Pianophilia

OK, I take back criterion number 2. I told you about my hat...

Timtin wrote:...1. Has this thread been given a stay of execution after all?...

I was persuaded not to be quite so harsh, but I still have an axe I am sharpening...

timgill wrote: 1. It must be written from the composer’s heart, not brain – apart from the intellectual process of actually writing it down on paper

If you don't mind I'd like to contest number 1. also. Although in principal I am with you, I think it is important to remember that the brain is not a calculator. It is, in my opinion, something far more miraculous and beautiful than the cold intellectual tool many may view it as being. The heart is impressive too, but all it does is pump blood around the body. The brain is in charge of everything and is the link between the body and the soul (if there is such a thing). Without the brain we could feel nothing. Perhaps the 1st criterion could be revised to something like "It must not be an intellectual exercise". Of course I'm just nit-picking. It amounts to pretty much the same thing, I guess.
On a related note, I wonder if this thread would have gotten off to the terrible start that it did if it had been called something like "Three piano pieces that make you want to cry" or just "Music that makes you cry"
It seems to me that at least with this title you have something concrete to go on - I'm sure everyone agrees on what constitutes crying - so there is no ambiguity. Also it doesn't rank anything, which is always troublesome, and it really gets to the heart of the matter. It also narrows the field substantially because it's only the "most beautiful" pieces that make you want to cry - whether for joy or sorrow - making it a more specialised thread. I think it also leaves little room for argument since it is personal opinion implied in the title, not an intrinsic property of the music.

Perhaps we owe it to poor Duirton, who got such a hard time over this thread (I do apologise for any insensitivity on my part) to try and start again.

Very well put.

Arjuna wrote:...I wonder if this thread would have gotten off to the terrible start that it did if it had been called something like "Three piano pieces that make you want to cry" or just "Music that makes you cry"
It seems to me that at least with this title you have something concrete to go on - I'm sure everyone agrees on what constitutes crying - so there is no ambiguity. Also it doesn't rank anything, which is always troublesome, and it really gets to the heart of the matter. It also narrows the field substantially because it's only the "most beautiful" pieces that make you want to cry - whether for joy or sorrow - making it a more specialised thread. I think it also leaves little room for argument since it is personal opinion implied in the title, not an intrinsic property of the music...

I think that would be a good solution and it has my support, although I am not sure about the words 'three' or 'piano'. Perhaps just 'Music to make you Cry''? Would you discuss this with Malcolm please? If it goes ahead then it should replace this thread. Thanks.

Rob

rob wrote:

Arjuna wrote:...I wonder if this thread would have gotten off to the terrible start that it did if it had been called something like "Three piano pieces that make you want to cry" or just "Music that makes you cry"
It seems to me that at least with this title you have something concrete to go on - I'm sure everyone agrees on what constitutes crying - so there is no ambiguity. Also it doesn't rank anything, which is always troublesome, and it really gets to the heart of the matter. It also narrows the field substantially because it's only the "most beautiful" pieces that make you want to cry - whether for joy or sorrow - making it a more specialised thread. I think it also leaves little room for argument since it is personal opinion implied in the title, not an intrinsic property of the music...

I think that would be a good solution and it has my support, although I am not sure about the words 'three' or 'piano'. Perhaps just 'Music to make you Cry''? Would you discuss this with Malcolm please? If it goes ahead then it should replace this thread. Thanks.

Rob

It's your website folks.....Rob and co. are here to guide and ensure we don't cross inappropriate boundaries. If that's the way you want this thread - or something similar - to run, then so be it. I personally find such topics very subjective - but interesting to see what stimulates people's thoughts on such matters.

Malcolm