Anyone into classical music?

[AllTorque]

OK, I expect to be shot down in flames here, but have recently started listening to a bit of classical music. I've always liked Clair de Lune by Debussey, and Tchaikovsky's violin concerto, but want to broaden my horizons a bit.

Can anyone recommend some moving pieces of music, perhaps above and beyond the usual tv-ad type stuff, that you go back to time and time again?


[small]If you want to give reasons as to why it's emotional for you then go ahead, but I hold no responsibility for shed tears (but I guess other outhouse weeping is ok, be it conservatory, or dog kennel).

[speedychrissie]

not normally my kind of hting but when i was revising i found it quite nice to listen to.

a few pieces that i have and like are:
The Moldau- Smetana
Melodia Africana 3- Ludivico Einaudi
Track 6 on Beethoven's Der Unbekannte Beethoven, Vol. 1 (mainly cos one of my friends can play this piece perfectly)
also a fair bit of the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. quite nice ot listne to.

chris

[esselte]

Try some Elgar.

[anhamgrimmar]

unfortunatly my classical knowledge is actually limited to what i see on adverts/films.

without the adverts/films i would never have heard:

Handel's sarabande (trainer advert)
Delibe's Lakme (flower duet, from the BA ads)
Barber's adagio for strings (Platoon)
Carl Orff's Carmina Burana (old spice/the omen)
Strauss's blue danube waltz (2001:aso)
Wagner's Die Valkyre (Apocalypse now)
Verdi's anvil chorus (levi's i think)

and searchin for them led me to:
Faures pavane,
Faures pie jesu
Rimsky Korsakoff's flight of the bumblebee
Elgar's Jerusalem


oh, and slightly different, but hearing the Last Post (UK) or Taps (US) never fails to put my neck hairs on end

[AllTorque]

Was hoping for specific pieces. I like Elgar's Nimrod - any others you'd recommend?

[JagLover]

I'm no expert

But 4 Seasons by Vivaldi is very good.

[MOTCO]

AllTorque said:

Was hoping for specific pieces. I like Elgar's Nimrod - any others you'd recommend?

Try the rest of the Enigma Variations, and then more Elgar. Progress to Mahler, Richard Strauss. and so on.....

Oh, and then there's Verdi and Puccini operas, always good for goose bumps.

[Tank Slapper]

Moving in what way? 'Classical music' encompases such a huge variety.

My favorite piece of music is Mahler's 5th symphony. It has some incredible writing in it - starts very darkly, but the last movement is exhilarating, especially to play.

Elgar's Enigma Variations - you will probably know Nimrod, but it's much better in context.

If you mean moving in a sad way, then Kindertotenlieder by Mahler, but do expect to . The name says it all.

The BBC proms are on at the moment, and they are a good way to broaden your horizens - they are usually on Radio 3.

[Tank Slapper]

MOTCO said:

Oh, and then there's Verdi and Puccini operas, always good for goose bumps.

Turandot

[Chim_Knee]

YHM, mate.

[WildCat]

Bach - Brandenburg Concertos. Also "Polonaise" und "Menuet" from Orchestral Suite No2.

Gluck - "Orpheus und Eurydice"

Handel - Water Music und Firework Music too.

Mahler - most of his work.syphony No 1 ist one I listen to more of...

Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata (Piano Sonata 14/29)

Schuhmann - Carneval

Mendelssohn - - The Venetian Gondola

Mozart - most. Piano Concerto no 9 Flute Concerto No 2 und the usual from Cosi fan Tutte..und Marriage of Figaro und eine kelien Nachtmusik which all appera in those adverts.

Strauss family - most of their works ist uplifting of spirits.


Have quite a collection... Bizet, Delibes, Chopin, Debussy, Vivaldi, Haydn, Brahms und Liszt,

Delius - In a summer garden...


Grainger - Country gardens

Hope this gives idea. Why not visit classical section of record shop und ask if you can listen to some samples...und build up collection und knowledge that way

[ErnestM]

If you like good "anthem" style classical music try Berlioz.

What type of classical are you looking for?

ErnestM

[Chim_Knee]

ErnestM said:

What type of classical are you looking for?

AllTorque said:

Can anyone recommend some moving pieces of music, perhaps above and beyond the usual tv-ad type stuff, that you go back to time and time again?

So, I reckon some lesser known adagios/movements in well known pieces.

Beethovens Sonata No 13 "Pathetique", 2nd Movement for example.

Trouble is, moving means different things to different people doesn't it!

Stirring = moving?
Emotive = moving?

and so on!

[AllTorque]

I particularly like single instruments against an orchestral background (i.e concerto), because I feel that more emotion can be conveyed by the soloist in this context. I guess "moving" was a pretty poor description - just interested in people's faves so I can search them out and see if I like them. Definitely want to try Mahler's 5th - is that the Death in Venice music?

For some reason I just don't like the jaunty, happy stuff a la Handel's water music or Mozarts horn concerto

[ZR1cliff]

I love all the old favourites like the Blue Danube and the music from 'Apocolypse Now'that accompanies the chopper attack,excuse me for being vague but ime in the vien of knowing what i like when i hear it but the titles are so bloody long i dont remember them

John Barry wrote a lovely piece for 'Somewhere in time',in fact alot of John Barry's stuff is good its just because he still alive they are not classics yet

Some Beautiful hymns are classics and stirring stuff like 'Land of hope and glory'(Elgar & Benson),Elgar did other pomp and cicumstance that for some reason i relate to the RAF, 'Jerusalem' (Blake &Parry)my favourite hymn,with fantasic words 'I will not cease from mental Fight,nor shall my sword sleep in my hand'
,its worth buying one of the CD's of the last night of the prom to get some of your favs.

I woke up to a piece of music (Obo and Clarinets) being played on one of the terrestrial channels the other night, i had only heard it the once but it was beautiful,i cant remember the title although i know it was being played at the Albert Hall and the musicians were a group of Palestinians and Jews that were trying to promote peace and had met in an airport lounge?who were now touring the world with their compilations,anyone throw light on this?

[GetCarter]

You needn't be ashamed about liking classical music, just like you needn't be ashamed of driving a decent car. Just be careful who you tell.

Personally, I'd reccommend:

www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J2PS/qid=1124539192/sr=8-6/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i6_xgl/026-9558909-2630826

a 2 CD snip at £8

You won't regret it.

Steve

[C C]

There is such a broad spectrum of music bundled into the Classical genre.

Checkout Radio 3 or Classic FM in the evenings or at weekends.

Classic FM-TV on sky is a lovely way to chill out for an hour or two.

[singlecoil]

ZR1cliff said:

in fact alot of John Barry's stuff is good

Masterly understatement.
As far as I'm concerned he's the best composer of the 20th century by a long long way

[singlecoil]

Anyone who likes a recognizable tune in their classical music might like to try some of the russian stuff, eg Scheherezade by Rimsky Korsakov, and Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgusky

[ZR1cliff]

singlecoil said:

ZR1cliff said: in fact alot of John Barry's stuff is good Masterly understatement. As far as I'm concerned he's the best composer of the 20th century by a long long way

Was a bit,think i might take a look at one of his cd's later.