Aplogies for cross-posting to two music chatlists, but I think a lot
of people will be amused by a piece in today's Des Moines Register:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080406/ENT01/804060303

The Dubuque S.O.  spent a year choosing the most popular pieces in the
symphonic repertoire.  Ove 9200 fans and musicians voted for a symphony,
a concerto, an overture and a 'Wild Card'. The only surprise was in the
latter category: beating Bolero, Finlandia, Pictures At An Exhibition
etc is...  Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite, with the clopping donkeys.

Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue won as a concerto.  The only Mahler in the
running was the first symphony, eliminated in the first round (and whoever
wrote the article thinks that it is called 'The Titan').

There is an interesting aside from Henry Fogel, president and CEO of the
League of American Orchestras, about performances of Messiaen's
Turangalila-Symphonie.

Personally, I think Harold Shapero's Symphony for a Classical Orchestra
would be as popular as Gershwin, except that few have ever heard it or
ever will.  But I'll shut up now.

Donald Clarke

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