Hear this, and die.

[Ned Long]

Everyone has ONE favourite piece of music; the one you always come back to, and never tire of playing. This is mine, and even if classical music is not your thing, it's worth a listen.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhdN1x4ke74

[BattlerBriton]

Jan 24, 2010 16:10:30 GMT Ned Long said:

Everyone has ONE favourite piece of music; the one you always come back to, and never tire of playing. This is mine, and even if classical music is not your thing, it's worth a listen.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhdN1x4ke74

I do not believe that there is one piece of music that is not degraded by constant playing.
Consider how cliched 'Nessum Dorma' has become, and how as almost trite Vivaldi's 'Four Season's' is regarded (even though it is one of the most astounding violin concertos ever)

[Ned Long]

Jan 27, 2010 9:27:16 GMT @BattlerBriton said:

Jan 24, 2010 16:10:30 GMT Ned Long said:

Everyone has ONE favourite piece of music; the one you always come back to, and never tire of playing. This is mine, and even if classical music is not your thing, it's worth a listen.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhdN1x4ke74

I do not believe that there is one piece of music that is not degraded by constant playing.
Consider how cliched 'Nessum Dorma' has become, and how as almost trite Vivaldi's 'Four Season's' is regarded (even though it is one of the most astounding violin concertos ever)

I would have to take issue with you on that score, Battler. Great music is never devalued by regular playing; although you may have a point if you mean the MANNER in which it is played. For example, the "four seasons" is often played down the telephone when one is on "hold" to some large company or other; or is used as "musac" in some busy store or shopping centre. THAT is degrading !

And while this is a generalisation, the concert repertoire has a staple diet of the great, and most popular symphonies and concertos, in which the great classical composers feature heavily. I am off to a concert in the Sage at Gateshead on 14th next month. The Bruch violin concerto is being featured, along with Beethovens 5th; works I have heard many times before; as will have most of the audience. The last concert I attended featured Schuberts "great" 9th symphony, which again I play rather a lot at home. But they never loose their appeal.

And as for Richard Strauss's "four last songs" I never tire of listening to them, no matter how often I play them. You cannot degrade great music, and, IMHO, familiarisation certainly does not breed contempt!.