Obscure Composers

The author begins: I will let you in on a little secret. The classical world is prejudiced. If it’s not Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, (or maybe Bartók), some, most? classical listeners think it’s inferior by definition, and not worthy of attention. Virtually each of us has had some degree of symptoms, even if sub-clinical. Yes, even your author. So, to ameliorate the situation, I set off for musical parts unknown, seeking out obscure composers, those rarely or never heard, and lo and behold, got a set of music to enjoy perhaps 10 times larger than before. From some names I had never heard before (Holmboe, Mompou), and some I had but were not familiar with (Diamond). Plus many, many others. I share my findings with you to encourage the shaking off of moribund listening habits, the dross and calcium that impacts one’s brain after decades of listening to only the top 50 classical pieces, and refresh and reinvigorate your mind and spirit.