn't have misspelled it in the first place, considering the esteem in which I hold him.
Quote from: JoshLilly on January 24, 2011, 07:04:57 PMIt's a bit hard to describe in text, and since I have no talent for writing, I can't really explain myself well...
I don't want to criticize again, but I disagree. I think you have explained yourself very well indeed!! ;D
And I would like to hear from anyone who's heard any of Roy Douglas' music, too. Surely someone here has.