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Dundonnell
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I think that there is a midway position between "a ringing endorsement" and "aridly modernistic"(or words to that effect) which is close enough to "I don't like it and would not recommend others to bother with it". In fact I doubt that Jeffrey would ever go as far as the second part of that imagined statement. I know that I wouldn't. I learned through unpleasant experience elsewhere that expressing my active dislike of a composer's music can call down incensed vituperative attack. That may make for good "theatre" and increased readership but is ultimately pretty pointless. What does I matter if I find the music of Fartein Valen oppressive or Pierre Boulez incomprehensible. Others see or rather hear things I do not.
I prefer-as you know very well by now - to share my enthusiasms rather than my negative reactions in the hope that those who share or might share some at least of my tastes are made aware of the existence on or not yet on cd of music which interests me.
We cannot reach any proper assessment of a composer's symphonies unless we hear them. The Diamond 6th was available only in a pretty dreadful off-air recording of the 1957 Munch premiere. That is why I welcomed and still welcome its appearance on disc. If it is not warmly romantic, instantly attractive or merit "a ringing endorsement" that does not mean that others should not investigate and find out for themselves I am not a universal guru of good taste . I have been accused(and I use the word in gentlest sense) of an excess of enthusiasm about a lot of "unsung music" but that enthusiasm is actually often focussed on getting an opportunity to finally hear it in a modern good quality performance and recording. I am Not always "bowled over" when I do get to finally hear it Doesn't mean others can't have a different and equally valid reaction!
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