Extremely annoying pieces of classical music

[amateur51]

... well spotted, John Skelton - as it happens, no, I don't care for the extremes of Gesualdo. Just 'cos I like 'old things' doesn't mean I like ALL old things!

But perhaps a deeper point you were making is pertinent - yes, I do 'relate' to the emotions in JS Bach - and to the transient passions in CPE Bach - and to the Empfindlichkeit in Mozart - and the Sehnsucht in Schubert - it's the vulgarity in Tchaikovsky I find intollewobble...

Oh Lawks-a-mussy Sir Anthony we can NOT be a-doing with any vulgarity here!

[John Skelton]

... well spotted, John Skelton - as it happens, no, I don't care for the extremes of Gesualdo. Just 'cos I like 'old things' doesn't mean I like ALL old things!

But perhaps a deeper point you were making is pertinent - yes, I do 'relate' to the emotions in JS Bach - and to the transient passions in CPE Bach - and to the Empfindlichkeit in Mozart - and the Sehnsucht in Schubert - it's the vulgarity in Tchaikovsky I find intollewobble...

The warm glow of having perhaps made a deeper point (if only by accident) will remain with me for the rest of the afternoon (well, some of it) .

[Ferretfancy]

Tchaikovsky's vulgarity is nothing when you consider Mahler's, and much more enjoyable,

[Suffolkcoastal]

Exactly Ff, and with Tchaikovsky is usually over after 40 minutes but with Mahler you have to 'survive' 80 minutes or more.
Actually I'm fond of Tchaikovsky's music, it is only really the 5th Symphony that gets or my nerves a bit, probably because it is overplayed compared with the rest of them and I can tolerate some Mahler works. But then I've got a very broad taste in classical music and there isn't that much that I really dislike. I think if I had only R3 to listen to then perhaps that might increase as I'd quickly get sick to the back teeth of the same works cropping up every few days, so by avoiding them wherever possible on R3 and turning to these works very occasionally I can keep them sounding fresh and enjoyable.

[jayne lee wilson]

Ah, "vulgarity" in Mahler and Tchaikovsky... that old chestnut of the well-educated, "tasteful" music-lover...

So - folk-tunes, or military marches are "vulgar"; but how is the term "vulgar" (vulgaris, of the common people) being used as a judgement? Just a personal aversion, or an implied musical assessment - a judgement on its quality? I once took issue in the (old, JJ-edited) Gramophone with Tully Potter, for saying that Suk's Asrael Symphony was "in better taste" than Mahler. What is this taste? Anyone? Isn't it just an implicit, secretive code of judgement, that those supposedly less knowledgeable are being excluded from?

"Damn your taste. I want to sharpen your perceptions. Your "taste" can take care of itself." (Ezra Pound to TS Eliot, I may not have it word-perfect)

The vulgar people's music has a rich history, if you're finding it in folk-songs and marches, you'll find it in many a classical and modern master; where would VW or Bartok be without such sources of ideas or inspiration?

What about irony and sarcasm, those very 20th century attitudes, are they vulgar too? Aren't they modern emotional and musical weapons to cope with anything from marital jealousy, "my brothers in Apollo", Stalin and the great terror?

Is The Magic Flute vulgar?
Those Big Tunes that crop up in some of Malcolm Arnold's Symphonies (e.g no.5) - are they vulgar, or popular?

[EdgeleyRob]

Driving home form work today I switch on the radio to hear a rare outing for Bolero on in tune !

[Barbirollians]

Kullervo - will it never end ?

[jayne lee wilson]

It's getting to the end of it that's always my problem... I usually quit during that lengthy recital of Finnish poetry that constitutes the 3rd movement. Might as well be VOGON poetry...

Kullervo - will it never end ?

[Ferretfancy]

jayne lee wilson,
I remember being amused at a live performance of Kullervo many years ago, at the point where a maiden invites the hero to enter her sleigh. The translation was on the lines of " Join me within, and we can crack our nuts together! " Now there's a nice bit of honest vulgarity for you !

[Roehre]

Ah, "vulgarity" in Mahler and Tchaikovsky... that old chestnut of the well-educated, "tasteful" music-lover...

I don't give a d**n whether it is vulgar or not.
I like it or I don't like it/enjoy or don't enjoy it (and that is most of the time independent from appreciating whether it is IMO brilliant, good or less than good music).

I like the finale of Tchaikovsky 5 very much - despite it being far too long, rather bombastic and the composer demonstrating how good a composer he is. So be it.
I cannot stand Mozart's Jupiter - despite it being IMO brilliant music and knowing the piece inside out. So be it.

[Ferretfancy]

Roehre,

It's nice to know from jayne lee wilson's comment on vulgarity, that I'm presumably in her category of "well educated, tasteful music-lover" Well I never! and me dragged up on gin !
Bws.
Ferret

[3rd Viennese School]

Monday night. Works to do with the natual world. After the interval Vaughan Williams.

Without looking at the schedules how many of you thought "That will be The lark ascending." I did.
And it was!!!!

Wots this? Classic FM?

It went on.
And on.
and Ariston.

3VS

[radioROMANCE]

Bolero. Can't stand it... hehehe... couldn't find the title of the other one I hate because it's my home phone's wait tone...

[Parry1912]

Anything by Steve Reich (and what's with the hat?)

Berio's Sinfonia

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Steve Reich (and what's with the hat?)

It's his version of the Jarmulke "often worn by Jewish men to fulfill the customary requirement held by some orthodox halachic authorities that their head be covered at all times", Parry.