Bob Draper wrote:

>I'm being facetious of course because in my view all these people and
>Mozart himself are contemporaries of Joseph Haydn and I therefore find
>the title of the series offensive.
>
>If you want to know what I've been moaning about these last few months
>then the name of this series provides part of the answer.
>
>How condescending and patronising to describe Micheal Haydn and Stamitz
>as mere contemporaries of Mozart.

I've only been on this list for the past couple of months to realize
that you are Haydn's true hero!  Personally, I didn't take the title to
be condescending.  I just wanted to let you know that my wife, who has been
in the music retail business for 15 some years, agrees with you.  In fact,
this started a little Sunday afternoon debate.

She assumes that it's a marketing tool.  I agree that it is unfortunate
that Mozart is more well known, at least amongst the general public, than
Papa Haydn; Sandra thinks that it will help *catch* the shopper's eye.  She
argued that a composer should not be mentioned, especially if the works of
such are not performed.

Personally, I couldn't care if the title was the Top 10 of the 18th
century.  I heard some of it and liked it.  I guess this may not be the
case for all CD shoppers.

At any rate, being the smart husband, I'm sittin' on a fence.  I agree that
she has a good point.  Notwithstanding the title, it's the music dictates
my passion.

Cheers, Iain and Sandra Simons