Jim Tobin wrote in response to me: >>Tchaikovsky was a great melodist; memorable ones abound in Romeo >>& Juliet, the last three symphonies, and the three famous ballets. >>I just don't like his presentation. > >Explain "presentation." My meaning of "presentation" was what Tchaikovsky does with a melody once he introduces it. From my end, Tchaikovsky introduces a melody and then takes it into an extremely high level of sugar-coated emotional excess, ruining my enjoyment. It's "over the top" based on my subjective preferences. That's about it. Don Satz [log in to unmask]