Darcy James Argue wrote:
On 12 Apr 2005, at 12:26 AM, keith helgesen wrote:
The next step is Catholics compose better than Muslims or Protestants or Salvos or Hindus or--- Aaaaaaargh!
Composers are subject to the same irrational prejudices as everyone else. Many of them have, sadly, been making exactly this kind of bigoted assertion for centuries, and the Brahms quote Raymond Horton cited was precisely in that tradition of irrational bigotry -- so it's hardly surprising that such a citation might offend the secularists on this list (many of whom, it should go without saying, happen to be composers themselves).
If Mr. Horton had approvingly quoted Wagner's anti-Semitic writings, I really, really, really hope no one here would think David Fenton was out of line for pointing out the obvious -- "Wagner was full of shit."
Well, I have said twice I am done, but, I see I my name again.
Do David and Darcy realize that they have a sore spot if they cannot even read an opinion concerning inspiration from one of the greatest composers of the Western world?
Do you realize you are trying to equate ethnicity with choice of faith? Absurd!
My biggest mistake was in taking one Brahms line which would cause such a commotion out of context and posting it here. But I was reacting to David's expectorating, I suppose. But I thought we were all grown-ups, and could read different opinions.
Let me retrace:
The original request, from Bob Florence, was for "any books concerning composing and arranging that cover the spiritual and inspirational aspect."
As I preparing to give the title of the Abell which anyone informed musician should read, whether he or she agrees with all of it or not, (I disagree with a great deal of Brahms theology, myself), I was astounded to see David Fenton , who I assume is an informed and civil person, write.before I entered the discussion: "I object to the introduction of the term "spiritual." ...well, I *spit* on that word --". I am more astounded to see the vitriol used in attacking me for passing along information pertinent to the discussion.
My reply referenced the Abell book and quoted Brahms. You will also see, despite, several messages to the contrary, that in my first message, I did not quote Brahms "approvingly", just referenced the book as a source of "some disagreement with David." I only defended the thesis when the discussion became uncivil (language-wise) and less sensible (equating faith with country of origin) and the crowd got larger (well, two of you - I'm easily outnumbered.) .
I fail to see anything "offensive" in quoting the opinions of Brahms on divine inspiration in a discussion of "the spiritual and inspirational aspect of composition" If Mr. Fenton would rather not participate in such a discussion, he certainly can pass them by, just as I delete anything with "Mac" or "OS" in the subject as not pertaining to myself as a PC user.
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