Switch it off

[Dorsetmike]

When listening to a classical music radio station, are there any artists, composers or works that you immediately switch off or change channel?

For me my "pet hates" are Einaudi, Gorecki and a few other modern composers, Opera in general is not among my favourite genre, especially the 3 tenors and their ilk (come back Bjussi Bjorling) and Cecilia Bartoli and similar women with wobbly tonsils, film soundtracks are not real music, just an audio accompaniment to visual action - (one's no good without the other); I'm also starting to dislike some arrangements for oboe of some well known vocal works like "Where 'ere you walk" with overdone ""twiddly bits" (trills and grace notes etc) which completely destroy the works for me, may sound very clever to some but leaves me reaching for the off switch.

Having now probably offended most of the MIMF members I will now retire to a slit trench with me tin helmet on and await the flak.

 

[Mick Berg]

I agree with you mostly, except for Gorecki, his Third although very depressing is very moving. I've heard it performed live with Dawn Upshaw.
Oboes and the like are my least favourite instrument. I tend to prefer their organ imitation.
Probably will have to join you in the trench for that....
Mick

 

[JHC]

It really depends on my mood at the time one night I want Romantic one night I fancy Baroque one night I will listen to some living composers, I don't listen to the Classical period a lot. I find all of the reed instruments enjoyable in fact the only instruments I don't go for are electric guitars but you don't get those too much in classical.
The only type of so called music that immediately gets me reaching for the off switch is some Avant garde.

 

[Krummhorn]

Not a total fan of Chamber music ... some of it is okay, but I mostly steer clear of it. Also dislike weeping violin solos - they always use way way too much vibrato and I find that irritating to no end.

My most enjoyable instrument (besides the organ) is the Bassoon ... always wanted to learn to play it when I was younger. I love its sound - meaningful but playful in a way - mostly think of otters at play when hearing the Bassoon.

Full Sax combo ... now that's lovely for me, too.

When Webern comes on the radio I do switch stations for sure.

 

[JHC]

Also dislike weeping violin solos - they always use way way too much vibrato and I find that irritating to no end.

It is interesting to hear the difference between Anna Sophie Mutter who does use a lot of vibrato and Yehudi Menuhin who uses a minimal amount at least in the recordings that I have, but I like both of them.