Expert: David Froom - 10/20/2004

Question
I respect your view in retrospect to apples and oranges but I can't help to raise a point. Can you really say that the topic of Symphony No.8 being not the most powerful piece of music is not viable? I know Schubert wasn't nearly as technically precise as Mozart in terms of knowledge of music, but isn't the overall composition and gratification you recieve from this piece worth mentioning? I can only put my views this way. "I recieve much gratification from a piece like "Jupiter" in terms of mental inspiration in retrospect to being so technical and precise. I recieve much gratification from a piece like "The Unfinished" in terms of mental inspiration in retrospect to being so poetically, and emotionally powerful" That being said, in retrospect and in contrast to the statement above; isn't poetry a more powerful influence to the human heart(heart is used in contrast to emotion) then that of math? So why can't I say that Symphony No.8 is the most emotionally powerful composition ever made?

Again the fact of apples and oranges comes into play but as a final note it is worth mentioning that Beethoven's Symphony No.5 is a direct expression of anger but in my opinion is less powerful or inspirational in terms of the arrangement and developement of the climax. Never-the-less the technicality of the composition is flawless. Thanks for your opinion.

Answer
I don't think I said you can't say that "Symphony No. 8 is the most emotionally powerful composition every made."  I just said that I myself wouldn't say that -- and that I don't think you can make any claims that this statement is universal..  You are entitled to your opinion.  And the argument isn't "math" vs. "heart" (and, by the way,  there is nothing wrong or inferior with Schubert's "math").  It is one person's heart vs. another person's heart.  I know musicians who don't particularly enjoy Schubert.  I adore Schubert, and I have been deeply moved by Symphony No. 8.  But most days, Mahler moves me more.  I also know many musicians who can't stand Mahler -- but we don't think any less of each other for not sharing this musical taste.

Some folks will agree with you.  Some will not.  The problem is that no one ever has come up with any way to make these kind of qualitative judgements into quantitative ones.  People have tried, none have succeeded.  It usually ends up being someone trying to explain the visceral reaction they themselves have -- and their puzzlement that this powerful reaction isn't the same one others have.  

I do admire and appreciate your passion.  You have your beliefs and feelings no matter what others think.  Getting more people on your side won't make your own reaction stronger.  At best, it might get someone to give this work another chance.  But most musicians I know do really like Schubert -- and really like the 8th Symphony.  Isn't that enough?

David Froom