Do PA proggers have the right prog balance?

I think Dean has his observation of how prog rockers compose spot on.

But why are we all accepting and overlooking the idea that pre-20th Century composers didn't work in that way. Prog rockers threw banter around because they were part of a group, an ensemble in which the musicians were also the writers. Mozart had no such partner(s) to talk to while composing, but that is the only real difference I can think of. It doesn't mean he didn't whack chords together willy nilly, or perhaps string together some unrelated melodies with a degree of spontaneity.

The chances of ANY composer actually writing a piece from start to finish, in order, without mulling things over or doing any editing or mixing up, is pretty small, I would guess. I've certainly never met anybody who would be able to say they can do that. Not composing in that way doesn't make one a bad composer anyway. I know that wasn't the point that was made, but the point that was made is that we shouldn't compare composers of classics to composers of prog, negatively or positively.

But, I say we can. 

I am inclined to believe that, while all composers are different, there is no method, style, level of education, lack of correct terminology, outlook or speed that I think should be important enough for us to consider two works any differently or apply any "handicaps". I think the end result is what matters and, sure, we may be comparing apples with oranges, but even by comparing such closely related bands as Yes and ELP, we are hardly comparing apples with apples!

The chances of ANY composer actually writing a piece from start to finish, in order, without mulling things over or doing any editing or mixing up, is pretty small, I would guess. I've certainly never met anybody who would be able to say they can do that.