recommend me some Classical/Opera
Discussion
Recently Ive found myself listening to more and more Classical music with the usual things like Samuel Barbers Adagio for Strings, Claude DeBussy - Clair De Lune etc being my main pieces of interest
It actually makes me want to waft to and from my destination without wanting to burry the throttle
Im looking at making a bit of compilation to listen to while out and about, but Im very new to all this so I would like you Ladies and Gents to recommend me some classical type music
I like the steady more relaxing music over the likes of the 1812 Overture
do your best
~S~
ETA:
Aaron Nevilles version of Ave Maria is excellent
It actually makes me want to waft to and from my destination without wanting to burry the throttle
Im looking at making a bit of compilation to listen to while out and about, but Im very new to all this so I would like you Ladies and Gents to recommend me some classical type music
I like the steady more relaxing music over the likes of the 1812 Overture
do your best
~S~
ETA:
Aaron Nevilles version of Ave Maria is excellent
For a really good 'ready made' compilation album try any of the Inspector Morse soundtracks - there are tracks on there that lead to me getting more into opera than I ever thought I would. And Morse was a PetrolHead as well so perfect for driving! Get the individual albums rather than the best of - they're not exactly expensive at £5 or so each and are good quality recordings as well. FWIW Vol 2 is my favourite, I especially love "Che Faro Senza Eurydice".
If you want a little taster before purchasing drop me a PM and I'll lend you a short excerpt which of course you must delete after listening to it! Or pop over to iTunes - I'm pretty sure it's on there.
If you want a little taster before purchasing drop me a PM and I'll lend you a short excerpt which of course you must delete after listening to it! Or pop over to iTunes - I'm pretty sure it's on there.
I know you said you wanted a compilation, but you can't fault 'Divenire' from Ludivico Einaudi. Very soothing. Il Giorni is also a good album. For an idea of what he's like download the single Divenire. I'd describe it as 'modern classical'. Very good.
Edited by johnnywb on Wednesday 26th September 20:08
I'd get yourself off to actually see a REAL opera in full. I've seen a couple done professionally - "The Marriage of Figaro" and "Aida". Both were cracking - with "Aida" being surprisingly moving.
I've also taken part ina couple myself with my operatic society - Bizet's "Carmen" and Kurt Weill's "Street Scene".
Have a listen to some operetta music as well, such as Lehar's "The Merry Widow" and Strauss' "Die Fliedermaus". Operettas often have nice music but the storyines are normally totally naff - especially if they've been translated from German or French. Britain's contribution to teh world of operetta was, of course, Gilbert and Sullivan and their stuff stands up quite well to modern tastes.
I've also taken part ina couple myself with my operatic society - Bizet's "Carmen" and Kurt Weill's "Street Scene".
Have a listen to some operetta music as well, such as Lehar's "The Merry Widow" and Strauss' "Die Fliedermaus". Operettas often have nice music but the storyines are normally totally naff - especially if they've been translated from German or French. Britain's contribution to teh world of operetta was, of course, Gilbert and Sullivan and their stuff stands up quite well to modern tastes.
If you're looking for classical stuff that promotes a calm and less excitable state for wafting purposes then see if you like Baroque or Rennaisance music (it doesn't have the contrast in dynamics that you find in e.g. 1812). Choral Evensong on R3 can be very relaxing, although could lead to dawdling! If it's not your cup of tea then why not try Classic FM for variety/ideas.
In general a slow beat = lower pulse = wafting.
In general a slow beat = lower pulse = wafting.
Eggcup said:
If you're looking for classical stuff that promotes a calm and less excitable state for wafting purposes then see if you like Baroque or Rennaisance music (it doesn't have the contrast in dynamics that you find in e.g. 1812). Choral Evensong on R3 can be very relaxing, although could lead to dawdling! If it's not your cup of tea then why not try Classic FM for variety/ideas.
In general a slow beat = lower pulse = wafting.
I have been listening to Classic FM recently although it didnt help last night when I was redlining the old mans 525iIn general a slow beat = lower pulse = wafting.
Damn upbeat crap
Chopin - Nocturnes op9 nos 1-3.
Heres a flavour of no.1 (b flat minor):
http://robiefamily.com/Music/Teddy/Teddy%20Robie%2...
They are all utterly beautiful and wonderfully relaxing Piano solos.
You could also try this for previewing suggestions made in this thread:
http://www.b3ta.cr3ation.co.uk/site/music-plus/
Heres a flavour of no.1 (b flat minor):
http://robiefamily.com/Music/Teddy/Teddy%20Robie%2...
They are all utterly beautiful and wonderfully relaxing Piano solos.
You could also try this for previewing suggestions made in this thread:
http://www.b3ta.cr3ation.co.uk/site/music-plus/
On the Beethoven theme, try his Piano Concerto no.5 "The Emperor". Then if you like that, go and buy the other 4. I would also recommend Symphony no.3 "Eroica". Good rousing stuff.
The trouble with classical recordings is that there are so many different interpretations. When it comes to Beethoven, anything conducted by Herbert von Karajan is generally going to be a good 'un. Avoid recordings by popular musicians. I'm thinking particularly Nigel Kennedy and his horrible violin. I don't care if it is a Strad, it sounds horrible.
Which brings me to Vivaldi. Despite the best efforts of Mr Kennedy and telephone and lift musak, I still like the Four Seasons. The one I prefer is by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Sir Neville Mariner - another reliable source of recordings. Also well worth a look are Vivaldi's Concerti for Lute (Guitar) and Concerti for Mandolin. These are the tunes you usually hear when there is a programme on TV about Venice etc.
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue is probably not technically classical music, but it is still a damn good listen. Especially if you have ever experienced New York or watched Tom and Jerry
The trouble with classical recordings is that there are so many different interpretations. When it comes to Beethoven, anything conducted by Herbert von Karajan is generally going to be a good 'un. Avoid recordings by popular musicians. I'm thinking particularly Nigel Kennedy and his horrible violin. I don't care if it is a Strad, it sounds horrible.
Which brings me to Vivaldi. Despite the best efforts of Mr Kennedy and telephone and lift musak, I still like the Four Seasons. The one I prefer is by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Sir Neville Mariner - another reliable source of recordings. Also well worth a look are Vivaldi's Concerti for Lute (Guitar) and Concerti for Mandolin. These are the tunes you usually hear when there is a programme on TV about Venice etc.
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue is probably not technically classical music, but it is still a damn good listen. Especially if you have ever experienced New York or watched Tom and Jerry
With 500 years of music to choose from, this is like that "guitar solo" thread; where do you stop??? However some proper, gentle, chilled stuff would be:-
Mahler Symphony No 5 (4th movement)
Beethoven Symphony No 6
Greig Piano Concerto (2nd Movement)
Chopin Piano Concerto No 1 (2nd Movement)
Vaughan-Williams "Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis"
Vaughan-William "The Lark Ascending"
Bruch Violin Concerto No 1 (2nd movement)
Dvorak Serenade for Strings (1st movement)
Mozart Piano Concerto No 21 (2nd movement)
And that's without dipping into the opera catalogue. I'd agree with a previous poster as well in as much as Nigel Kennedy, whilst technically very good, always seems to lack finesse and touch. I'd always prefer listening to recordings from by Midori or Gil Shahan.
Mahler Symphony No 5 (4th movement)
Beethoven Symphony No 6
Greig Piano Concerto (2nd Movement)
Chopin Piano Concerto No 1 (2nd Movement)
Vaughan-Williams "Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis"
Vaughan-William "The Lark Ascending"
Bruch Violin Concerto No 1 (2nd movement)
Dvorak Serenade for Strings (1st movement)
Mozart Piano Concerto No 21 (2nd movement)
And that's without dipping into the opera catalogue. I'd agree with a previous poster as well in as much as Nigel Kennedy, whilst technically very good, always seems to lack finesse and touch. I'd always prefer listening to recordings from by Midori or Gil Shahan.
smiller said:
Mahler Symphony No 5 (4th movement)
Make sure you don't listen to the last movement as well if you want calm. It is fantastic, but not exactly relaxed. 
Dvorak's symphonies are nice - I like the 8th.
I agree with Eric though, it you think you might like Opera try to get to see one performed properly it is so much better than a recording.
MentalSarcasm said:
Apocalyptica- rock music played on celloes.
Somewhat surprisingly someone beat me to it They're playing in London in a few months, anyone here going to see 'em?
Back to the original topic (and linked witht he above) there are quite a lot of 'neo classical' metal bands out their if you've come from a rock background. I meanwhile am trying to get my classically trained missus into rock using the same stuff - it's sort of a crossover. Most are cheesey and have the worst of both worlds, some are sublime and have the best of both.
In terms of conventional classical music, the two favourites of the top of my head are Scherezade and Rodrigo's Concerto D'Aranjuez. There's some awesome classical guitar music out there. I also really like Baroque stuff, Handel being the obvious example.....
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