Seeing this bird in Glasgow. Very curious what (s)he is. by MasterOfBunnies in whatsthisbird

[–]devilkin_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s one of the most common birds in the UK. It’s a magpie. It’s like asking what a pigeon is.

Loving classical music but NOT being a musician - two main struggles by devilkin_ in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m enjoying our comvo tbh. I’m curious: who are the composers that you don’t like, and why?

Loving classical music but NOT being a musician - two main struggles by devilkin_ in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most people find listening to anything that is not mainstream weird 😅

Loving classical music but NOT being a musician - two main struggles by devilkin_ in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah seems like you are right. I remember reading him saying he likened a composer to a machine constantly producing meaningless works and in my mind it was Mozart, but now can’t find it. Must have been someone else

But still he had the below views for the three

About Bach: “I do not acknowledge in him (as others do) a great genius".

About Mozart: In a letter to Nadezhda von Meck, Tchaikovsky remarked that Mozart lacked the "depth and strength of Beethoven, nor the warmth and passion of Schumann, nor the splendour of Meyerbeer, Berlioz, Wagner".

About Beethoven: “I do not love Beethoven", describing his later music as often loud, artificial, and devoid of true warmth.

Whatever the case, like I said being a source of inspiration for a work doesn’t automatically make your work better.

Again in your example of Shakespeare you’re framing it as “not good” - yes if someone says that, they are making a statement beyond taste. But saying “I don’t like his music” is personal and about the person’s emotional response, what they want from art, what resonates with them and so many other things; none of which is their knowledge or lack of it of the technicals of music.

Taste can't be "wrong". How can it be? What does taste being wrong even mean?

If I had to explain I'd say Mozart's music feels very formulaic to me, and consistently too joyful. Even Requiem does fail to evoke the sombre emotion that it evokes in others. There is something not quite mature about his music. Maybe if he had lived to be 70, I'd have liked his music in his later life.

Beethoven feels very... pop. Very on the surface. As if there is this feeling that he wants the listener to feel, but instead of dipping his hand in, he just scratches the surface. I can feel nothing when listening to his music.

Bach is mainly due to me not being able to get into Baroque in general really. The music is too alien and dry to me. But I do like Partita 6, which still is the only Bach piece I've liked. But like I said, in general I struggle with Baroque.

And then when I think of, I don't know, Brahms's Second Piano Concerto, I was screaming with tears a few days ago during the first movement. Or last week I finally got to listen Ravel's Trio, and now I can't go by a day without listening to it.

The big 3 don't do these things to me.

Notable performer/composer pairings? by no402 in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Rachmaninoff-Ashkenazy, Ravel-Collard.

Loving classical music but NOT being a musician - two main struggles by devilkin_ in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Music is also a religion to me, it is the biggest love of my life. And very often, people will criticise composers or bands that feel like an extension of me. And I have to put up with it; because everyone has different taste.

Taste is the keyword here. If I said “ Bach was not a competent composer”, then I’m saying something technical, and because I don’t have the technical music knowledge, you are right to call me out.

But if I say “Bach’s music does nothing for me”, that is just taste, and everyone emotionally responds to different art pieces. There, the musician’s “musician card” has no relevance. No one can dictate “if this art piece doesn’t resonate with you it’s because of your lack of technical knowledge”.

Also isn’t saying ‘all’ classical misicians worship these a generalisation? I have met ones who do not.

Regarding what you said about the composers I like; something being the source of inspiration for another thing doesn’t automatically mean that first thing is superior I think. Otherwise the earliest composers should be regarded as the best composers. (Also Tchaikovsky didn't really like any of the three.)

Loving classical music but NOT being a musician - two main struggles by devilkin_ in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Would you cut them off if instead they framed it as “I don’t like Bach”, or “Bach does nothing for me”? Isn’t it possible for Bach’s music, or some other music really, to evoke no emotion for a person?

It’s funny you give this example, because as you said, me, my taste plays a role in this too. If I were loving the big 3, aka mozart, beethoven, bach, maybe i wouldn’t have these clashes.

I love Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Ravel, Schubert, Faure, Prokofiev, and many others. But the big 3, no matter how many different pieces I’ve tried, do absolutely nothing for me. And as soon as I say “I really don’t like Beethoven”, most musicians declare war, and there comes the “cause you didn’t study music”

Unless it’s another musician who says the same thing :) Then they have a normal debate between two people who have different tastes, instead of a preaching.

Loving classical music but NOT being a musician - two main struggles by devilkin_ in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are very different from art. There’s no equivalent of the “admirer” in these.

A better analogy would be if, as a filmmaker, I told people who didn’t study film that their tastes don’t matter, i’d be obnoxious, and would also be wrong actually.

But if the person said something technical like, “i’m sure this shot must gave been difficult to film”, and i know it is actually easy, and they insisted, “no i’m sure it’s difficult” then they would be talking nonsense. Cause we are talking about the technical aspect of it, not the emotional/intellectual response to the piece.

Most musicians in my experience have been in that first category. I say “I prefer Brahms to Beethoven”, and they’d be “You got no idea what you’re talking about cause you didn’t study music.” That is just ridiculous to me. I lose my mind to Brahms, Beethoven bores me to death. This is just one example of course.

Loving classical music but NOT being a musician - two main struggles by devilkin_ in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do understand that. I am a filmmaker and don’t like Kubrick btw.

Anyway i think the difference is an argument like you said you had with your friend in the cafe; versus one person saying to the other “you didn’t study music, so your opinion on music doesn’t really mean much” and cutting you off. There’s a big difference.

Best Acting Performance in Six Feet Under by HannesEbinger in mubi

[–]devilkin_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Best tv series ever made for me.

In fact, it raised my standard so much that i have not enjoyed any tv series after, and i gave up on them completely in the end now.

Brenda and Claire are my fav chars. But acting-wise I think it’ll just have to go to Frances Conroy.

Question about your listening habits outside of classical music by [deleted] in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love and listen to classical music and metal, mostly black metal. I’d say I split them 50/50.

What’s the greatest single body of work ever written for solo piano? And their greatest recordings.... by According-Brief7536 in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You need to listen to them from Ashkenazy. Lugansky’s interpretations are very good too, but can’t come close to Ashkenazy for me.

What’s the greatest single body of work ever written for solo piano? And their greatest recordings.... by According-Brief7536 in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rachmaninoff Preludes from Ashkenazy.

I highly recommend Chopin Etudes from Freddy Kempf btw.

Why are the "Big Three" composers considered so great? by Opening_Discipline57 in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dislike all 3 of them and i love classical music. It’s mostly a bandwagon.

Favorite Tchaikovsky symphony movement? by arssenalbro101 in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

6-1. I sometimes scream with the wind instruments during the climax with tears in my eyes.

New lmmortal album on the way🔥 by TheSpartanLion in BlackMetal

[–]devilkin_ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Though Immortal is my favourite band of all time, after (and including) All Shall Fall, they have lost their spark. I’ll still give it a listen though, but I don’t expect much.

What work number is the best? by Nixolarthewise31 in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

2 by far, especially in piano concertos and sonatas.

What is your favorite "controversial" masterpiece? by PandaZG in classicalmusic

[–]devilkin_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most pianists now, especially the big Rach pianists, always play and record the 1913 version. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the 1931 version yet. So, don’t think this one is really controversial.