James Tobin wrote: >As a followup to the Bach and Vivaldi discussion, in which Don Satz >clearly articulated his thoughts about the differences in their >appeal--or lack of it for some--I wonder if anyone has such strong >thoughts on the subject of Telemann. I don't particularly find Telemann to be a great composer, but I have always found his music to be satisfying. I am especially fond of the twelve Fantasies for solo flute. >At a conference, once, I heard Peter Kivy reiterate a thought expressed in >one of his books, that he could "prove" that Bach was the greater of the >two German Baroque composers. Don't you just hate that nonsense? I certainly hold Bach in the very highest regard, but I think he himself would have been appalled at such comparisons. He, after all, considered his work to be for the glory of God, not Bach! I think that Bach would have spoken very highly of Buxtehude, Vivaldi and Telemann. >Without getting into proofs of greatness, does anyone find that their >taste for Bach makes Telemann unappetizing? (To tip my own hand, I >find all three of these composers satisfying in different ways.) Me too and add Buxtehude to the mix! Kevin Sutton