Are you sentimental?

@exexec Me too. As a pianist I've been encouraged to keep it under control, but if Rachmaninov wasn't ashamed of it why should I be?

@Moodswings Too early to think but if you overdo interpretive intervention you're in danger of distorting the composer's intentions. A certain amount of objectivity and self-discipline are essential to avoid over-egging the pudding. Nothing worse than a Chopin Nocturne with the rhythmic flow pulled about like a pop song. That's the way I was conditioned in early childhood anyway. Styles in musical interpretation do change.

@Moodswings I see a difference between sentimentality and emotion or sensuality. I'm all in favour of the last two. Anyway; I don't eat eggs.

@Moodswings Sentimentality is basically morbid and a bit weak; more negative. I prefer something more affirmative. I don't see anything negative in emotion or enjoyment of sensuality, or even in nostalgia up to a point.How do you feel?

@Moodswings Maybe we're playing with words. I might agree with the not necessarily bit; it can be I think. Also I feel it can be insincere and not really thought out. I'm currently influenced a bit by a very recent death in the family and a lot of talk about seeing them soon in the next life. I am an atheist.

@Moodswings Thanks. It was more my wife's loss actually but that makes it partly mine. I'm not a stranger to mood swings!

@Moodswings She has a very cLear pure voice. I take it you're not Welsh.

@Moodswings Almost went to music college there but in the end opted for London. Home of the Halle; I think the BBC Phil are based in Leeds.

@Moodswings Good to know. Must get to hear them in the flesh sometime. On disc they're second-to-none.

@Moodswings A lot of classical is based on dance of course; like Pazzolla's tangos. Have to do something else right now. I'll keep a look out for you on here if I may. Night night.

@Moodswings Piazzolla is quite recent.