This older message thread in the Raff Forum has been archived. Just click on the icon to email the writer direct. To see all the archived messages return to the Message archive.

Unfortunately it is not possible to add further messages to this archived threads. Instead, just start a new thread in the current Raff Forums.

Posted by	Message
Mark   22/4/2004	Subject: Hang on a minute! Isn't this the RAFF Forum? Message: Running this site, I try to keep a low profile and I am very loath to blow a whistle. However, the time has come to remind ourselves that this Forum is the "Raff Forum". I do not want to inhibit discussion about other composers and indeed it one of the strengths of our community that our interests range much wider than just the good Joachim. How else could we put his achievements and failings into perspective? Of course, I'm delighted that postings here of late have greatly increased in number. Unfortunately, some threads have also strayed far from this particular forum's raison d'etre. The Furtive Musical Pleasures thread is a prime example. It now totals 72 posts and Raff's name is mentioned but rarely. It has also exposed some limitations in the software which runs the Forum, of which I was unaware when I set up the facility. So I'm going to take the opportunity as soon as I can to upgrade the software and have at least two forums (or should it be fora?). One will be the existing Raff Forum and the other "Unsung Composers" which will be the appropriate place to post all those non-Raff messages. That way, we will retain our sense of community whilst having the ability to have both Raff-specific and wider ranging discussions without alienating anybody. It may take me a few weeks to carry out this upgrade, which is by no means a cosmetic operation. In the meantime I don't want to curb non-Raff postings , but we would all benefit if they were prefaced with "Off Topic", so that those interested purely in Raff can improve their signal to noise ratio. I'd appreciate your comments. Best wishes to all, Mark
Steve Benson   23/4/2004	RE: Hang on a minute! Isn't this the RAFF Forum? IP: Logged Message: Mark, am OK with your idea to have a seperate non-Raff, other unsung composers thread; with, in the meantime, prefacing any non Raff specific threads with "OffTopic". I agree that a "Raff Forum" should, primarily, be about its declared subject, and I do like Raff, but have been very glad of the chance to compare notes with people about other, mainly 19th century composers, so think developing a second non Raff forum is an excellent and necessary idea too. There does not seem anywhere else on the 'net for this sort of in-depth, wideranging discussion of these composers(except for one-off or shortlived groups of postings). Thanks. Steve Benson
Mark   23/4/2004	RE: Hang on a minute! Isn't this the RAFF Forum? IP: Logged Message: Thanks, Steve.
FERNANDO OLIVA   23/4/2004	RE: Hang on a minute! Isn't this the RAFF Forum? IP: Logged Message: Dear Mark, I beg your pardon for the Off-topic messages and entries by mi side. I am Guilty. I have no excuses, but I am a so Classical Romantic music enthusiast and I lived since I was 14 years and I am living nowadays my passion alone, in solitude. There are not Classical Music keens among my family and friends and I could not speak on music much often. Thaks to this Forum I knew more friends that also have my passion, and fortunately for my, a really experts that could ais me in my musical education development. I would like give you many thanks in advance for the alternative Forum on Neglected Composers, and also for your efforts by the Raff cause defense. And also would like give many thanks to the other friends (John B., John F., Peter, Steven, Jack, Jamie, Luis, Eric, etc.) for their always expert opinons and your nice musical recommendations. Nowadays, I recognize my life will be poor and sad if this Forum disappear. I promise you, Mark, to write my new entries about other composer adding the Off-topic preface. Best wishes, Fernando. PS - My musical technical ignorance is due I could not study music when I was young and today I am too busy at work to study seriously it. I only could read much about Music History when I had got free trime. By this, your expert opinions are so importants for me. Cheers, F.
Jack Kelso   23/4/2004	RE: Hang on a minute! Isn't this the RAFF Forum? IP: Logged Message: Yes, I was expecting this would come....Raff was always the "star" of our productions, but then the supporting players (Volkmann, Gade, Bruch, Gernsheim, Goldmark, etc.) began appearing with greater regularity. Thanks, Mark---for your understanding and hard work, and for creating a second group, which will also become very interesting as time goes on. This discussion group is the best classical music forum on the entire web. I contrubute to two others, but the enthusiasm, openness, friendliness and rare contributions that we enjoy here is nowhere else (to my knowledge) to be found. The alternative forum will be great in many ways. Not only are other Romantic period composers worthy of their own "renaissance", but there are several "greats" out there who have written marvelous, but unappreciated works (hmmm---to whom could I be referring...?!). Jack
peter conole   24/4/2004	RE: Hang on a minute! Isn't this the RAFF Forum? IP: Logged Message: Mark I agree with you, for a range of very positive resaons. The 'Furtive Pleasures' thread (I plead guilty) was/is an education and information exchangeu delight, and it enabled so many people to open up on a range of issues that are central to discussion of Raff (yes, I still trumpet his name as that of a master musician). The key one is, that apart from the unique qualities of his music, beloved Raff is a great musical symbol. Have used the metaphor before, but apart from anything else, Raff is a kind of chieftain, virtually the flagship of a great armada of forgotten musical heroes. He stands as a fine example of the shameful and unforgivable neglect of entire generations of outstanding 19th century composers. Jack's comments are very much to the point. I have scouted around just a little, and I have to agree the Joachim Raff Society forum is pretty much in a class of its own. I know the like cannot be found elsewhere. You must be pretty proud of your achievement and I state without the slightest intent of flattery that you and other long term 'labourers in the vineyard' may be developing something that could be a major force both for good and positive change in the music discussion landscape. By undertaking the development of another concurrent 'forum' you have may well be increasing your own short-term labours Mark, but I would seriously suggest that in the long term it will still be very much relevant to the central issue. That is, dignifying and enhancing the image, reputation and exposure of Raff. The bonus is both a musical and a historical one - his musical peers will, god willing, be increasingly brought in from the shadows, for the edification, education and ultimate enjoyment of current and future readers and listeners. As a recent participant in the forum, I must thank yet again for all your work and depth of knowledge and understanding. The 'off-topic' heading is a great idea as an interim measure. Fernando, once I have finished giving the Saint Saens piano concertos due attention and respect, will post a response in that way. Howver, please note that Raff will still rate a mention in that response! regards Peter