Mikael Rasmusson wrote concerning my view that Tchaikovsky's music is
emotionally excessive:

>Could you be more specific?  I think his climaxes are well prepared
>and motivated, that's why I don't consider them excessive.

Specifics would include the famous piano concerto theme and portions of
the fourth and sixth symphony.  My view of this "excess" is subjective,
but consistent with my general view of emotionally excessive music.

I certainly do not think that Tchaikovsky's music is not well prepared.
He is one of the true masters of classical music, and that's why I, from
time to time, go back to him to see if my view has changed.  So, I don't
feel his music is lacking excellence; I just don't appreciate it fully.  If
I had a gift for composition, I could never compose in a similar fashion.
My personality would not allow it or even conceive of it.

Don Satz
[log in to unmask]