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You might as well vote, then, Kevin 

You know Mark for some reason I didn't see the poll last time. I guess I was blind but now I see! 

Well, I guess everyone knows by now that I would be for it.   

Kevin

I have no problem with photos of the members accompanying posts.  But little cartoon avatars, while providing some degree of clues into a personality, I believe actually promote distance rather than closeness among members.  I'm for a photo or nothing at all.

Well, what was in my mind, since this IS a classical music forum, would be to allow pics of yourself or your favorite composers. I would use one of Nielsen personally, and yes that does reflect my personality! It may not be as personal as a pic of myself but it would be preferred. I honestly cannot think how anyone can think having a pic that identifies you is juvenile. It's just beyond my comprehension. I guess I need more education or something!

Kevin

Why not?

When we set up the Raff Forums there was a general feeling against Avatars, the little pictures displayed next to each poster's name in each post. They were felt to be distracting and juvenile.

Forgive me because I am new here but this seems a little condescending. I have been an adminstrator on message boards for a number of years. Avatars give visual interest to a board and also allow another member to quickly identify a poster without having to read their name every time. Most people are visual and I do find it much more efficient. Plus a selected avatar gives clues as to personality. Anyway, it upsets me when I see attitudes like this.

Kevin

I appreciate the information about this work. I just ordered a copy. I hope I did it right because the fields seemed different from what I am used to but if they have a problem I guess they'll contact me.

Kevin

I accept the correction about the Copland spelling. I know better and yet made the mistake. Thanks for all the replies. It's been fun to read and learn of some names I was not familiar with. So, I will undoubtedly wind up spending more money on more recordings and thus the obsession goes on and on!

I really do love Amy Beach's material. She was really gifted and seldom heard.

Kevin

Thanks for all the replies! I was not aware of the two online review sites, and you are right Ilja MusicWeb does need a serious overhaul. Very outdated visually. I have perused copies of Fanfare in the past but have not seen American Record Guide. I might have to try a year subscription and see if I like it.

Anyway, your recommendations and comments are much appreciated. 

Kevin

Not sure where to put this as neither category seems to fit.

I was wondering is any of the members have subscriptions to any classical music magazines and what they think are the best? I have not subscribed to a magazine in years. I used to subscribe to Ovation Magazine in the 1980s but it went defunct long ago. I kind of wish it was still going as I really enjoy reading it. Perhaps because it was a little less technical and had good interviews and articles. I'm quite familiar with Gramophone and the BBC magazines but both are little pricey. Any off the beaten track type mags that anyone can recommend?

Kevin

I was wondering what American composers the members enjoyed? I suppose almost everyone would name Aaron Copeland, Leonard Bernstein and Ferde Grofé, but how many would name George Chadwick, Howard Hanson, David Diamond? Or maybe there are some others that you think are worth a listen. Who would they be?

Kevin

Welcome aboard, Kevin!  Who conjured you out of the clay?

I think it was Zardoz! 

Thanks for the welcome! I hope to learn a lot here. Not sure I contribute much but I will give it my best. 

Kevin

Hi all....I know this thread is kind of old but I'm new to the site.

For me my journey started through listening to rock music as a young man. It must be part of my personality but I always sought out those artists that nobody else was listening to. That led to me discovering progressive rock before it was cool to listen to it. Progressive rock led me to seeking out classical and jazz music that influenced much of it.

I think I was 16 when the sci-fi movie Zardoz, starring Sean Connery, hit the theaters. The main theme was Beethoven's 7th symphony and I had to stay through the credits to find out who wrote this wonderful music. Well, after that I started buying whatever VOX box sets I could afford. Of course much of my early adventures were the famous artists but as my love for classical music grew over the years so did my love for discovery and listening to composers that were not commonly listened to. I suppose one of my first discoveries was John Field, the contemporary of Beethoven. I suppose is Beethoven had not been born Field would have been recognized as the greatest composer of the classical era.

Anyway, I discovered Raff many years ago and have owned several CDs of his compositions. What brought me here was I recently purchased the Complete Piano Trios and did a Google search on Raff. It's great to learn that there are others out here who love his music and also love other unknowns. I hope to get some tips about what to add to my ever growing collection.

My most recent discovery is a Finnish composer Leevi Madetoja. Has anyone else heard his wonderful symphonies? He is fabulous!!

Kevin