Check this out if you dare.

Hi Tagalie! Good to hear from you again.

I think to the last three posters and others, that what is happening now is fairly apparent.

Too much pontificating is leading to strong critcal analyses by others.

Well, the fact that some members are attempting to reason and question and critically analyse is, of course, a massively positive thing, but it is obvious that exasperation is now creeping in from some of us, and also from those standing on the sidelines as it were and watching what is happening.

As a general tip Tagalie and others, I have found in the past that if I drop off for 3 or 4 months while I get on with mundane stuff like work, and some more interesting stuff like listening, that the air can have cleared a bit when I get back.

So I think I might be joining you guys for a short break...

In the meantime, all the best everyone...

Mark (Partsong)

Tagalie, first of all, welcome back!

You are not the only one who is distressed, disappointed or frustrated with this situation in the forum. Probably, most of us are. However, to start calling names for the forum, like "crap", "pontification" and "elitism" is not resolving the problem, while the escape of "I'm out", "I take my leave (or my sabbatical) and so on is an easy way out, avoiding the situation and dealing with some more mundane things, as Mark stated.

However, if we all agree to stick to threads on Classical Music, as this forum is to be, then, I trust, we all, at least, will try to abide, since we mostly have to reply to musical subjects rather to theoretical issues and, much worse, to questions on other subjects than Classical Music. Recently, the threads on Daniel Harding or on Mozart's String Quartets or live performances of Beethoven's String Quartets were examples of very quite, civilised and informative exchanges. Alas, with few or very few replies. So, let's set the pace (again) and we'll see...

As a small preview: since you appreciated the chamber music of Bax, have you tried the chamber music of Bridge (there is the whole series of his very interesting and important String Quartets on Meridian as well as the complete music for Cello and Piano on Somm: wonderful music!) or of Alwyn (there are two delightful discs on Naxos with his major chamber works)?Besides, on Lyrita, you may still find a unique CD on the chamber music of Howels (!), the otherwise significant composer, known almost exclusively for his Choral masterworks.

So, we may have plenty to exchange on Classical Music topics only. Hopefully so...

Parla

When we try to heal a wound that had some dire consequences to this forum, it's not fair to try to keep this same wound open, Vic. "Past insults to the integrity of posters" have taken place almost all the time and affected quite a few of us (I was quite often the victim of any possible attack).

The "greater respect for opinions" of others is given, provided we discussed on the basis of opinions. In any case, opinions are for everyone (Quot capita tot sensus or quot homines tot sententiae). However, sometimes, the matter goes to the essence or the role or the significance of Classical Music...That's why I proposed to avoid any further discussion on this subject. In any case, somehow, we have exhausted several aspects of it, by exhausting ourselves.

So, change is expected and is committed from my side upon the expectation that the above condition will be observed; as for apologies, they were given to those addressed, when necessary, though nobody (or almost) cared for any apology to me, when I have been so often offended, attacked, etc.

So, let's have our future debates (actually the topics and threads; it's not always about debates) within honourable bounds!

Finally, the "list of several points" was about not addressed to Parla, as you clarified in a previous post. So, I commented on them but I don't have to reply, not that much because of that, but mostly on account of the damage has already been done, primarily, by virtue of this thread. As for this so beautiful latin " Qui tacet consentire (videtur ubi loqui debuit ac potuit)", I have to reply...perhaps with "Omnia dicta fortiosa si dicta Latina".

So, let's look ahead, stick to the music and progress may come.

Parla

Acouple of years ago I fell upon Bax's Clarinet Sonatas the two-movement D major sonata is just wonderful. 

I hope nobody's offended by this diversion into Bax's chamber works, but while we're on the subject ..................

You boys have got me with this reference to the Clarinet Sonatas, plural. I thought there was only one, written in 1934. It's available on a Hyperion disc featuring the Nash Ensemble and also includes the Oboe Quintet. Hearing it again during me recent troll through Bax, unfortunately I found the playing rather reticent, bordering on dull. The Harp Quintet is certainly a dud on this cd. However it's worth hearing at least for the Nonet, a superb work contemporary with the 3rd Symphony and redolent of it.

The string quartets are intriguing, very dissimilar, each a world of its own. Both Violin Sonatas are well worth investigating, the second in that no-holds-barred romantic vein in which Bax recalls one or all of his girlfriends and communicates from and to the heart. It's a pity the Chandos disc of both works mikes the violin very poorly, presenting the high midrange like a laser. 

Atonal is right. The world premier of the second Clarinet Sonata of Bax is on this particular CD of Naxos. Recording and performances are quite competitive.

To close the subject of Chamber Music of Bax, Tagalie kindly note that there is a marvellous CD on Naxos with the Piano Quintet of Bax (in g minor) along with The Piano Quintet of Bridge (in d minor): two superb works in this very cumbersome genre, which requires the utmost balance between strings and the piano, while it lends itself to some very symphonic dimensions for Chamber Music.

Finally, Dutton has issued recently the very first edited version of Bax's String Quintet.

I hope we're done with Bax. (Thanks for the hospitality, Vic).

Parla