Classical Music

**WongKonPow** · 08-29-2009, 08:08 AM

I really like classical music, mainly violin/strings and piano. I like the poignant kind that draws out emotion, but I have a problem. I mostly listen to rock and most of the rock I listen to is Hardcore or Metal and the world of Classical Music is so big and daunting. So I am wondering if any of you have any recommendations. I really like Ludovico Einaudi's Divenire album, if that helps as a guideline to what I like. I also like October Sky by Jose Herstrada.
Please help, this lowly rocker is lost in a sea of concertos.

Edit: Oh, and I like Hayley Westenra and The Priests, but I generally don't like singing with my classical because I feel that it takes away from the instruments sometimes.

**hickatheart** · 08-29-2009, 09:28 AM

Listen to a classical radio station (NPR or public radio) when you have the chance. When you hear something you like or someone suggests something you want to check out, you can go to youtube: someone likely has put all or part of an album online--the listening quality isn't there, but you can 'preview' without buying. Then buy through iTunes/Limewire to download to cd or iPod etc. If you really want the CD with the jewel case and jacket, amazon.com usually has more classical music than other vendors. (per my dad).

I am listening to the Ludovico piece you referenced, on youtube as I type. Nice! We have similar taste. Try Yanni: any of several albums (new age), Peter Manu:Skyline Firedance or David Lanz:Warm Sound in a Gray Field (both new age), Enya: any of many albums (celtic or new age), Joanna (used to sing with Enya, Christian music now).

I also prefer instrumental without voice, I tend to stay away from opera and broadway stuff. Enya is about as vocal as I like.

Soothes the savage beast.
H@H

**Otto** · 08-29-2009, 02:43 PM

Youtube has a lot of nice classical videos
YouTube - Anne-Sophie Mutter plays Beethoven Violin Concerto in D Major 6/6.

**WongKonPow** · 08-29-2009, 03:54 PM

Thanks Hickatheart, I will definitely check those out. The Divenire album is definitely worth your time.

Thanks Otto, but I find that I generally don't like the bigger names in classical. The power houses like Beethoven and Mozart sound really nice, but don't give me the emotional response to the music that I am looking for.

**hickatheart** · 08-29-2009, 09:14 PM

Have you checked out Mr. Einaudi's other albums? I am looking at the iTunes store and it seems there are about ten albums with his name on them.

Dear Wife (DW) and I downloaded and are listening to Divenire. That is a good sound. We both were reminded of Yanni. Might be getting more of those albums though. I'll check out the other artists you listed tomorrow.

As far as the bigger names or older composers: a nocturne by one man can be rendered differently by another. That's why I like public radio: I am sometimes surprised by the composer after hearing a piece that was more vibrant or less intense/emotional flavor than I woulda thought for that composer. Kinda like everybody doing their version of "Yesterday".

I am also learning the language by listening to radio; getting the terminology in my head is the first step.

A couple more artists: Rocas Zubovas: piano, classical. Carlos Nakai: solo album of Native American flute: very mellow, different atmosphere. Manheim Steamroller is a bit "brassy" or intense, but is more subtle than some classical renditions--new agey.

I am curious as to what you will end up liking!

All the best!
H@H

**BKratchmer** · 08-29-2009, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by WongKonPow

Thanks Hickatheart, I will definitely check those out. The Divenire album is definitely worth your time.

Thanks Otto, but I find that I generally don't like the bigger names in classical. The power houses like Beethoven and Mozart sound really nice, but don't give me the emotional response to the music that I am looking for.

Then you don't really like "classical". You like some modern instrumental music. I don't mean to be snobbish, just to point out the often-missed fact that all non-rock is not 'classical'...

**WongKonPow** · 08-29-2009, 10:54 PM

No, I do like Classical, I just haven't figured out what I like exactly.

For instance, I have heard some of Bach and really like it, but there are probably thousands of people who have done his stuff.

**matt321** · 08-30-2009, 01:45 AM

Try Pandora Radio - Listen to Free Internet Radio, Find New Music. It is user-customized radio. Type in a title or artist and it will play similar stuff at random.

Also, check out Vaughan Williams, Tallis Fantasia. Very emotional.
YouTube - Vaughan Williams - Tallis

**Obie** · 08-30-2009, 01:54 AM

Gentlemen,

The world of classical music is a glorious journey of sound and emotion. May I recommend the following for starters?

1. Baroque music:
Bach's the violin concertos, the Brandenburg concertos and the two books of The Well-tempered Clavier. Also try the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin and the the six unaccompanied cello suites — if you want to get moody.
Vivaldi's Four Seasons and other violin concertos. There's a saying about Vivaldi, though: that he wrote the same concerto 400 times. Ah, but his music is infectious.

2. Viennese Classical:
You can't go wrong with Mozart. The symphonies, piano concertos, violin concertos, piano sonatas — well, the guy wrote one hit after another.
Haydn also wrote some delightful symphonies. He is also known as the "father of the string quartet." Plenty of good stuff there.

3. The great Beethoven (1770-1827) is in a class all his own. The 9 symphonies, 5 piano concerto and 32 piano sonatas. Those intoxicating string quartets. Yes, the great Ludwig is in his own class, indeed.

4. Early Romantics:
Chopin: everything he wrote.
Mendelssohn: the four symphonies, Hebrides Overture, songs without words.
Robert Schumann — the height of Early Romantic music. His piano concerto is pure love. The four symphonies are delightful. Also Schumann's piano cycles "Carnaval" and "Papillons" are sheer delights.

5. Late Romantics:
Brahms. Oh, yes. His music is brushed in autumn colors. The four symphonies, two piano concertos, and the late chamber works. You will never get enough of Brahms.
Mahler falls somewhere in the general neighborhood. His symphonies are long, but packed with emotion.

6. Impressionists:
Debussy: everything he wrote.
Ravel: everything he wrote.

7. The Spaniards: Albeniz, Turina, Rodrigo, and a host of others. Great music.

Well, that's just for starters. You don't have to know anything about classical music to love it. Just listen to it, because the music will hit you and penetrate, whereas a lot of other music will hit you and bounce off.

Regards,

Obie

**paulwjax** · 08-30-2009, 03:58 AM

Obie, you have a classically trained ear. I'm impressed.

I like to listen to Chopin, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Vivaldi and of course (with a nod to Alex) Ludwig Van

. My father played classical when we ate supper every night and would continue to let it play while he read in his chair after dinner. It was just relaxing and something that helped the day wind down.
I'm partial to violin/piano concertos since my father played piano and cello and I played violin and viola.

Thread: Classical Music

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display

Classical Music

The Following User Says Thank You to hickatheart For This Useful Post:

The Following User Says Thank You to BKratchmer For This Useful Post:

Classical Music

The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Obie For This Useful Post:

Posting Permissions