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About this quote

What does it mean?
Too much counterpoint is excessive, and Protestant counterpoint is considered even worse.
In plain terms
Excessive counterpoint is bad, especially in a Protestant style.
What can you take from it?
Musical styles can be criticized for being too complex or dry.

Where it applies

  • criticism
  • composition
  • performance

Putting it to work

  • evaluating music
  • understanding style
  • critiquing works

Questions to consider

  • What musical styles do you dislike?
  • Does religious context affect music quality?

Another view

This reflects subjective taste rather than objective quality.

More from Thomas Beecham

  1. Asked if he had ever conducted any Stockhausen, he said, 'No, but I once trod in some.'

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  2. A musicologist is a man who can read music but can't hear it.

    Permalink to quote #4
  3. Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty. Magical music never leaves the memory.

    Permalink to quote #1

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