11/11/08

Lesser Composer Killed in Train Wreck

But before I tell you who it was, try to guess.

...this second [concerto] he wrote for piano sounds like a cross between Mendelssohn and Chopin, combining lyrical charm with brilliance.

That sounds really cool. I like Mendelssohn. I also like Chopin. A lot. And a combination of the two doesn’t sound all that bad. (By the way, which one lacks “lyrical charm” and which one lacks “brilliance?”)

[Lesser composer A] was a far less inspired composer...

Hearsay, your honor! And...yikes. Don't forget the last nail in the coffin.

Whether [conductor X]—or anyone else, for that matter—can succeed in rescuing the music of [lesser composer A] from obscurity is highly debatable.












Since you continually throw him in front of the bus (read: train), I suppose his music will follow. But he sounds like Chopin and Mendelssohn, right? So how could he be so deserving of such critical scorn? I mean, he was programmed on a concert, which you had the privilege to review, in the 21st century. He must have done something right, in order to stick around for two-hundred years.

Ugh. I have a sneaking suspicion it’s because his name doesn’t rhyme with Beethoven.
-

7 comments:

Sator Arepo said...

Ooh ohh pick me!

John Field?

Oh, no...Hummel. Oh well. I'm glad the established bullshit canon of great/lesser remains intact.

Anonymous said...

I have I ever said how much I hate the word "inspired" with respect to writing music?

God does not ordain composers.

Anonymous said...

Really Gustav! What then does God ordain?

Anonymous said...

Pretty sure nothing...but I'm still willing to hold out for professional sporting events and vice-presidential elections.

And I just had the best Cabernet Sauvignon, I suppose God could have ordained that.

Empiricus said...

F Hummel. End of "story."

Empiricus said...

Little Johnson. Congrats.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I see, Gustav. My mistake. We know and serve different gods!