Tony Duggan writes:

>>In fact it would be hard to overestimate the contribution of British
>>composers to 20th century music.  It far outweighs that of some
>>countries I could mention.

to which Don Satz adds:

>The 20th century contributions of British composers may well outweigh the
>contributions from the American side; that's nothing unexpected either.
>The U.S. has been a great source of 'contribution' to many areas of life,
>but art music is not one of our strengths or priorities

Hello?  Has no one here ever heard of Charles Ives, Samuel Barber,
John Cage, Morton Feldman, Virgil Thompson, Alan Hovhaness, Lou Harrison,
Harry Partch, Earl Brown, Elliot Carter, John Corigliano, Virgil Thompson,
Anthony Braxton, Alvin Lucier, Jacob Druckman, Leaonard Bernstein, Steve
Reich, Terry Riley, Frederic Rzewski, Christain Wolff, John Harbison, Glenn
Branca, Ruth Crawford Seeger, Henry Cowell, Morton Sobotnik, Phillip Glass,
Ned Rorem, William Schuman and Aaron Copland?

This is an outstanding list of incredible talent.  When I look at a list
of English composers, I just don't see this kind of genius and diversity.
Certainly Britten ranks the best of them, and I'll even grant you Vaughn
Williams (although, having just listened to the "Sea Symphony, I'm having
doubts) But Rubbra?  Simpson?  Maw? (he's English, isn't he?)  Torke, and
the whole Argo gang?  (although I will admit that Michael Nyman is high on
my list of guilty pleasures).

At the risk of sounding like a real philistine, I must admit that much of
the English music mentioned by the other contributors sounds rather much
alike.  I have tried (and spent a fortune) to give Simpson, Brian, etc.,
their due, but I just fail to find anything in their offerings that justify
an honored status equal to that of the above list of American composers,
all of which have their own unique voice.

But, I assure you I have an open mind!  If anyone can offer a suggestion
as to what Really Great work by Simpson or Rubbra I should audition (or
anything at ALL listenable on Marco Polo) I would be greatful.

"Linda Phillips" <[log in to unmask]>