Pieces that people seem to love, but actually suck

[chopin2015]

i think it's hilarious that people seem to have to try and defend what is not being bashed. as someone else said, it's folks expressing their opinions about pieces of music.

why does someone not liking something someone else does compell them (sometimes) to try and make a statement that aims to discredit the one originally expressing their dislike?

does it even matter, i mean whether or not someone likes something i like bears litte (correction, bears nothing) on whether or not I continue to like said _______.


i even made i a point to say i want to try and like what i don't like, despite honest study, in depth introspection, etc. i.e. my dislilke for bobby's music isn't even a reflection on of my appreciation for his artestry or skill. i think he compsed well. his works are well crafted, i m just bored to death with them despite repeated attempts to like them. it's just like i don't have to like every painting in the art museum. i can aknowledge the skill and appreciate the craftmanship, etc. of the artist but i can still think a picture is ugly.

i was sort of hoping the thread would be just what it seems to me at face value, express your subjective opinion about your dislike of music others seem to like. why people feel compelled to interject some statement that aims to put fault at the one expressing an opinion they are in disagreement with is just a bit puzzling.

well at least you have the decency to explain why you don't like Bobby's music. (I guess). I realize even Mozart I like at least a little. Even the music that my mother finds ugly I seem to find something worthy in it. I get excited about train whistles whistling together in a minor second though, so please do not listen to me. And I could imagine why someone would dislike Ravel, but do you know why? I think you should at least know why and be able to express these feelings. 

[cadenza14224]

to the point at hand....cannot understand the popular reception of these:

Tchaikovsky, "Piano Concerto No. 1"
-Honestly any of tchaikovsky's piano music seems so scattered. Love his violin concerto though.

Schumann, "Kinderszenen"
-Puts me to sleep.

Liszt, "Transcendental Etude 4, Mazeappa"
-Okay this one doesn't exactly SUCK, but it is so over-glorified; people always leave "Ricordanza" (No. 9) and "Paysage" (No. 3) in the dust, ones which have so much more meat to offer.

Mussorgsky, "Pictures at an Exhibition"
-I'm probably still musically immature to appreciate this one since my knowledge of Russian school classical is pretty limited to Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky....

[emrysmerlin]

Have we Islamey on the list?

[korlock]

Strauss - The Blue Danube, and everything else he and his ugly mutton chops wrote.

[slobone]

I think Liszt is the most overrated composer ever. I love the Hungarian Rhapsodies and the transcriptions, and a couple other things, but the "serious" pieces -- Annees de whatever, apres une sonnet de whatsisname -- bore me to tears.

There -- I've said it. Let the hatred commence.

[slobone]

And by the way, I agree with putting most of Mozart's solo piano stuff (NOT the concertos) on this list. I think Haydn's sonatas are mostly better than Mozart's, and a lot more fun to play.

As for Schumann -- love Carnaval, everything else I can live without. Schubert too -- gorgeous when it's played by somebody like Murray Perahia, but not a lot of fun to learn and very hard to get right.

[slobone]

I would understand your hate for Bach since I don't really like it either when I hear his keyboard works being played on the piano - aside from the great Goldberg variations. However, Bach's keyboard works, when played on the organ/harpsichord/clavichord, are some of the most wondrous things ever.

I love to learn and play Bach, more than any other composer. He's inexhaustible. But I don't particularly enjoy listening to other people play him, except a few things like the Gould Goldbergs #2, which are stupendous.

[slobone]

Für Elise is a piece that I really hate. Cheesy elevator music. Same goes for Mozart's Rondo alla Turca and Bach's Prelude in C major (where Schubert's Ave Maria is based upon).

Not Schubert -- Gounod. Get your overrated composers right.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I think Liszt is the most overrated composer ever. I love the Hungarian Rhapsodies and the transcriptions, and a couple other things, but the "serious" pieces -- Annees de whatever, apres une sonnet de whatsisname -- bore me to tears.

There -- I've said it. Let the hatred commence.

+1

Edit: 

Nevermind, I don't think he is the most overrated composer.  But I do agree with everything else you said.

+.5

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I also didn't like how the audience picked the pieces for Valentina Lisitsa to play in the Royal Albert hall.

Her debut WAS A FREAKING DISASTER!!!

They freaking picked Beethoven's Moonlight sonata over his Appassionata what the freaking heck?!?!?!  And then like four Rachmaninoff preludes over his first sonata?!  Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?!

She should never do that again.  I was soooo mad!!!

But it's okay because it's Valentina Lisitsa...

[j_menz]

I also didn't like how the audience picked the pieces for Valentina Lisitsa to play in the Royal Albert hall.

So you think her paying audience should defer to you, who presumably freeloaded on YT?

 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

So you think her paying audience should defer to you, who presumably freeloaded on YT?

 

They were uneducated listeners.  They only picked the pieces they knew of instead of listening to the other options and broadening their horizons to better music.

[j_menz]

They were uneducated listeners.  They only picked the pieces they knew of instead of listening to the other options and broadening their horizons to better music.

Remember that should you ever be looking to have people pay to listen to you perform.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Remember that should you ever be looking to have people pay to listen to you perform.

Well she gave them the option.  That was a big mistake.

I would NEVER give people the option to choose my repertoire. 

[j_menz]

I would NEVER give people the option to choose my repertoire. 

You already have, mate. Your audition pieces? Even if you chose the individual ones, the criteria was set down for you.

And it never hurts to know what an audience wants to hear from you. If you know where they are, you can perhaps lead them somewhere, but if you just ignore where they are you'll risk never having them hear the pieces you care about.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

You already have, mate. Your audition pieces? Even if you chose the individual ones, the criteria was set down for you.

Hey I just picked some random pieces and they just happened to be the pieces you're supposed to play for auditions!

[j_menz]

Hey I just picked some random pieces and they just happened to be the pieces you're supposed to play for auditions!

I'm only doing it because my teacher says so!   

Make up your mind. 

[stoudemirestat]

I think Liszt is the most overrated composer ever. I love the Hungarian Rhapsodies and the transcriptions, and a couple other things, but the "serious" pieces -- Annees de whatever, apres une sonnet de whatsisname -- bore me to tears.

There -- I've said it. Let the hatred commence.

So because you don't like his music, he's the most overrated composer ever? The Annees de Pelerinage are works that make people usually change their mind about Liszt (after hearing the Rhapsodies and condemning - lack of context, I say) and start to love his music...and just because you don't like them (what don't you like about these works?) he's overrated?

And, i'm interested from your next post...what composers (especially Romantic era composers) DO you like?

[outin]

So because you don't like his music, he's the most overrated composer ever? The Annees de Pelerinage are works that make people usually change their mind about Liszt (after hearing the Rhapsodies and condemning - lack of context, I say) and start to love his music...and just because you don't like them (what don't you like about these works?) he's overrated?

This thread is all about exaggeration...

I also think Liszt is overrated because I don't like his style of using the piano (mostly). And this opinion is totally completely subjective and not open to scrutiny 

[j_menz]

This thread is all about exaggeration...

Not quite sure that's the word I'd have picked. 

[outin]

Not quite sure that's the word I'd have picked. 

Is it even an actual word? Just starting with my coffee...

[stoudemirestat]

This thread is all about exaggeration...

I also think Liszt is overrated because I don't like his style of using the piano (mostly). And this opinion is totally completely subjective and not open to scrutiny 

Better. I guess I am being pedantic, but these comments being made are also made elsewhere (especially the Schumann and Liszt ones) without the context of extreme exaggeration. I feel compelled to defend my guys!

[outin]

I feel compelled to defend my guys!

Do you think they care? Unlike Elvis I am 100% certain that these guys are really dead...

But it's nice of you anyway 

[stoudemirestat]

Do you think they care? Unlike Elvis I am 100% certain that these guys are really dead...

But it's nice of you anyway 

No, but I do!

[chopianologue]

Für Elise.

[chopin2015]

Do you think they care? Unlike Elvis I am 100% certain that these guys are really dead...

But it's nice of you anyway 

I think anytime I play something really badly I bet that the composer is turning over in his/her grave!! So it's kind of like they are alive!:D

[musikalischer_wirbelwind_280]

Anything by Justin Bieber, Black-eyed peas, Lady Ugh-Ugh (sorry, Gaga ^^), Britney Spears, the list is quite endless...

[ajspiano]

Anything by Justin Bieber, Black-eyed peas, Lady Ugh-Ugh (sorry, Gaga ^^), Britney Spears, the list is quite endless...

I wouldve just said anything that fits the following (or other similarly over used) formula.

[musikalischer_wirbelwind_280]

Another nice way to put what I meant there, indeed 

[49410enrique]

note before the fanboys/fangirls get all stirred up in to a hussyfit, im not bashing the guy, just don't understand the fascination with this piece in particular, i have at least one (maybe more i would need to check), of his score books and a coarse glance through reveals at least from an initial impression some better piano writting and his most recent release included some very pretty nocturnes i.e. Nocturne No.4 in Db 

. why this piece in paricular seems to be his most popular, most requested, most played, most 'covered', etc. is beyond me, i have listen to it in full a couple times, 1.5 times to many if you ask me, even now, i can take about 11 seconds, then i'm done!

i don't know, maybe it was part of some popular movie or show i'm unaware of? i just don't get it.

[teran]

Yiruma reminds me of that Final Fantasy/Kingdom Hearts/Anime kawaii desu ne~ crowd.


Because of that I could never listen to his music objectively and enjoy it. Still I don't find his pieces particularly enthralling anyway. It's not that I even hate them or anything, but I just sit there like uhuh.

I don't get it is River Flows in You meant to be impassioned, romantic, and dreamlike?

Eh, Chopin's Db Major Nocturne does a better job. Yes I said better, I don't even give a damn about subjectivity. My opinion shall be stated as fact!

[49410enrique]

Reinhold's Impromptu Op 28 No. 3

i don't get the fascination with it, perhaps it is the same mentality that holds all things fast and loud as great....

the pieces bores me to death. i was oblivious (blissfully) and unaware of it's existance except that sheetmusicplus once put it as a 'top seller'/favorite amongst purchasers.....maybe there was some memo that went out to Asian parents that listed this and Ibert's Little Whitle Donkey (which is a fabulous piece, but really a shame it is often singled out, the collection as a whole is marvelous) as required playing for children?....

i have tried to understand the popularity but i just can't get excited about it. bleh!

[black_keys]

Bach inventions , preludes and fugue.

[redbaron]

Yiruma reminds me of that Final Fantasy/Kingdom Hearts/Anime kawaii desu ne~ crowd.

Yes, that same crowd keep posting on here and it drives me up the bloody wall.

[thesuineg]

Thank you. would anyone like to come with me to kill him.
I'm sure I could make better stuff than him if I tried composing in his annoying elevator music style. At least I'd add some kinda contrast and not the same chords over and over again.

[49410enrique]

surprised this hasn't made the list....
talented dude, but not his best work, despite it being possibly his most loved/popular one. not like he cares, he's super rich and famous for it but still, i don't get why this one, he wrote better stuff, and i won't say it outright sucks, but compared to his other output, it is kinda sucky.

okay, time for a palate cleanser/ear floss
does NOT SUCK!

[nanabush]

WOW the Catoire is beautiful!  I have never heard of these pieces... damn!

[natalyaturetskii]

I was gonna say 4'33, but I heard an amazing performance of it last weekend (transcription for string quartet) and now I love the work.

Haha, it happens to all of us...

Natalya

[redrobin62]

For the life of me, I can't see how people embraced 12 tone, serial and atonal music. You can't dance to it. It's not hummable. You wouldn't play it at a recital unless you wanted to clear the room. Seriously. How did Schoenberg, Bartok, Alban Berg and other composers become household names? Oy! If I have to deeply focus and concentrate on music in an attempt to enjoy it, that's too much work. I'm not lazy, but seriously, crashing minor 2nds and flattened 9ths into each other does not for enjoyable music make.

[mikeowski]

For the life of me, I can't see how people embraced 12 tone, serial and atonal music. You can't dance to it. It's not hummable. You wouldn't play it at a recital unless you wanted to clear the room. Seriously. How did Schoenberg, Bartok, Alban Berg and other composers become household names? Oy! If I have to deeply focus and concentrate on music in an attempt to enjoy it, that's too much work. I'm not lazy, but seriously, crashing minor 2nds and flattened 9ths into each other does not for enjoyable music make.

Bartók is not in the same category as Schoenberg and Berg. Sure he uses some dissonance but I don't think it's too much for the ears. Bartók became known for example through his ethno-music research and its influence on his music. And he also has some very nice and easily enjoyable pieces that you can sing along and dance to (if you know some hungarian or bulgarian dances I guess).
On 12 tone music: I was at a concert of Leonskaja where she played the Berg sonata and you could feel that the crowd was getting kinda nervous and annoyed, a woman next to me even left the hall (I didn't see anyone else leave though, so definitely no hall-cleaner, but no household name either).
As for me I enjoy some serial and 12 tone music because I think it is very relaxing. Kind of like an abstract painting.
Now I agree with you that it's strange that Schönbergs, Bergs,... music could get so popular. But not that their music sucks (although I can't say I actually understand it, I just find it relaxing).

Now what I can't understand is how people can like most of Brahms' music. I tried listening and enjoying it but it's just so boring. I have decided I will play a piece of him in the near future anyway and hopefully then I'll see what's so great about him (my piano teacher actually loves brahms, so she might be able to explain it).

[j_menz]

crashing minor 2nds and flattened 9ths into each other does not for enjoyable music make.

The Alkan Symphony for Solo Piano would appear to attest otherwise. Using your definition of "enjoyable" too.

[redrobin62]

I wonder sometimes if I've been "tainted" by classical music, especially the romantic era. I can listen to Ries, Raff, Rachmaninov, Rubinstein and Rossini all day. Put on some Messianen, Stockhausen, Schnittke, Schoenberg, Webern or Babbitt and I'm ready to climb the walls. To be fair, I like the early works of Alban Berg, especially the Fruhe Klaviermusik from 1907-09 and also some of his earlier orchestral bits. I read somewhere that, around the 60's or 70's. modern day composers eschewed 20th century modernism in favor of neoclassicism. Maybe the backlash has started. Can't say I disagree!

[blink83]

Climbing the walls is a good thing, right? 

[the89thkey]

100% of Schumann is worthless drivel, but some seem to like it.

Thal

That's a pretty ignorant thing to say. Do you have any backing for your claim?

[akpl16]

Oh my god, this thread is hilarious!

But in all seriousness, I feel like the only reason we hate the music is simply because of the fact it's overplayed. Every piece has its beauty, and it's our job as musicians to discover it and interpret it accordingly. I would say that the interpretations we hear (and their incredible frequency), not the pieces themselves, are what we hate.

[the89thkey]

Oh my god, this thread is hilarious!

But in all seriousness, I feel like the only reason we hate the music is simply because of the fact it's overplayed. Every piece has its beauty, and it's our job as musicians to discover it and interpret it accordingly. I would say that the interpretations we hear (and their incredible frequency), not the pieces themselves, are what we hate.

Not completely true in a lot of cases.

[drexo]

Not completely true in a lot of cases.

Agreed.

I myself never heard a Bach piece which interested me and I gave his compositions - and many different interpretations - so many chances, for years. Right now I avoid everything he has ever made.

[transitional]

River Flows in You, Merry Go Round of Life, Canon in D, Fur Elise, Megalovania, Moonlight Sonata 1st Movement, Gymnopedie No. 1, Game of Thrones theme, Someone You Loved, Pirates of the Caribbean, Believer, All of Me, Kiss the Rain

Most of them would be reasonably good if they weren't so overplayed, and if you're wondering, they're all on this page: https://musescore.com/sheetmusic?sort=view_count

[lelle]

Most of them would be reasonably good if they weren't so overplayed

I can't agree with this take. I get becoming tired of pieces you hear often but they're still good piece in some kind of essence IMO. Of course, if something is good or not is entirely subjective, I'll give you that.

[perfect_pitch]

Pirates of the Caribbean

Okay - I'll agree with Musecore being a plague upon piano teachers and the profession in general, but what do you think of professional arrangements... like this: