Sibelius

[thalbergmad]

if the answer to that is also in the affirmative, we'll be even sadder for you.

I cannot think why.

Thal

[ahinton]

I cannot think why.

Thal

Quite simply because of all that you are missing, mon cher! We can't all warm to the same things, whether they be music or otherwise, of course - and it would indeed be a dull old world if we could and a duller one still if we actually did - but by your own admission you appear to have written off an absolutely vast treasure trove of music which, as i wrote, is a very sad thing.

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

It might be a treasure trove to you, but it is a compost heap to me.

Thal

[ahinton]

It might be a treasure trove to you, but it is a compost heap to me.

Thal

Compost heaps can produce - or at least assume an important contributory rôle in the production of - all manner of wondrous and nourishing things! Why not go see your local doctor, have your ears syringed and that let it all hang in - and then , of course, decide what does and does not appeal, rather than simply rejecting almost everything written in the past century and some things written even before that. Why and how do you manage to get what out of my Sequentia Claviensis, for example? I am both confused and very flattered that you apparently do so. You don't have to answer that at all, of course (and certainly not necessarily in the arena of this public forum) if you don't want to, but you know how to contact me privately, so you are more than welcome to do so if you wish.

Anyway - what do you make of the greatest of Sibelius's works? (he's still the thread topic, whatever happens)...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

decide what does and does not appeal, rather than simply rejecting almost everything written in the past century and some things written even before that.

I do not think i simply reject anything as i always try a few pieces by any composer before deciding to listen no further. I decided not to listen to all the Mahler Symphonies after listening to 3 of them, not just 1.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

Why and how do you manage to get what out of my Sequentia Claviensis, for example? I am both confused and very flattered that you apparently do so.

That work has a strange hypnotic effect on me. Despite the length (which is beyond my usual durability), i find it very relaxing.

I regularly take my portable Hi Fi into the garden and play some Finissey, since i find that it keeps the sparrows away from my strawberries. After just a few pieces, i find he has nothing of interest to me.

Thal

[ahinton]

That work has a strange hypnotic effect on me. Despite the length (which is beyond my usual durability), i find it very relaxing.

Well, that's genuinely nice to hear, believe me; it had been its potential tendency toward "dustbins of discord[sp.]" that bothered me in terms of what it might have done for you - but then Jonathan Powell's performance is so wonderful as to sweep all before it...

I regularly take my portable Hi Fi into the garden and play some Finissey, since i find that it keeps the sparrows away from my strawberries. After just a few pieces, i find he has nothing of interest to me.

But does Finnissy[sp.] keep those sparrows from your raspberries? (or don't you have any raspberries?). Anyway, it wasn't so much your difficulties with Finnissy that bothered and/or puzzled me as much as those that you say you have with Debussy, Mahler, Strauss, etc.

Anyway, I am very pleased that you manage to derive something positive from one of my pieces and, once again, must pay all due tribute to its truly astonishing performer for his very important part in this...

THE OCEANIDES.

Just thought I'd mention that as we all now go on our way back once again to S I B E L I U S . . .

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Just thought I'd mention that as we all now go on our way back once again to S I B E L I U S . . .

Best,

Alistair

Oh, him.

Violin Concerto, work of genius.

Thal

[ahinton]

Oh, him.

Violin Concerto, work of genius.

Thal

One of quite a few from him, surely? (good to see you back on the thread topic, my dear Thalisman)...

Best,

Alistair