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Balloon Debate - Official Launch!!

5K views 30 replies 9 participants last post by  PostMinimalist 
#1 · (Edited)
THE TALK CLASSICAL BALLOON DEBATE



At long last the Balloon Debate has begun. Even in the face of ridicule and derission the six fearless composers were not daunted as they climbed aboard an obilously less than air-worthy dirigeable.

They are:
1. Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (represented by Mark Harwood)
2. Dimitri Shostakovich (represented by World Violist)
3. Giovanni Bottesini (represented by post-minimalist)
4. Alberto Ginastera. (represented by Chi town/Philly)
5. Richard Wagner. (represented by Bach)
6. Gustav Mahler (represented by Handlebar)

THE SCENE AT THE LAUNCH

A millitry/marching band plays as the colourful globe drifts off over the Alps.
Handkercheifs waving and ladies cheering shrink into the distance as our merry band of daring travellers soar to into the stratosphere.

A few minutes earlier, as they boarded, they were handed some brief safety instuctions in the case of loss of air pressure. these are simple: Throw someone overboard!

Unfortunately these instructions will have to be used immediately.

In order to decide of whom to dispose, the composers have turned to the Talk Classical Forum where they will defend themselves in a gentlemanly and civilized manner and then allow the members to chose.

How will this be done?

On this board (Classical music discussion) each composer has been asked to present himself in a few short well chosen words, each in a seperate thread. This should be done by 1st of May.

As these posts arrive here (supposedly by carrier pidgeon!), they will be open for discussion by all members of the Talk Classical Forum. Then on 7th May a poll will be made which is to decide who is least worthy to remain in the basket.

Your choice at the poll should be made primarily on how convincing the participants have been in defending their chosen composer rather than just how much you like the actual composers in question.

On May 14th the hapless soul will be announced and unceremoniously tossed on to the Alps below!

The second round will then follow where the remaining composers will be asked to describe other aspects of their works, lifes and contributions to humanity.

And now....


We await the individual composers threads with baited breath.......

FC (The organizer)
 
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#2 ·
Thank you, P-M, for graciously inviting us on this journey.
I, for one, shall strive to survive by means of promoting my music, rather than criticising the music and personality of others on board, even though on either front Herr Wagner could justifiably be ejected as soon as we attain an altitude from which a fall would be at least terribly distressing.
 
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#4 ·
As these posts arrive here (supposedly by carrier pidgeon!), they will be open for discussion by all members of the Talk Classical Forum. Then on 7th May a poll will be made which is to decide who is least worthy to remain in the basket.
I prefer paper airplanes, myself...

Had I chosen Sibelius I don't believe we would have to go through this process... just saying.

~WV

Well, we got the thing off the ground, it took several days, and it would only stand to reason that a leak would blow the very day all that effort got its culmination. I think I'll start writing a string quartet on falling to one's death. Something has to keep me from going insane and throwing myself off beforehand...

-D.D. Shostakovich

Shosty, don't be such a pessimist.

~WV

Don't call me Shosty. Those people who call me Shosty should be shot.

-D.D. Shostakovich

Your alliteration skills are terrible.

~WV

It's different in Russian. Back off.

-D.D. Shostakovich
 
#8 ·
Rather than post in the "B.D." threads, I thought I'd make mention of having read the Bottesini & Mahler contributions. If what I wrote on Ginastera is judged to be near the equal of what post wrote about Bottesini, I would take it as a delightful compliment.:)

I noticed that handlebar has (beyond all doubt) a more strategic view than me! Plenty of Mahler material left for subsequent rounds. Time will tell...
 
#10 ·
And I thought you were the smart one? The idea of this balloon debate is to provide an Eastertide thoroughly entertaining, highly educational discussion of the merits of a largely dragooned bunch of pretend composers who face being chucked out of some balloon as it glides over the Alps because of an ever-increasing leak which requires the jettisoning of further weight in order to stay in the air without crashing.

You mean you aren't enjoying the fun and excitement of it all? Shame on you. I'm thoroughly enjoying every minute and can't wait for the next gripping instalment. If you can manage to stick around long enough this time, and remain out of trouble, we get to vote soon. That should be loads of fun. So don't go away, and keep focused on this thread. This should keep you out of further trouble, but don't blame me if you find it's like watching paint dry.
 
#17 ·
Why is this such a big deal? And why do administrators have to be involved? As long as it does not break rules, there should be no problems. I help run another forum as a moderator and not all threads need babysitting. This one should not either unless some feel it necessary to rock the boat and cause problems.

Grow up folks!! We are all adults. Let's talk about MUSIC!!!

Ok. Rant is over.

Jim
 
#18 ·
Phew!
For everyones information this was discussed at length with Moderators and they decided to let me handle things as I described in detail at the outset but they are keeping an eye on it. If anything is going to bring the balloon down before its time, it will not be poor organization or lack of good will from the participants.
Now chill out and enjoy the debate.
FC
 
#20 ·
Just a quick reminder that we still await three passengers to present themselves by May 1st.

These are:

1. Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (represented by Mark Harwood)
2. Dimitri Shostakovich (represented by World Violist)
3. Richard Wagner. (represented by Bach)

Time is of the essence, genltemen.
FC
 
#22 ·
The idea is simple. Imagine a hot air balloon with some remarkable pesronages in it. Then think what might happen if the balloon sprung a leak and the only way to save any of the passangers was to throw one of them overboard. People take on the role of these personages and try to justify there prolonged stay in the balloon by stating what they have offered humanity etc. Then a vote is taken and the least worthy character is asked to vacate his seat for the greater good. It's all quite gentlemanly and good clean fun. This form of debate is very popular in school debating societies. The particiapants take time to prepare their 'defences' and a lot is learned about each of the characters involved by all concerned.
Hope that clears things up.
FC
 
#27 ·
In a situation like this, I'd rather be Wagner's barrister than Wagner's voice. That said, though, it takes some real "acting chops" to credibly portray the man... and I'm happy that there are people who make the effort.

The deadline is now looming large for Comrade Shostakovich! Parkinson's law* seems to be taking hold. The countdown is about to begin!

*Parkinson's Law: "work expands to the amount of time allotted for its completion."
 
#29 ·
NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

Now that all the composers have made there case the board should open up with probing questions and in a weeks time there will be a poll to see who will take the plunge!

Have a read at their threads and get on their case, everybody. This is your chance to change the course of history!

Here are their defences in no particular order:

1. Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco

2. Shostakovich

3. Richard Wagner

4. Bottesini

5. Gustav Mahler

6. Ginastera

Good luck, gentlemen!
FC
 
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