Tír Na HiFi

Jared wrote:Dvorak's Symphonic Dances do you mean his Slavonic Dances or his Symphonic Poems? the latter don't tend to find much love; they are an acquired taste.

Oooops, his Sloppy or rather Slavonic Dances, YAWN!

Ravel's Bolero hooray! hooray! someone else who actually thinks its hideously overrated!!

Good Lord, we agree on something!

Holst's The Planets let's face it, you don't really like the English very much, do you?

I LOVE the English, their music is CRAP though! LOL!!!!

Jared wrote:let's face it, you don't really like the English very much, do you?

That did cross my mind, Seán.........! How do you feel about Purcell?

Bolero is *obviously* over-rated, much like Pachelbel's sodding Canon.

I don't dislike opera, I do have an intense dislike of pop, rock and jazz singers, there are a few exceptions, Hendrix and Waits, so I was never too keen on the human voice, I am wired differently to most people,I guess. I'm an aspiring pagan too, hence the difficulty with aspects of Bach's music.

That said, I simply adore Bizet's Carmen, a few years ago Ciaran told me to try the Solti recordings, I'm glad he did, it is beyond compare, it's one of my favourites.

Diapason wrote:

Jared wrote:let's face it, you don't really like the English very much, do you?

That did cross my mind, Seán.........! How do you feel about Purcell?

Oh dear, next question?

Bolero is *obviously* over-rated, much like Pachelbel's sodding Canon.

Yeah, it's BORING. Duke Ellington's Bolero is infinitely better.

Seán wrote:I was never too keen on the human voice, I am wired differently to most people,I guess.

Interesting that, because I'm recently realising that human voice is my favourite instrument. It wasn't always thus, but choral music just appeals to me so much these days.

Seán wrote:I'm an aspiring pagan too, hence the difficulty with aspects of Bach's music.

You're in good company on the pagan front, but I'm not at all interested in the meanings of the words per se (with the exception of the how they relate to the music in terms of word-painting, etc.) Just let it go, forget about why this music was composed, try to disregard the religious connotations, and it all becomes much easier.

I think everyone knows where I have my problems...

1) French music after Berlioz
2) The Organ
3) Most Opera
4) Quite a lot of 20th Century Music

OK... what am I doing about it?

1) Not a lot at present, but I know I need to. I won't try again with Debussy for the time being, but if anyone else wishes to recommend me another slightly more accessible piece to get me started, I'm willing to try it. Please don't say Faure's Requiem, because it has about as much appeal as a wet weekend in Bognor Regis.

2) I really hate the sound of the Organ, my God I really do (I'm so sorry, Simon). I will have a go with the Handel Organ Concertos in due course, because a) I love Handel and b) the hideous sound will at least be diluted by that of a small orchestra.

3) I'm working on this, but it's not an entirely pleasureable experience. I have some Purcell & Rameau which I'm digesting piecemeal, but it won't be an easy journey.

4) Listen, I've conquered Nielsen and Britten... shortly moving on to Martinu, but Prokofiev, Stravinsky and Shostakovich are a long way off. I don't think you can ask for any more at present...

Diapason wrote:

Seán wrote:I was never too keen on the human voice, I am wired differently to most people,I guess.

Interesting that, because I'm recently realising that human voice is my favourite instrument. It wasn't always thus, but choral music just appeals to me so much these days.

Seán wrote:I'm an aspiring pagan too, hence the difficulty with aspects of Bach's music.

You're in good company on the pagan front, but I'm not at all interested in the meanings of the words per se (with the exception of the how they relate to the music in terms of word-painting, etc.) Just let it go, forget about why this music was composed, try to disregard the religious connotations, and it all becomes much easier.

I agree with EVERY word Simon has said in this post... :-))

Jared wrote: 2) I really hate the sound of the Organ, my God I really do (I'm so sorry, Simon)

Again, you're in good company. Honestly, I wouldn't sweat it -- you're not missing *that* much!!

Having said that, I do enjoy a lot of 20th Century French Organ music. That could take out 3 of your 4 boxes!

Diapason wrote:Having said that, I do enjoy a lot of 20th Century French Organ music. That could take out 3 of your 4 boxes!

Let's just say, I've heard some Messiaen, Widor & Vierne... once a lifetime should just about do it..

Note to Fergus & Darren

Pick your way through this lot, when you resurface!! LOL