Classical Music Critic on "Who is the greatest composer?"

**hreichgott** · Sep-16-2013, 15:55

http://classicalmusiccritic.wordpress.com/

Some worthwhile observations on the good old "Who is the greatest?" question!
An excerpt

Assumption Seven: A greatest composer must appeal to both the wealthy elitists and the undereducated descendants of peasants. A greatest composer’s music will therefore show up both in movie or cartoon soundtracks and at white tie galas. Commercially successful and academic authors alike will write frequently about his music. Salesmen will promise that recordings of his music will make your fetus smarter.

(This is the newly begun blog of my friend Sarah Denes, a classical trombonist, Gubaidulina specialist and Ph.D. student in music at Duke. She is interested in writing classical criticism that is useful to non-academics.)

**Art Rock** · Sep-16-2013, 16:19

That was a good read - and very recognizable given discussions at this board. Thanks for the link.

**Vesteralen** · Sep-16-2013, 16:42

Very nice. Tell your friend thanks not only for putting some of my vague impressions into words, but adding considerably more content to the arguments I've mulled over in my mind.

I feel confirmed in my desire not to ever argue over greatness.

**niv** · Sep-17-2013, 01:44

Brilliant article. Hits the nail in the head.

**Vaneyes** · Sep-17-2013, 18:59

The topic is way too complex, even for a Ph.D. Rather than pandering to the whats 'n whys of likes, just get on with it. Preach your own biases, and keep "just kiddings" to an extreme minimum.

**Blancrocher** · Sep-17-2013, 19:07

Originally Posted by Vaneyes

The topic is way too complex, even for a Ph.D. Rather than pandering to the whats 'n whys of likes, just get on with it. Preach your own biases, and keep "just kiddings" to an extreme minimum.

Careful, Vaneyes, or "Certified Perfect Recording" may be in her sights next!

**hreichgott** · Oct-03-2013, 01:07

Certified Perfect Recording?? is this a thing?

**Chi_townPhilly** · Oct-20-2013, 13:38

All right- I'm a little late to this party... but there are questions that pop into my head-

1) The author of that piece showed pretty decent skill with the wrecking ball. What could we expect of this person behind the controls of an erector-crane, though?

2) Is the author at least as interested in dialogue as she evidently is in monologue?

One telling quote: "... people just want an excuse to wax rhapsodic." Leads to an pretty obvious syllogism-
1) People want an excuse to wax rhapsodic. 2) Author of blog belongs to the known subset, "people;" therefore...

Hey, I belong to the subset "people," too. I also recognize that I didn't pile up over 3000 posts here without a fairly strong desire for self-expression. But at least when I express myself here, readers have a full and equal opportunity to respond to my musings.

**hreichgott** · Oct-23-2013, 02:45

^ Regarding dialogue: You could leave a comment and find out.

**Couac Addict** · Oct-26-2013, 05:07

She cracked the code faster and more haphazardly than Dan Brown.
...very funny though.
It also saves me having to change my avatar (I like to make sure I'm still part of the "scene").

MacLeod · Oct-26-2013, 07:27

Some valid points, undermined by the invalid.

For example, she sets out 10 assumptions, but doesn't analyse them. Does that mean not one has any merit?
She has, of course, made her own false assumptions, not least that the only people asking the question in the first place are classical fans, who would, of course, rule out The Beatles in a conversation about the greatest classical composer.

Her best point is,

I do not believe that we should always conflate the caliber of a composer with his influence, which is very much a function of time, geography, and politics.

but this is immediately followed by

It is time for the public to recognize

when she has not been talking about 'the public' but a subset of people who have made the 10 assumptions.

In all of the threads on this subject I've joined on TC, no serious contributor has made all 10 assumptions, and those who have made even one of them is willing to have that assumption tested. She does not allow for the testing of even the first, which she leads us to infer is false, but which, on closer inspection, is a false inference.

**BurningDesire** · Oct-27-2013, 17:07

This article is amazing and hits the nail on the head. There is no greatest composer. The observations on biases towards Germanic composers and against women composers are really spot on.

**SiegendesLicht** · Oct-27-2013, 18:04

Originally Posted by BurningDesire

The observations on biases towards Germanic composers and against women composers are really spot on.

Ah, but what if that is no bias, but simply putting the praise where it belongs?

**BurningDesire** · Oct-27-2013, 18:21

Originally Posted by SiegendesLicht

Ah, but what if that is no bias, but simply putting the praise where it belongs?

yeah no its bias. o3o

**Aramis** · Oct-27-2013, 18:53

Originally Posted by SiegendesLicht

Ah, but what if that is no bias, but simply putting the praise where it belongs?

Originally Posted by BurningDesire

yeah no its bias. o3o

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