I wouldn't want to be hard on Al--though I totally disagree that classical music has "no soul whatsoever"--especially the Romantic literature-- Tschaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherezade, Brahms symphonies, Schumann piano concerto in a minor--and on and on.

But I suspect Al did not grow up with classical music. It would be fascinating to know how many of us who love it grew up with it at home-I suspect a large percentage. It would also be of interest to know how many have played or sung it in a good group. Somebody who fits none of the the above (and they are of course linked) would be unlikely to love it, I think.

It's the old stereotype of classical lovers being stuck up--and unable to appreciate real gutsy music--of "the people"--both "folk music" and popular music--esp R & B and/or country. And of course there are some classical fans who are total musical snobs--think that all pop music--at least since the start of the rock era-- is trash. They're missing a lot too--just like the people who cut themselves off to classical music.