The greatest art music since 1985...

[some guy]

No, I doubt very much that anyone knows more modern music than me.

Ah. Well, I think I'm starting to understand what the problem is here. Yes. Yes indeedy.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

No, I'm serious. Very. I'm into controversy but don't do trolling.

Well, certainly no one TAKES you seriously.

No, I doubt very much that anyone knows more modern music than me.

All are welcome to my 4000 hour list of works I've got to know through five or more listenings-

https://www.box.com/s/qs6irdaz1jt63j5poxl5

And my 1200 composer list from that-

https://www.box.com/s/wua9v7scf6xl8hf4xawe

Any one of us could pull a list out of our ass such as this to demonstrate "our listening prowess". Yet even a cursory glance reveals a deficiency in the period you so abhor. Which was the point of my earlier post which you so conveniently ignored.

[Sean]

Hi Dancing, sorry but I can't find your other post- would you mind reiterating? Also you could take a look at the latter part of the second list I linked, for a string of recent composers, as you like.

Edit-
Oh, yes, I've found it below.

[CaughtintheGaze]

Well, certainly no one TAKES you seriously.


Any one of us could pull a list out of our ass such as this to demonstrate "our listening prowess". Yet even a cursory glance reveals a deficiency in the period you so abhor. Which was the point of my earlier post which you so conveniently ignored.

It's what trolls do. He's not even as subtle as he used to be. I think age has gotten to him. It could almost be called sad.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

It's what trolls do. He's not even as subtle as he used to be. I think age has gotten to him. It could almost be called sad.

+1

[DaveF]

Some of the other works you list I see as among music's valedictory little cul-de-sacs that composers have had a wonder down and back from;

What, even Mong Dong?  Poor old Qu.  Hope he's not a near neighbour of yours.

[Sean]

Philo, Dancing, Some, I take your points; perhaps we'll find more agreement next time. This is one of my egoistic threads...

DaveF, I know music of a few Chinese composers though not Qu or whatever his name is... None of the change the equation; best, S

[Sean]

Hello James et al, well some people did seem to think I was being less than sincere saying that music is in decline and contemporary composers don't compare with those of the past, but that's not the case and I sense that there's some annoyance to notice that my arguments are so overwhelming. However I do know what it's like to feel irked.

Art music is still a major part of my life and I listen every day, with an emphasis on different interpretations of the core repertory but retaining some interest in recent works. Current cultural and technical-compositional problems contemporary composers face just don't trouble me as they seem to trouble people here. So art music is in decline, so what? I read there are similar problems of exhaustion in the other arts too...

[dyn]

Hello James et al, well some people did seem to think I was being less than sincere

I'm sure no one doubts the sincerity of your opinions....

[Sean]

What does James mean by 'the charade' then?

[some guy]

I sense that there's some annoyance to notice that my arguments are so overwhelming.

Made me grin. 

Sean, you haven't made any arguments, yet. Your unsubstantiated assertions are not at all overwhelming. Pitiable, more like.

"This is the way it is. I, Sean, have spoken."

That just doesn't do that overwhelming thing you mention.

[Sean]

[some guy]

In your dream of greatness, my butt looks much bigger than it actually is.

[Karl Henning]

. . . That just doesn't do that overwhelming thing you mention.

Nope. The earth signally failed to move. I mean, beyond its normal rotation.

[CaughtintheGaze]

I love the 'play stupid' part of the act, it's almost charming.

That's usually one of the last moves for a troll.

[jochanaan]

And meanwhile, the obituary notices for Great Music are, as usual, greatly exaggerated.

[CaughtintheGaze]

And meanwhile, the obituary notices for Great Music are, as usual, greatly exaggerated.

I have an entire thread devoted to contemporary classical music. Some of which will definitely be considered 'classic' as time passes.

[Sean]

That's usually one of the last moves for a troll.

Listen here you wackos, I don't know what you mean by a charade here. I'm laying out the obvious that the arts are in decline and no way can the present period be compared with past periods. Are you trolling me?

Best, Sean

[Sean]

And meanwhile, the obituary notices for Great Music are, as usual, greatly exaggerated.

Not in today's case, not in today's case. It's over. There are no great composers writing today, a situation not seen for at least a thousand years. Don't give me waffle...

[DaveF]

No, I doubt very much that anyone knows more modern music than me.

All are welcome to my 4000 hour list of works I've got to know through five or more listenings-

Sean,

So exactly (or even roughly) how much music does anyone have to know before being able to express educated opinions about it?  Clearly, if a listener had only heard 10 pieces of 20th-21st century music, his opinions would not be worth much.  But suppose he'd heard 500, or 1000 - when would he start to get taken seriously?  And suppose someone had actually heard more pieces than you, if such a thing were possible - would that mean that you would then bow to their opinions and change some of your own?  And what about people with whom you agree, yet whose listening figures don't match yours? - let's say, for example, that of my 2000-disc collection about a quarter is modern music, does that mean that my opinion that Davies's 3rd symphony is a masterpiece, although in accord with yours, isn't worth considering?  It seems to me that you're in danger of creating a very lonely world for yourself, where no-one but you has a right to express any aesthetic judgement at all.  I don't usually express myself so bluntly, but you're a plain-speaking sort of chap yourself, so will understand.

DF