Robert Clements replies to me ...

>>Is it true to say that all music was avant-garde at one time?  Especially
>>major genres.
>
>No
>
>By & large, the most highly respected classical & romantic composers of
>today were popular in their own days.  ...

Is the lack of acceptance of music in its own time a defining
characteristic of the avant-garde genre? Seriously asking and not being
nit picky.

Bill Pirkle