Classical Music - Recommendations
22 July 2003, 03:06 PM
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I must be getting old - I seem to be enjoying the odd bit of classical music but fortunately not to the exclusion of enjoying Linkin Park, Stereophonics and other current stuff. I don't much in the way of classical, and was wondering on a list of beginner's classics. I'm probably just over the "Popular Classics" type compilation, and was going to buy a few CDs. I've made a list of the following, trying to get a bit of a mix any other suggestions, especially some Mozart?
Carmen Bizet
Symphony 9 (New World) Dvorak
1812 Overture Tchaikovsky
Requiem Faure
Symphony 6 Beethoven
Lakme Delibes
Carmina Burana Orff
La Boheme Puccini
Carmen Bizet
Symphony 9 (New World) Dvorak
1812 Overture Tchaikovsky
Requiem Faure
Symphony 6 Beethoven
Lakme Delibes
Carmina Burana Orff
La Boheme Puccini
22 July 2003, 03:18 PM
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Think he means ..... Rodrigo ~ Concierto De Aranjuez
Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre
Guitar Concerto No 1 Op. 99 ... and as he says ... abso bloomin' lutely fantastico.
Listen to Classic FM too , at least then you get to hear the titles and a bit about the music and its composers. And there's nothing wrong in likin' the old stuff... AND also likin' the newer stuff... I love allsorts of music, the only stuff I haven't got time or space for is.... opera and modern jazz. Good on ya !
[Edited by Red Scooby widdow - 7/22/2003 3:19:31 PM]
Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre
Guitar Concerto No 1 Op. 99 ... and as he says ... abso bloomin' lutely fantastico.
Listen to Classic FM too , at least then you get to hear the titles and a bit about the music and its composers. And there's nothing wrong in likin' the old stuff... AND also likin' the newer stuff... I love allsorts of music, the only stuff I haven't got time or space for is.... opera and modern jazz. Good on ya !
[Edited by Red Scooby widdow - 7/22/2003 3:19:31 PM]
22 July 2003, 03:28 PM
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Toccata and Fugue in Dminor bach?
amazing
Air on the G string Bach?
refreshing
Ride of the Valkyrie Dvorak?
inspiring
Night on the Bare mountain mussorgsky?
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amazing
Air on the G string Bach?
refreshing
Ride of the Valkyrie Dvorak?
inspiring
Night on the Bare mountain mussorgsky?
Advertising
peanuts-ageing
22 July 2003, 03:29 PM
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rsw
Yep, jazz has always made me want to run and hide. What is it they say - sounds like 20 blokes in a room all playing different tunes at the same time.
And opera? If I see another biffer warbling away about their little lamb which has been seduced by Zeus (or similar) I'll scream. Choral works are fine (can't beat The Messiah) but opera? I'd rather hang from my thumbs.
Yep, jazz has always made me want to run and hide. What is it they say - sounds like 20 blokes in a room all playing different tunes at the same time.
And opera? If I see another biffer warbling away about their little lamb which has been seduced by Zeus (or similar) I'll scream. Choral works are fine (can't beat The Messiah) but opera? I'd rather hang from my thumbs.
22 July 2003, 04:45 PM
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The problem with asking for Classical Music recommendations is like asking for recommendations for "pop music" or "TV shows". There are lots of different types out there, from soothing (or depressing, depending on how you look at it) adagios, to thrilling overtures. From ear-splitting operas to light chamber music. From formal waltzes to movie music.
Usually you can't go wrong with a few compilations, as they generally cover the "well known" bits without the bits you probably wouldn't recognise or enjoy. As you come to listen to these more, you may find yourself buying different types of stuff.
Don't restrict yourself to the well known composers, and don't be afraid to buy movie soundtracks - the soundtrack for "Gladiator" by Hans Zimmer contains a variety of tunes, none of which disappoint.
Once you've got a feel for different composers, you can get some good examples of their stuff by buying what are effectively "best of" discs, done by HMV and Naxos. When you really know what you're looking for, then you can start buying more specialised stuff.
Try listening to Classic FM (if you can bear the occasionally snobbish attitude) and pick out tunes you like. It's hard to remember what a lot of the tunes are called, so you can search on their website too.
Usually you can't go wrong with a few compilations, as they generally cover the "well known" bits without the bits you probably wouldn't recognise or enjoy. As you come to listen to these more, you may find yourself buying different types of stuff.
Don't restrict yourself to the well known composers, and don't be afraid to buy movie soundtracks - the soundtrack for "Gladiator" by Hans Zimmer contains a variety of tunes, none of which disappoint.
Once you've got a feel for different composers, you can get some good examples of their stuff by buying what are effectively "best of" discs, done by HMV and Naxos. When you really know what you're looking for, then you can start buying more specialised stuff.
Try listening to Classic FM (if you can bear the occasionally snobbish attitude) and pick out tunes you like. It's hard to remember what a lot of the tunes are called, so you can search on their website too.
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22 July 2003, 05:05 PM
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I really like classical. Very calming listening to Classic FM when driving home.
My fav composer is Ralph Vaughan Williams.
His best work for me is "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis". For me it evokes a classically english feeling...
My fav composer is Ralph Vaughan Williams.
His best work for me is "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis". For me it evokes a classically english feeling...
22 July 2003, 08:56 PM
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289 Its MODERN jazz I hate with a passion. I rather like the toe tapping trad jazz... its happy and harmless. Opera, lets specify that one too. I HATE the heavy stuff but don't mind stuff like Gilbert & Sullivan , the lightweight stuff.
Wagner is pretty stirring stuff Mungo.... have a try at some of his stuff sometime !
Wagner is pretty stirring stuff Mungo.... have a try at some of his stuff sometime !
23 July 2003, 09:05 AM
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Fantastic! Thought I'd read this thread and reply, only to find the first two replies recommend Rodrigo ~ Concierto De Aranjuez - my fave! 
Somebody mentioned the Brass Band version from Brassed Off, and it's true - it is great! The other version well worth listening to is on Miles Davis's Sketches From Spain.
Talking of Miles, even if you don't (think) you like Jazz, try his "Kinda Blue". It is without doubt, utterly fantastic! And this comes from someone who Jazz knowledge extends all the way from oohhh... Dave Brubeck's Take Five to having watch the Beiderbeck(e?) Affair/Tapes many, many years ago! 
As for other good classical works, I'm much more a compilations kinda guy, though I do have Mozart's Requiem among a couple of CDs.
Iain - only 30!
Somebody mentioned the Brass Band version from Brassed Off, and it's true - it is great! The other version well worth listening to is on Miles Davis's Sketches From Spain.Talking of Miles, even if you don't (think) you like Jazz, try his "Kinda Blue". It is without doubt, utterly fantastic!
And this comes from someone who Jazz knowledge extends all the way from oohhh... Dave Brubeck's Take Five to having watch the Beiderbeck(e?) Affair/Tapes many, many years ago! As for other good classical works, I'm much more a compilations kinda guy, though I do have Mozart's Requiem among a couple of CDs.
Iain - only 30!
23 July 2003, 06:17 PM
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Tchaikovsky's ballet suites. Grieg is nice, and I also have Mussorgksy's Pictures at an Exhibition, orchestrated by Ravel.
Widen your mind when getting away from drum beats;
Gerschwin
Ella Fitzgerald hits
Soundtracks to Fistful of Dollars, Few Dollars More, Good Bad and the Ugly - I bought the three then edited together the good bits. It made a hell of a driving tape
Widen your mind when getting away from drum beats;
Gerschwin
Ella Fitzgerald hits
Soundtracks to Fistful of Dollars, Few Dollars More, Good Bad and the Ugly - I bought the three then edited together the good bits. It made a hell of a driving tape
23 July 2003, 08:22 PM
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Agree with everything that has gone before.
Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and Nutcracker have loads of good tunes. Pictures at an Exhibition is great to listen to with the volume up. I have a CD with both the (Ravel orchestrated) orchestral version performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Ashkenazy, and the original piano version played by Ashkenazy. An interesting contrast.
"Espana" by Chabrier is another recommendation.
Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" has some tunes that you will probably recognise.
Bach is a good choice for baroque. "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" being a couple of good ones to start with.
For piano music, try anything by Debussy or Satie.
Also have a listen to "La Mer" by Debussy. I had previously thought that anyone who said that music (as opposed to a song) could describe something was talking b@llox; "La Mer" describes everything from the power of the sea in a storm to the peace of a flat calm.
Enjoy!
Doug
Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and Nutcracker have loads of good tunes. Pictures at an Exhibition is great to listen to with the volume up. I have a CD with both the (Ravel orchestrated) orchestral version performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Ashkenazy, and the original piano version played by Ashkenazy. An interesting contrast.
"Espana" by Chabrier is another recommendation.
Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" has some tunes that you will probably recognise.
Bach is a good choice for baroque. "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" being a couple of good ones to start with.
For piano music, try anything by Debussy or Satie.
Also have a listen to "La Mer" by Debussy. I had previously thought that anyone who said that music (as opposed to a song) could describe something was talking b@llox; "La Mer" describes everything from the power of the sea in a storm to the peace of a flat calm.
Enjoy!
Doug
23 July 2003, 08:25 PM
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Holst - The Planets Suite
Still one of the greatest pieces of music I have had the pleasure to listen to. 'Mars the Bringer of War' does make me drive like a mad thing when it gets going.
Still one of the greatest pieces of music I have had the pleasure to listen to. 'Mars the Bringer of War' does make me drive like a mad thing when it gets going.
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