The Eternal Breakfast Debate in a New Place

[Serial_Apologist]

Should we be lilstening to music during Lent?

John Cage asks, "Is 'music' music?"

[kernelbogey]

That quoted response is typical of what I've seen over the years from Government spokesmen, etc. an attempt to settle a matter with a witty soundbite.

My understanding is that the quoted response from Kate was no broadcast soundbite, but a personal communication with Anton, via Twitter.

So I think it's OK to play a Bach cantata on the Radio 'out of season'. But as with the notorious Government spokesman who appeared not to know what 'mysogyny' was, I think Kate is mistaking Bach's use of his music in other contexts to suggest that he would have welcomed this.

Surely you would agree that Kate, a professional musicologist, is entitled to her personal opinion on J S Bach?

And maybe the 'Government spokesman' knew what misogyny is....

[smittims]

Hi, kernelbogey; I dont want to start an argument over what I think was a silly little remark, but perhaps it's worth clarifying what I meant.

I knew her remark wasn't broadcast ,but it was still, I think, an attempt to settle the matter with a witty soundbite.

Yes, she's entitled to her opinion; I never suggested she isn't. But she attributes to Bach an opinion about his music which she states as if it were a fact (i.e we don't actually know that Bach actually believed that) . So I stand by my last sentence you quote.

As for the remark about misogyny, for anyone who missed it it might be worth recalling: he said 'Misogyny is absolutely wrong, whether it's a man against a woman or a woman against a man'. How the feminists came down on him like the wolf upon the fold. So no, I don't think he did know what misogyny is. I think he was confusing it with 'sexism' , just as I thought Kate was confusing Bach's use of some of his cantata music in other works with a stated belief that it's OK to play his cantatas out of season.

I hope I'm mistaken in sensing a note of irritability oin you post. Do let's try to keep it friendly.

[french frank]

Surely you would agree that Kate, a professional musicologist, is entitled to her personal opinion on J S Bach?

Aren't we all? From my point of view, a programme which plays 23 pieces in 150 mins doesn't need a musicologist (the problem being 23 'songs' in 150 mins, not presentation by a musicologist). But if this is the continuing story of 'Bach before 8', it might make very good sense to choose the appropriate cantata tune for the right season? But that's just the opinion of a non musicologist

[kernelbogey]

Schumann: Julius Caesar overture... haven't heard that before; and no wonder....

[cloughie]

Schumann: Julius Caesar overture... haven't heard that before; and no wonder....

I chanced upon this in 1970 as the coupling to Solti’s great recording, to my ears at any rate, of Schumann Sym 2 SXL6487

[kernelbogey]

It was Solti that they played. I wasn't giving it my full attention but I thought it sounded below Schumann's usual standard of composition (and I am a fan).

[smittims]

I think it's a late work . Schumann's 'usual standard' declined quite a bit in his last years owing to his mental health problems.

[cloughie]

It was Solti that they played. I wasn't giving it my full attention but I thought it sounded below Schumann's usual standard of composition (and I am a fan).

Yes - it’s a shadow of Manfred!

[kernelbogey]

Though weird, today's programme mirroring the music of the countries whose Eurovision Song Contest entrants are finalists tomorrow night in Liverpool has an energy and freshness about it that I have found appealing.

Congratulations to producer Susan Kenyon who, according to Petroc, pulled an all-nighter choosing the music once the Saturday finalists were known.

I vote for Hieronymos Tragodistēs!

[kernelbogey]

Double Martin next weekend: 20 & 21 May.

[antongould]

Though weird, today's programme mirroring the music of the countries whose Eurovision Song Contest entrants are finalists tomorrow night in Liverpool has an energy and freshness about it that I have found appealing.

Congratulations to producer Susan Kenyon who, according to Petroc, pulled an all-nighter choosing the music once the Saturday finalists were known.

I vote for Hieronymos Tragodistēs!

Well said IMVVHO kb …… just listened on Sounds ….. well produced and presented

[Quarky]

Martin Handley was very good this morning. No quibbles, no temptation to switch off.

[antongould]

Martin Handley was very good this morning. No quibbles, no temptation to switch off.

Oh Dear if Sounds is to be believed double Ms Alker this weekend ☹️

[Serial_Apologist]

Oh Dear if Sounds is to be believed double Ms Alker this weekend ☹️

Alker's hell sir.