I read Nathan Bello's article on Wagner [MMD 020426] with much
interest.  Though I confess I am not a fan of Wagner's music, his
work certainly is thought-provoking.

Curiously enough, I was reading some miscellaneous works by Mark
Twain recently. In the middle of the 19th century Twain earned his
living as a newspaper journalist, and became embroiled in the
controversy that existed at that time surrounding Wagner's music.
Critics were complaining that Wagner's music was "loud and boring".
The soon-to-be-famous writer came to the famous composer's rescue.
I don't recall the exact words but, essentially, Mark Twain said,
"Actually, Wagner's music isn't as bad as it sounds."

Cheers

Doug Rhodes

 [ I searched the 'Net trying to find the Twain work it appears in,
 [ but I had no success.  Several web sites credit a similar saying,
 [ "Wagner's music is better than it sounds," to humorist Edgar
 [ Wilson Nye (1850-1896).  But no matter who created it, it's one
 [ of the great "put downs" of music!  -- Robbie