The worst record covers ever

All that is clear is that you are talking nonsense – as usual.

There is absolutely no distinction between music and performances to the extent that making distinctions between good, bad and indifferent is purely a matter of opinion. To suggest that your assertion that even the most banal piece of classical music is greater than any piece of music of any other genre is not your view, but is a matter of objective fact is simply ludicrous. Nor have you, as far as I can recall, once put forward any ‘musical evidence’ to support such assertions – unless you are referring to your bizarre statement that classical music is superior because it is based on written scores. Is that what you mean by ‘evidence’? It barely deserves the title of a cheap commodity – it would be more accurate to describe it as a totally worthless commodity.

I think Caballe covers me completely with his eloquent, most civilised and heartfelt post. I fully subscribe to this.

So, I have to refrain from keeping up with a fruitless and uncivilised debate with Graig. I have simply to point out that, if everything is a matter of opinion to him, Life is not. And Art (and Music as well) is a product of our life. So, its existence, value, development go beyond our opinions, perceptions and taste. For some of us, who happen to be closer to the music making process, there are values beyond what we are able or wish to comprehend, like or appreciate. We try to attain them and we are not the only ones.

Of course, I can't deny to anyone the right to believe, as his/her opinion, that any evaluation, "distinction between bad and good or indifferent" in Art (and Music) are "purely a matter of opinion". At the end of the day, we should have a debate on what "opinion" is all about. How do we evaluate different opinions? Does it matter who is the one who holds the opinion in question and some more? However, based on many previous calls, appeals and suggestions (including mine) and particularly the brilliant post of Caballe, let's stick to the Classical Music.

No, my old chum Vic. I can't see that. I see, on the contrary, that you provoke a further discussion on a "saturated" matter that has led to nowhere except some repeated verbal abusive language at any response by the "other side". The worst thing : in the name of reason and logic! Perfect!

You should know by now that I don't avoid any debate, when there is a slight hope for some convergence of views. If there is no hope whatsoever for any reasonable and civilised discussion, I guess we have to accept and respect our "artistic" differences. It's too little, but we avoid the worse (bad language, going to personal attacks, loosing our composure and some more).

Parla

I have given a lot of "straight answers" at no avail, Vic.

I don't see what's the point to provide any kind of response to someone, starting his post (as a reply to mine) with the word "nonsense-as usual" and, then, he pronounces the dogma :"There is absolutely no distinction between music and performances to the extent...is purely a matter of opinion".

I wonder if the above statement is a personal opinion or a fact of Music (and Art, in general), because if it's the former, I don't see why I have to answer. Opinions are in abundance (Quot homines tot sententiae). I don't see why he (and you or anybody else) should be defensive of this position. It has the same value as any other opinion. If it is a fact, however, then, we have to agree, first, on the terms of reference and, then...

In any case, it is not your role or business to play the defense of Mr. CraigM. I think you deserve a better position than instigating a new debate on matters that are not of the interest of other members, at a moment when, at least two of them made very reasonable, sincere and heartfelt appeals to all of us to desist, refrain and focus on Classical Music only, as this forum dictates.

Parla

We have a very different definition of "straight", Parla!

You always respond Parla.  It is the nature of the response that is in question.

First, I am not defending CraigM, I would simply like his point addressed by you.  

Secondly, I do not think it is up to you to say what my role or business is, nor in fact, what is of interest to other members.

Vic.

You've identified the reason, the only reason, there's any response to your posts. Again and again other forum members have driven a coach and horses through the huge holes in you arguments, yet still (the plastic budgie, the mosquito) you keep coming and coming. Anyone with any self-awareness, any hint of sensitivity, would have long realized how foolish he looked. In the end, we give up because you're either too dense or too thick skinned to know when you're beaten. This isn't a 'telling silence', it's a result of boredom and frustration. You're a classic internet forum creation, Parla. In a face-to-face debate you'd be laughed to shame or your adversaries would leave to find someone more sensible to talk to, or you'd be nursing a black eye.

So now you've got two supporters. Ganymede we'll excuse. He hasn't had time to get to know you yet. All I'll say to Caballe is back six months ago I put in a post asking other members to bear in mind your thoughts may have been lost in translation. I've long since abandoned that position. The many negative qualities you possess, detailed in post after post by other members, come through in any language.

You're single-handedly turning this forum into a tedious squabble. No sooner have you finished upsetting forum members in one thread than you're starting fires in another one. One is tempted, as many members have been in the past, to give up and go elsewhere for intelligent discussion. It's impossible to ignore you because you're invasive. You don't know when you're beaten or when to shut up.

The only solution is to have Parla-free threads - threads in which you're not allowed to participate. You can conduct your circumlocutory nonsense with members who haven't got to know you yet or can't see through you, and leave the rest of us to dialogue in peace.

I've no idea, but at least there'd be a few threads I might be tempted to read.At the moment, as soon as I see Parla has participated in a thread, I switch off.

Incidentally I am breaking my rule never to respond to a Parla statement. This is a one off.