Saphire wrote:Recent posts here have been most interesting. I won't copy tons of it. I am talking about the extent to which one's music "tastes" are partly based on wishful thinking.
Having searched my conscience, I think there's some substance in this. This issue has always been lurking in the back of my mind, but I've brought it to the fore. I've just had a look at my CD collection and asked myself the serious question how much of this do I really like, and how much is, well shall we say, of more peripheral interest based on a feeling that I "ought" to like it.
I'm not telling you my answer precisely! But suffice to say there is quite a chunk in the latter category. I'm afraid I do tend to buy stuff occasionally that I think I should have, but quite frankly I often find I don't get all that much pleasure from it.
The most recent examples are Shostakovich, Ravel, Bruckner, Debussy. I have greatly expanded my collection recently, but I don't really care for much of it if truth be told. And yet, if asked - and depending on the circumstances - I might be tempted to put the best possible gloss on it because one doesn't like to appear narrow-minded or lacking in practical knowledge. (I wouldn't say I like something which I don't).
So often, I've said I don't like composer X only to be told "how do you know if you haven't tried?". It's this taunt that irritates me. My answer in future will be "I've heard enough, thanks; one instinctively knows".
Confession over. Back to the real Greats!
Saphire
Saph, once again you pretty much speak as how I see it, or actually, hear it.
I've looked over my collection quite often in the past 3 or 4 yrs and thought "OK now , whta recordings can I dump?" And off went at least 14th-1/3 of my collection, many 3rd and 4th+ copies had to go. I try to keep favs down to no more than 2, rarely 3 recordings of ane work. Composers too. Which composers works am i not interested in? I thined things out that way , and at times the entire composer has left my shelf.
I've got , oh about 50+ cds sitting in my garage, and another 50 looking to dump on Ebay.
But back to your post.
Exactly, after you've heard one or 2 works by a composer, no need to go further really.
I like you sense of straight up honesty.
You are not clear on your mention of Shostakovich, Debussy, Ravel.
Did/are you saying, you recently bought some of their music, and that frankly you seem not to care much for it?
Now here we might have some conflicts, as I'm a fan of Debussy, big fan of ravel and also of Shosty.
Whats up with that?
btw only certain recordings work for me.
I figure classical is JUST LIKE THIS.
Lets say you go to a Deep Purple concert, and Richtie Blackmore is playing great.
Now weks later comes along a band that plays the Deep Purple music.
Will you like it the same?
Mostly likely not.
Same with Debussy. Some play it like Deep Purple plays their music, and another orch comes along and "attempts" to play Debussy.
You follow?
I just got in Tortelier/Ulster's Ravel 4 cd set.Now I love Ravel,
But I hate Tortelier's Ravel. It lasted less than 1 hour, its now listed on amazon. Hey, I tried.
Psalm 118:22 The Stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This is the Lord's doing , it is marvelous in our sight.