I was not surprised to note that Mr Grew had resigned, but saddened. As for myself, the situation was as follows:

A few weeks ago when there was some general difficulty with another Member, I offered this advice in one of my postings: "The best way to know how you really are is to observe and inwardly digest the way others around you see you."

As a contributor to at least two recent and fairly contentious threads, I found myself in the same position! I noted how others around me were seeing me, and it was NOT the way I wanted to be seen. For that reason I decided that it would be in my best interest for a time to withdraw from this MB (while still, of course, keeping up with its contents). It is a vibrant and interesting MB, and I find those who contribute to it (for the most part) engaging and stimulating people. I wish it well.

I don't know about Mr Grew, but he probably like me may find it a little confusing that having (in my case for the above reasons) resigned last Thursday I still seems to be "semi active" as a Member. Indeed, this is how I am still managing to post this! When I have sent this posting, I shall again renew my resignation. But I know that a message will appear telling me that I cannot resign without the approval of the Moderators.

I should therefore ask them if they might be gracious enough on this occasion to ALLOW me to resign without further delay. When so released from such "limbo" it might then be possible at a future date to consider renewing my subscription at a time I feel appropriate.

I wish everyone well.

Baz 

Baz,

Thanks for that explanation. It is not only clear in itself, but also clears up some questions that I'm sure had arisen in others' minds as well as mine.

For what it's worth, I've always found your posts on - shall we say - the 'non-contentious' threads to be among the most stimulating and informative of any on these boards. I won't pretend, and don't see the point in pretending, that I haven't often regretted both the tone and the content of some of your posts on other threads, but I never found myself able to come to any definite conclusion with respect to your intentions in those posts, and often felt it was a case of both you and your interlocutors (including myself) having been pushed into a statement of your/their opinions which didn't do justice to the subtlety and the humanity of the person holding them.

My own last post on the thread which precipitated your departure was intended to express my bewilderment at some things you said which I was sure didn't represent you at your best, although when I looked at it again a day or two later I could see that it might have come across as more combative than that.

I do hope you'll return in time, not least because if I hope that the boards may again start to feel like a more welcoming place for you in future then I can also hope they may again become a more welcoming place for the not inconsiderable number of other posters who have found this an occasionally stressful environment of late.

Speaking as a Mort and not a Mod here, yes, it's a shame that Baz has chosen to go and wants the door closed. I may not be able to keep up with him, but I always found his posts wonderfully informative and instructive. Perhaps in another incarnation, Baz?

Edit. Just seen Anty's post. Oops, unfortunate timing. Just posting as meself. As Mods do y'know. No office politics involved.

Anty, stop stirring it. We are watching you. Baz asked specifically to be granted instant exit. SCGrew has re-emerged at at TOP in Muchboggery guise. When Baz feels it appropriate, he can easily enough return here.

Go in peace Baz. I will certainly miss your erudition. (Or to put it another way, now I'll have to pay for my education, like everyone else)

I'm truly sorry to see both Baz and Sydney Grew depart. Their thread 'Ninety-six crackpot interpretations' was enlightening and provided a great deal of insight into an area of which I knew little. Baz, if you're reading this, I'm enjoying Leonhardt's discs of the 48, as well as continuing to enjoy the Bach Edition.