Music that doesn't move you

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

What music does the OP actually like?

Anything conducted by Carlos Kleiber. Except Mozart.

[P. G. Tipps]

I think the Symphonie Fantastique is a quite extraordinary work, way, way ahead of its time. Apart from obvious 'adagio' influences in Mahler 9 and 10 I hear very little in common between that composer and Bruckner. Though I continue to struggle with much of Brahms I actually quite like the German Requiem ( a refreshing change from its numerous Papist counterparts!)

I have my own 'deaf spots' like most of us but I consider that a cause for some regret. I do however passionately and quite unapologetically detest some forms of 'music' notably Punk Rock, Rap and unbelievably horrendous stuff like that truly dreadful hit pop song (I can't even bear to mention its silly title) by the now deceased Peter Sarstedt, of which we were reminded so recently.

The curious, unfathomable music tastes of others have always greatly intrigued me!

[Mary Chambers]

The difficulty is that as soon as one says what music leaves one cold, someone will pour scorn on one's taste or lack of it, but here goes:

I dislike most Stravinsky.

[Richard Tarleton]

The title of the thread refers to "music that doesn't move you", the OP to music that "fails to click with you". I'd suggest these can be two quite different things - I'm sure I engage with music in all sorts of positive ways which don't necessarily involve being "moved". I'm thinking of music that prompts a cerebral, but not necessarily emotional response (Art of Fugue), a largely physical one (ZZ Top), etc. I can find myself moved by a pibroch on the Highland bagpipes, stirred (does that count as "moved"?) by a march played by a Highand pipe band - two different sets of emotions..... But lots of people can't stand bagpipes at any price, so I'm not sure where this gets us. Should the thread be retitled "Music I don't like"?

[Tetrachord]

"The avant garde" in the way you seem to be using it isn't "a movement"

The Eroica is a great example of "avant garde" music


and Trevor is still a genius

Casuistry 101.

[Tetrachord]

Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique, heard it too any times.
Franck - Symphonic Variations, not sure why.
Brahms, Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn, the Saint Anthony Variations, not sure why.
Leopold Mozart - Toy Symphony, just plain awful, cuckoo! cuckoo!
Maxwell Davies - An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise, the drunken wedding party and that bloody piper, heard it too many times and any novelty has worn off.

So five works I can't get on with is not too bad, I think.

For some reason a lot of people don't like the Franck Symphony in D. I haven't listened to it in years but I quite liked it when I did.

[Tetrachord]

Er - might you care to try to explain precisely what's supposedly "rude" about that?

Pardon my rudeness, but you don't seem to have responded to the OP - instead preferring personal attack.

[Tetrachord]

The difficulty is that as soon as one says what music leaves one cold, someone will pour scorn on one's taste or lack of it, but here goes:

I dislike most Stravinsky.

Yes, pouring scorn has become an art form for some people, however vitriol has little to do with the question posed in the thread - which some people have take the trouble to answer. Thank you to them.

I enjoy "Petrushka" - and I actually think it arguably the greatest ballet ever created.

[Richard Barrett]

The avant garde; anything at all from this movement because much of it is sonic art rather than music.

Yes, pouring scorn has become an art form for some people

[Tetrachord]

Sibelius and Nielsen,absolutely no idea why.

It's always interesting when people say they have no idea why something doesn't appeal to them. A visceral response is often difficult to explain or justify and music is probably the same. As I said, I don't enjoy Mahler or Bruckner - especially with tens and tens of singers - and I have tried over and over. It's just impenetrable to me. I find the Bartok piano concertos a bit derivative and they don't appeal, but I can listen to them without becoming bored. But I love his piano pieces generally as well as "Bluebeard's Castle".

My favourites are drawn from the Renaissance of Josquin right through to Charles Ives and Samuel Barber. But Beethoven, Bach and Brahms remain my bedrock musical companions. Purcell is a particular favourite, as is Monteverdi. I seldom, if ever, listen to Mozart these days.

[Tetrachord]

You obviously have no affinity with sonic art, regarding it as insubstantial. You're allowed to do that. It's reasonable not to confuse it with music, however, except if you're on the defensive and on the look-out for criticism.

[Richard Barrett]

You obviously have no affinity with sonic art, regarding it as insubstantial. You're allowed to do that. It's reasonable not to confuse it with music, however, except if you're on the defensive and on the look-out for criticism.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[Tetrachord]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Oh I think you do, sir.

[Richard Barrett]

Oh I think you do, sir.

No I really don't. I would be particularly interested to know where you draw the supposedly reasonable line between music and sonic art, so that I'll finally know what it is I've spent my entire adult life creating.

[Mary Chambers]

Yes, pouring scorn has become an art form for some people, however vitriol has little to do with the question posed in the thread - which some people have take the trouble to answer. Thank you to them.

I enjoy "Petrushka" - and I actually think it arguably the greatest ballet ever created.

I enjoy Petrushka, too. I did say I disliked most Stravinsky. Not quite all, though.