Steve Schwartz wrote: >Humperdinck to me stands just slightly behind Wagner and Strauss as a >Wagnerian-opera composer, and I'm at a bit of a loss to explain his rather >low profile among classical-music lovers. Perhaps Humperdinck's low profile among classical-music lovers is mainly due to his low profile among record companies. More often than not, a composer needs a *champion* who could be a world-known conductor or performer, or a corporate entity employing a powerhouse marketing team. I listen to many composers for whom I see no artistic reason for their relative neglect. The reasons they are neglected have nothing to do with compositional excellence. They just didn't and might never get the right breaks. Mahler got the right breaks. He had champions who made sure that the public would have ample opportunity to judge for themselves. Of course, it helps to be a great composer. Don Satz [log in to unmask]