Music you've still not grown to like

[Dave2002]

I have recently been listening to music by two composers, both born in Northampton. Oddly, Edmund Rubbra was born in 21 Arnold Road, Northampton.That has to be a coincidence as Malcolm Arnold was born later.

Yesterday I tried Barbirolli's performance of Rubbra's 5th Symphony, and today I've heard several pieces by Arnold, including his 2nd symphony and now his 5th.

Despite all the written enthusiasm for Rubbra's music, and for the 5th Symphony in particular, I really feel that it's music I have never really got on with, and that state continues.

On the other hand, while some might dismiss Malcolm Arnold's music, I do find some of it enoyable, and even entertaining (the finale of the 2nd, for example), and some of it is more serious - such as the second movement of the 5th.

I don't think I'm ever going to like Rubbra's works.

Could just be a personal thing of course. I met someone recently who liked a lot of modern and 20th Century music (I mean really modern) but she declared that she could not stand Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht, a work which I like a lot. On the other hand we both agreed that we like the Chamber Symphony - I assumed no 1.

[Roehre]

Dave, musical appreciation is completely and utterly personal.

It changes over time.

Also: it can be developed, and my experience is that works (or even eras) which I didn't like ore even loathed (there aren't that many) can become a favourite. And vice-versa ( in my experience mainly by over-exposure).

Some works or composers "click" immediately, to others one remains indifferent and some simply don't work for you.
As long as you've seriously try, that's what you will experience.

That's life.
There is nothing weird, strange or anything to feel negative about this.

[Dave2002]

Dave, musical appreciation is completely and utterly personal.

It changes over time.

For some mad reason I revisited that Barbirolli Rubbra symphony today. It is more genial after a night's sleep.

I may never get to love it though, though if anyone is interested in that 5 CD box set of Britten, Berkely and Rubbra it's probably quite a good buy at around £14 or under half that price from am market place sellers.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Britten-Lucretia-Michelangelo-Concerto-Berkeley/dp/B0056H0QOW/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1437132230&sr=1-1&keywords=BRITTEN+BERKELEY+RUBBRA

It is also on Apple Music - search for "Britten Berkeley Rubbra" - other searches which may seem more obvious may fail!

I appreciate your comments.

[EdgeleyRob]

I've been trying to like Sibelius and Nielsen for donkey's years.
Despite many of my favourite English composers being heavily influenced by these giants their own music does absolutely nothing for me.
Clearly my loss,but it is what it is.

[Beef Oven!]

I've been trying to like Sibelius and Nielsen for donkey's years.
Despite many of my favourite English composers being heavily influenced by these giants their own music does absolutely nothing for me.
Clearly my loss,but it is what it is.

I wonder if there is an ointment that you could use. It does seem strange.

[Beef Oven!]

Brahms' piano concerti.

[EdgeleyRob]

I wonder if there is an ointment that you could use. It does seem strange.

I've even tried that !

[Dave2002]

I've been trying to like Sibelius and Nielsen for donkey's years.
Despite many of my favourite English composers being heavily influenced by these giants their own music does absolutely nothing for me.

Is Walton one of your favourites? I think his first symphony is very close to Sibelius in parts. Odd that you can't get Sibelius, but there it is. It's not obligatory to like it.

[Beef Oven!]

I've even tried that !

[Flosshilde]

Bruckner. I listened to his 4th symphony recently, & have been listening to the CotW, but, apart from his writing for brass & percussion, really can't see (hear?) anything interesting. He very much seems to be the end of the 19th century, whereas Mahler, with whom he's often coupled (or compared) is definitely the beginning of the 20th.

[EdgeleyRob]

Is Walton one of your favourites? I think his first symphony is very close to Sibelius in parts. Odd that you can't get Sibelius, but there it is. It's not obligatory to like it.

Yes Walton 1 is a prime example Dave.
This indifference to Sibelius and Nielsen used to bother me,now I just shrug my shoulders.
And yet I can't understand how for example S_A doesn't get Rubbra or Arnold

[Serial_Apologist]

Is Walton one of your favourites? I think his first symphony is very close to Sibelius in parts.

And the Walton VC often looks back to Sibelius's, especially in its first movement.

[Beef Oven!]

He very much seems to be the end of the 19th century, whereas Mahler, with whom he's often coupled (or compared) is definitely the beginning of the 20th.

So what?

[Serial_Apologist]

So what?

So? it's easier to identify with music of the early 20th century than that of the 19th. I can go with that.

[vinteuil]

it's easier to identify with music of the early 20th century than that of the 19th.

... is it? I find it easier to identify with music of the 17th and 18th century than that of the 19th century. I'm not sure I understand what you mean - it certainly ain't a general truth...