How do you convert a Mozart sceptic?

[gurnemanz]

Once again, the Great Flosshilde condemns everything and offer nothing but bile. I refer to your typically hostile first post. As the OP was at pains to point out, he was merely trying to help his friend understand WHY Mozart is so loved and receives such lofty praise: https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Talk:W...Amadeus_Mozart

It's posts such as this, which I find tantamount to trolling, that have put me off contributing further to these boards.

If you didn't like the thread, feel free not to contribute your usual invective. I'm quite certain it won't be missed.

I think I agree with the point I think you are trying to make. However, when you rise indignantly to Flossie's bait, go splenetic and start overstating your case in a disproportionate and inappropriate manner with phrases like "nothing but bile", "typically hostile" and "tantamount to trolling" and bring in personal attacks using rather puerile sarcasm - "the Great Flosshilde" - and the rather spiteful "won't be missed" , you lose my sympathy completely.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

It can be difficult to interpret the feelings and intentions behind a written message, hence they sometimes appear more hostile than intended. I say this in my Hostly hat. So before a discussion develops into mudslinging, it might be prudent to re-read in incoming message several times before replying.

[Flosshilde]

EA, I wasn't sure if your was directed to me or Ferney. If it was me, I reciprocate - to all

[Andrew Preview]

The OP... did in fact state that his friend appeared to like, or at least tolerate some of Mozart's music... but there's not much point in making a long mission in this.

That's spot on. I have no interest in trying to force my views on anyone else. Personally, I enjoy discovering things from enthusiastic recommendations. A decent proportion of my music collection has grown out of recommendations from others. I'm pleased about that because: a) recommendations have prompted me to try (or re-try) things I might otherwise have overlooked/discarded; and b) it's a socially enjoyable thing to do.

Clearly, banging on about something when your friend couldn't care less isn't going to achieve either a) or b).

[Thropplenoggin]

I think I agree with the point I think you are trying to make. However, when you rise indignantly to Flossie's bait, go splenetic and start overstating your case in a disproportionate and inappropriate manner with phrases like "nothing but bile", "typically hostile" and "tantamount to trolling" and bring in personal attacks using rather puerile sarcasm - "the Great Flosshilde" - and the rather spiteful "won't be missed" , you lose my sympathy completely.

So you admit there is 'bait'. I would go further and state there is form, lots of it. On threads I have started, too. Given the repeated and pernicious nature of her posts to this effect, I feel that the world 'troll' is justified.

Of course, when others use sarcasm to make their point, as happens frequently enough here, it is the height of wit. Mine is deemed 'puerile'. Go figure. As always, the For3 clique of die-hard ex-BBC MB regulars rallies round to defend one of its own. And they wonder why few new people stay around to join in the debate.

In any case, I shall now cease to contribute further to this closed society.

[Dave2002]

... rise indignantly to Flossie's bait ...

Oh dear, you shouldn't have done that! This seems to have given someone the idea that flossie has "form", which in any case is, I would say, open to serious question. Best wishes to all concerned.

[jean]

I don't think there's any point in trying to win people over...

It depends on the degree of evangelical fervour employed, I think - too much, and resistence stiffens straight away.

It also depends on the reasons given for not liking whoever it is. Recently I tried to get someone who rejected Brahms on the grounds that there was no emotional engagement, nothing there in his music, to listen to Warum ist das Licht gegeben...

Didn't work, though.

Vasily Petrenko has certainly won me over to Mahler - not personally you understand, but because I always give a second chance to a composer I've rejected when he conducts them. (I lent his wife an Eton Choirbook CD and she hasn't given it back yet, so who knows...)

[jean]

I've long since given up bothering trying to proselytise non classical music lovers...

In fact, this can be an easier task.

I have profitably introduced lovers of folk music to medieval chansons when they've been assuming all 'classical' music was lush late Romantic orchestral stuff.

[BBMmk2]

Well, I am not the only board member here who doesn't like Mozart!!

[amateur51]

So you admit there is 'bait'. I would go further and state there is form, lots of it. On threads I have started, too. Given the repeated and pernicious nature of her posts to this effect, I feel that the world 'troll' is justified.

Of course, when others use sarcasm to make their point, as happens frequently enough here, it is the height of wit. Mine is deemed 'puerile'. Go figure. As always, the For3 clique of die-hard ex-BBC MB regulars rallies round to defend one of its own. And they wonder why few new people stay around to join in the debate.

In any case, I shall now cease to contribute further to this closed society.

Oh dear! And on Matron's afternoon off too

[Roehre]

Well, I am not the only board member here who doesn't like Mozart!!

Certainly not

[Roehre]

In fact, this can be an easier task.

I have profitably introduced lovers of folk music to medieval chansons when they've been assuming all 'classical' music was lush late Romantic orchestral stuff.

I've got similar experiences

[verismissimo]

... In any case, I shall now cease to contribute further to this closed society.

Bye (again).

[Mary Chambers]

Vasily Petrenko has certainly won me over to Mahler

He hasn't converted me to Shostakovich - and I've been to most of the performances.

[BBMmk2]

Mary, have you heard Barshai, Jansons, or Neeme Jarvi?