Klarinet Archive - Posting 000077.txt from 1999/09

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Wellington's Victory
Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 23:20:22 -0400

At 11:58 AM 9/3/1999 -0700, Bill Edinger wrote:
>One more point that should never be omitted when discussing Beethoven's
>"Wellington's Victory:" it is just about the most gawdawful thing he
>ever composed. It begs the question, "What on earth was he
>thinking???" The fact that it was originally for a mechanical device
>explains a lot, but it certainly showcases his human frailty. Now,
>Mozart never wrote a turkey like that, as far as I know. And no, dear
>flamers, one does not have to be as good as Beethoven (if it were
>possible) to still criticize - or praise - his works. "Wellington's
>Victory" was Napolean's last laugh, I think.
>
The public response to the fundraising premiere was so good that a repeat
was quickly scheduled. Does that answer your question? Nobody ever went
broke underestimating the public taste! It was designed to be a pure
potboiler, and was very successful in that vein, even if NOT as great art.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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