Actually, I'm finding it really hard to think of an instrument I don't like.  the Flute can get on my nerves, but then I think of Debussy's L'Apres Midi.

The Clarinet, when played badly can make a terrible drain-like sound - but then I think of Sabine Meyer and all is forgiven.

The Baroque Violin sometimes makes me sick with its ceaseless pairing of notes, but then I think of some fine performances by the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and I'm happy with it again.

So I'm gradually getting to the conclusion that it's the player rather than the instrument........

But I haven't got to thinking about trumpets yet.......

Tommo

I think my least favourite instument is the Indian cymbal, but only when bowed. This distaste relates to a particular occasion which I will not go into, except to say that it was broadcast, as a 'live' recording on Radio 3 some decades ago. I never did quite forgive the perpetrator, who, sadly, later took his own life.

Thompson is right IMO. While I admit I have never heard anything I liked played on an electric (esp. Hammond - think Monty Python's "Wise Old King Otto" sketch) I am prepared to be pleasantly surprised. With both my parents teaching music it soon became apparent that the best instrument played clumsily is painful to hear, but even an inferior instrument in the hands of somebody who knows how to play can produce an entirely different impression.

as for Milly's comments on sitar, I remember a traditional Indian musician recounting a story of having spent a few minutes tuning up in front of the (Western) audience before the performance, to be rewarded with enthusiastic applause! If only it was always that easy.

Peter Grimes, is that Messiaen you have as your postage stamp?

I started reading this thread with the thought that there aren't really any instruments I actually detest in principle. Then George reminded me that yes, there is one and the mark tree is it.

I have even gone into print with the opinion that it's an instrument for which there is never an excuse. Some tasteless galah used one in an orchestration of the Prokofiev flute sonata as a clarinet concerto. He then wrote in the programme notes something to the effect that his own orchestrational ability was better than Prokofiev's clumsy efforts.

Reading which Ollie could have been observed steaming vigorously.

Kitty - that's just what it sounds like to me.  Some awful string thingy being tuned up - all the time!

plink plonk plinky plonk twaaaaaaangggg plink - oh no!  Awful!

I see there have been a few nominations for the saxophone. I think it's a shame that classical composers did not use it more before it came to be so closely associated with jazz and pop music, because I think it has a lot to offer. Think of the moment in the Hary Janos Suite, the defeat of Napoleon. What other instrument would have been so effective? Prokofiev made good use of it in a few places too. But I can never make my mind up about Ravel's orchestration of the old castle in Pictures. At least it suits the range of the alto very well.

I think my nightmare would be a quartet for banjo, concertina, recorder and tuba. Let's hope no one ever writes one, though it wouldn't surprise me if someone already has.

I haven't really been a fan of the alto sax in Pictures for some time. If you have a look at the score you'll see Ravel put a glissando marking between the first two notes. I don't think you ever hear it, partly because the two notes are on opposite sides of the register break and are very hard to slide between...

By the way there's a line for the sax at the beginning of Baba Yaga in the score. Which suggests Ravel might have been thinking of using it there. I wonder what for?