Hi nik, good to see you here!
Erm yes, caught me in another rant...
In fact I'm scared to read what I wrote, I think I might have internet tourettes syndrome or something similar! It happens about once a week or something! ( Actually there was a reason for my ridiculously high levels of cynicism today, it has to do with library music...!)
I wasn't speaking about the decline of contemporary music, I must have worded my post poorly. Once again, I know little about modern concert hall works, so I can't speak for them. However....... Imo the music on tv and film used to be a lot better (generally speaking - actually family guy music is pretty cool!), but yes that's just one man's opinion!
Gardener, it certainly is possible to sing along to Beethoven's fifth. I agree it could be considered motivic, rather than melodic, but it's certainly memorable whatever word suits it best.
To the original poster, the best thing to do when you feel you are being bombarded with somebody else's music (it can and will happen), is not to be critical, not even to criticise the music in your head, but to just ignore it. I find it difficult but it can be done. Problem is, composer's have to analyse everything, and I really find it hard to listen to music as a human being rather than a composer/critic.
Nik, 80% of the music you listen to is the music you like! I suppose the same would be true for me, if I didn't have a younger sister, and I should probably watch a little less television. Oh also, university campuses contain a lot of dangerously loud techno music, especially at 3 in the morning, right below me (I actually had to move rooms it was so bad..!)
Ps... I'm actually starting to like that Messaien piece, the Turangalila (The joy of blood stars). The 2nd section of this movement is just too much for me though!