He does seem to bring out that response in some people (viz. Paul
Snook, was it,'s derogation of his music as dull in Fanfare, back around
1995?) I've enjoyed what I've heard, though, and am hoping to pick up
the new Timpani CD of his 4th quartet at some point. (Viz. webpage at
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1489/ropartz.html - not recently updated,
but shameless plug- sorry.)
Some of his music can be most enjoyable and I can only point a prospective
listener in the direction of such a work as the pieces for woodwind
quintet, if they can find it; I seem to recall being told the prelude,
marine et chansons (on a Decca CD) is rather good as well.
-Eric Schissel