Charles Dalmas wrote:

>Well, I have a couple.  First off, Louis Spohr (or Ludwig, auf Deutsch).
>
>This genius actually compared Beethoven to Cow Manure.  He thought of
>himself as the greatest composer of the early 18th century.  Speaking
>as a clarinet player, I can say that his four concertos are specious and
>superficial.  All four put together have less good music in them than one
>movement of the Beethoven Opus 11 Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano.
>The rest of his work (that which I have heard) is equally dull and
>uninteresting.

Strangely last night I was listening to Spohr's clarinet concertos 3 and 4,
John Denham on Carlton Classics.  I thought what a heap of junk these are.
Then this morning I read Charles post.

Actually 4 is somewhat better than 3 particularly the last two movements.
But it's all pretty soulless stuff.  For some reason, also, I find the
clarinet a difficult instrument to appreciate.

But Spohr overrated!  Come off it.  Who exactly is overrating him apart
from himself.

Thankfully, so far most members of the list have not taken the bait on
this thread and the expected bloodbath has not ensued.

Bob Draper
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