Here we go again

[smittims]

I forget where it was, but they successfully dispersed groups of yobboes in a shopping mall by playing Operetta arias, 'Don't be Cross', the Nun's Chorus, etc.

[Old Grumpy]

I forget where it was, but they successfully dispersed groups of yobboes in a shopping mall by playing Operetta arias, 'Don't be Cross', the Nun's Chorus, etc.

Delius does the job:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/51939.stm

[mopsus]

Delius does the job:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/51939.stm

Delius would certainly do the job with me, as would Xenakis who I'm afraid tends to set my teeth on edge (and I have a higher tolerance than most for dissonance).

This technique has been used in various places. A Google search on 'classical music deterrent site:uk' turns up lots of examples, particularly in bus stations.

[ahinton]

As someone said to me some time ago when discussing a similar case, "they ought to play some of your music; that would put all of them off effectively and you'd hopefully get some royalties as well"...

[Serial_Apologist]

As someone said to me some time ago when discussing a similar case, "they ought to play some of your music; that would put all of them off effectively and you'd hopefully get some royalties as well"...

[smittims]

Adrian Boult recalled a party he was at with Elgar and a young singer was introduced . E was told she would sing one of his songs. 'You've just spoilt my evening ' said E.

[Serial_Apologist]

Adrian Boult recalled a party he was at with Elgar and a young singer was introduced . E was told she would sing one of his songs. 'You've just spoilt my evening ' said E.

I love this quote from John Ireland, from 1962:

"There used to be a Society for English Music, and at one of their concerts there were to be some works by Vaughan Williams and myself. Someone had persuaded Rachmaninov to come. It turned out that a certain song of Vaughan Williams's was to be performed which he himself considered to be one of his worst. As soon as it was announced Vaughan Williams jumped up, cursed loudly and walked out. Next followed my piano piece Chelsea Reach, but the pianist played it as though it were a dirge. You couldn't imagine how slowly and rigidly he took it. My song Sea Fever followed. When it was over Rachmaninov turned to me and said, 'Yes, zat Zea Fever is good, but really, Mr. Ireland, you don't zink much of zat Chelsea Reach, do you?'"

[smittims]

How lovely. That's from 'British Composers in interview' by Murray Schafer, isn't it?

I often re-read that book and lamented that no-one has been able to write a good sequel to it, thought several have tried. Perhaps it's just that the composers featured in them aren't as interesting as Schafer's. He seems to have had the knack of eliciting revealing remarks. On asking William Walton a standard question about getting stuck while composing a particular piece, Walton said (as I remember it):

There are difficult days, despairing days.

Schafer: do you sometimes feel you won't be able to finish the work?

Walton: you feel as if you will never compose again.

[RichardB]

I often re-read that book and lamented that no-one has been able to write a good sequel to it, thought several have tried.

Have you looked at John Palmer's Conversations?

(I do have skin in that particular game I should admit)

[smittims]

I can't recall if I've seen or read that, Richard, but thanks, I'll look it up.

There's also 'Composer to Composer' by Andrew Ford, which could be thought a sequel to Schafer in that it includes just one composer from the earlier book (Alexander Goehr). I'd never heard of most of them, so it was an education. But Ford didn't seem to get them to talk enough about the process of composition.

[Serial_Apologist]

How lovely. That's from 'British Composers in interview' by Murray Schafer, isn't it?

It was indeed. Usually I comprehensively reference quotes, despite this not being general practice on this forum, but I was a bit pushed yesterday.

[french frank]

Apparently, McDonald's are playing Beethoven symphonies - and according to one report it's having quite a beneficial effect. Perhaps the combination of burgers and Beethoven is an enjoyable one? Like this method too (apparamment):

[Barbirollians]

Apparently, McDonald's are playing Beethoven symphonies - and according to one report it's having quite a beneficial effect. Perhaps the combination of burgers and Beethoven is an enjoyable one? Like this method too (apparamment):

If I recall righty has this not also been successfully used to disperse groups of teenagers outside shopping centres and railway stations ?

[french frank]

If I recall righty has this not also been successfully used to disperse groups of teenagers outside shopping centres and railway stations ?

Yes, that was the point of the OP. I was showing that it might actually have the reverse effect!

[Serial_Apologist]

Apparently, McDonald's are playing Beethoven symphonies - and according to one report it's having quite a beneficial effect. Perhaps the combination of burgers and Beethoven is an enjoyable one? Like this method too (apparamment):

If any Beethoven were chosen by the local corner shop, it would have to be the Grocer Fugue.