The joy of having one's preferences validated by a higher authority

[vinteuil]

Sorry, Floss, maybe I just have this terrible 'phobia' about so-called 'experts' and 'higher authorities'....

... but I thought you accepted - more than most - One Particular Authority...

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

But it really doesn't matter. We have learnt one another's music likes and dislikes over a period of time and will continue to do so. A pianist who doesn't like Liszt isn't right or wrong. It's a personal opinion - nothing more; nothing less.
It's the same with critics and columnists. Their opinions are no more valid than yours or mine, but it's interesting to hear what they say.

[MrGongGong]

... but I thought you accepted - more than most - One Particular Authority...

Harrison Birtwistle didn't like my piece
Jo Kondo loved it

who is the "higher authority" ?

[Anna]

i recall admitting to a pathological aversion to Britten on the old boreds and at least two others confessed to a similar distaste ...

One of which may have been me ..... and I still have the strong dislike. However, I also had an aversion to RVW, until I worked my way through the boxed set by Vernon Handley and the RLPO. Who is to say that I may not in time also overcome my aversion to Delius or Grainger, which is not a pathological aversion, merely ........ an aversion. Our tastes are not set in stone and are forever changing. I doubt however that I will change my opinion of Britten.

[cloughie]

One of which may have been me ..... and I still have the strong dislike. However, I also had an aversion to RVW, until I worked my way through the boxed set by Vernon Handley and the RLPO. Who is to say that I may not in time also overcome my aversion to Delius or Grainger, which is not a pathological aversion, merely ........ an aversion. Our tastes are not set in stone and are forever changing. I doubt however that I will change my opinion of Britten.

I think my aversion to Britten is only partial - orchestral and chamber OK but anything with a voice in it, particularly if that voice is vibrato-laden and tenor.

[scottycelt]

... but I thought you accepted - more than most - One Particular Authority...

More than 'one' In matters of moral principle and the rule of law, of course, and whether that is 'more than most' and therefore a relatively eccentric standpoint might be open to some debate, even on a forum such as this ...

In matters of taste and opinion, however, I most certainly do not accept Any Particular Authority ...

[Panjandrum]

Harrison Birtwistle didn't like my piece
Jo Kondo loved it

who is the "higher authority" ?

How do you know Kondo wasn't just being polite?

[MrGongGong]

How do you know Kondo wasn't just being polite?

He wanted it played as part of a concert of his pieces and some others with similar forces

seemed good enough for me at age 22

[Panjandrum]

He wanted it played as part of a concert of his pieces and some others with similar forces

To show off how good his composition was through the effect of contrast?

[Beef Oven]

To show off how good his composition was through the effect of contrast?

That is mean

[Beef Oven]

I think my aversion to Britten is only partial - orchestral and chamber OK but anything with a voice in it, particularly if that voice is vibrato-laden and tenor.

But that would rule out his operas! Are you clinically insane?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

if your mark of sanity is a liking for Britten operas i will send the little white van around shortly .....

and i am most grateful for the further validations extended above .... i have discovered that i positively adore RVW now [but not then] ... but like Anna doubt i will ever like Britten ...especially vocal works and even more so with vibrato laden tenor voices ...

[Panjandrum]

That is mean

Just good natured banter Beef.

[kernelbogey]

Listening to his Guardian lectures on Beethoven give a fair idea of his musical, and musicological, knowledge, too:

http://music.guardian.co.uk/classica...943867,00.html

Just listened to one of these - excellent! Thanks, Bryn, for the heads up, as I didn't know about them.

[Nick Armstrong]

Just listened to one of these - excellent! Thanks, Bryn, for the heads up, as I didn't know about them.

Seconded!!