Why No British Classical Greats?

[doctordb]

Ok, there are some works of holst, Elgar, Williams and Britten that are exceptional but nothing to compare to the greats of European classical music.

In all the other arts we are up there. Why not classical music?

[Tilly2]

I thought Holst was Danish.

[Prudie]

I've often pondered this too. I'd also say that apart from 2 or 3 we're not really up there with the painters either.

[Zacs-Master]

Good question dr b. can't be lack of inspirational scenery. Maybe it was / is part of their culture / education more than ours.

[doctordb]

Tilly, I thought holst was born in Cheltenham, maybe not?

[doctordb]

Prudie, are your painters turner, constable and who?

[factor-fiction]

I think all 4 Brits you mentioned were English. I can't immediately think of any Scottish or Welsh ones either.
Nor can I think of Americans, Africans, Australians, Asians,...

[marval]

You are right about Holst doctordb

[Zacs-Master]

Maybe it's that were more technically minded? What we lack in the fine arts we make up for in engineering genii.

[Prudie]

I thought Gainsborough?

[Prudie]

I wondered that Zacs but then I thought of our poets, now they were world class

[doctordb]

Forgot him prudie, maybe that says it all.

[marval]

Do you mean the painter prudie?

[Ric.ror]

Oh I disagree
I think the works of Elgar compare with any especially the cello concerto
I cannot listen to Wagner or Beethoven because of the nazi connections

[doctordb]

What was happening musically in Britain at the same time of Beethoven etc?

[Tilly2]

Oh, you mean Gustav not Eduard. Sorry.

[Zacs-Master]

Good point Prudie.

[doctordb]

Ric, it is great cello concerto but, imo, way behind dvorak's.

[Buenchico]

As with so many things, money might be an important issue here.

Many of the great musicians from mainland Europe had royal patronage, so that they could do nothing except compose great works. Most British composers had far less time to spend on creating masterpieces, simply because they had to earn a living through (for example) teaching.

Many prominent European artists were funded by the Catholic Church which, after the Reformation, had far less influence here.

[Ric.ror]

Oh I like them both

[Zacs-Master]

Isn't he the leader of the Daleks?