Classical Music - An Introduction for Explorers

Discussion in 'Music and Recordings' started by Muse Wanderer, Apr 3, 2016.

  1. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Don't panic!

    I'm betting (and hoping, of course) that he'll be back soon.
     
  2. TwoEars

    TwoEars Friend

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    Another one who deserves a mention: George Frideric Handel

    "Handel's compositions include 42 operas, 29 oratorios, more than 120 cantatas, trios and duets, numerous arias, chamber music, a large number of ecumenical pieces, odes and serenatas, and 16 organ concerti. His most famous work, the oratorio Messiah with its "Hallelujah" chorus, is among the most popular works in choral music and has become the centrepiece of the Christmas seaso"

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Frideric_Handel





    The nice thing with Haendel is that most of his music is pretty inoffensive and easy listening. I love Mahler but there's only so much I can take... haha.
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2016
  3. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

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    Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
    Classical music shouldn't be confined to centuries past and there is plenty of exciting music written in the 20th and 21st century.
    Igor Stravinsky is one of the most important and influential composers of the last 100 years.

    Stravinsky's impact on modern music is signified by The Rite of Spring. It's reception was met with a near-riot from the Parisian audience 103 years ago...

    The whole ballet is presented here after a brief intro

    Igor's violin concerto is one of my all time favourites concertos. The violin dances during the outer movements but the inner two arias leave me speechless as the violin sings out its soul.
    Here is a rendition by the fantastic young violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja...


    The Firebird ballet has one of the most beautiful melodic endings of any ballet.

    The whole ballet suite is electrifying

    The Duo Concertante is a lovely piece for violin and piano

    Pulcinella is close to my heart and it will melt the heart of every listener it encounters. It signifies the start of Stravinsky's neoclassical period with influences from the Baroque and Classical periods, infused with Stravinsky's unique modern art. Simply brilliant!
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2016
  4. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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    This is a good collaborative thread and worthy of bumping. As MoatsArt is history here, can someone please volunteer to takeover management of the thread? Admin or Mod should be able to allocate the first post to another user so that it can be updated/composers added etc.

    Some of the embedded YouTube videos no longer exist and the relevant posts need to be fixed.

    Shame to see it moldering in the storeroom.
     
  5. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

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    This thread was too short lived, I agree and there may be enough of us to get things moving again. I wouldn't mind taking over where Moatzart left off (@ultrabike ). It would certainly be a helpful resource to the user base.
     
  6. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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    @zerodeefex

    Could you please give me ownership of this thread by putting the first post in my name? I have some ideas and would like to carry out maintenance.
     
  7. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Done. Make the thread awesome.
     
  8. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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    Thanks Ravi! Will start work in the next few days.
     
  9. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Be our Virgil when we are Dante. This adventure deserves to be continued.

    To celebrate your return we need some Beethoven, some epic Beethoven...

     
  10. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    This could be a nice thread indeed. Don’t forget one of the greatest, Richard Wagner





     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2018
  11. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    I cannot believe that you missed Brahms from this list. Why? 50% of my listening is Brahms
     
  12. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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    LOL! Yes. Brahms wrote some cool stuff.

    If I were to list every composer that everyone ever liked we'd probably run beyond the per-post-character-limit.
     
  13. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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    Program Music

    This genre is an awesome entry point into classical music. Basically it refers to purely instrumental music that's based on a non-musical (more correctly, extra-musical) scenario. There are examples that date back hundreds of years and they're still being written today. Its high point, though, was arguably the nineteenth century when every Thomas, Richard and Harold (and their dogs) were writing the stuff.

    Here are four examples from four different periods, Baroque, Classical (in its more restricted sense), Romantic and Early 20th Century, but in reverse chronological order.

    Holst: The Planets

    Self explanatory really. The first movement depicts Mars, the bringer of war. Stirring stuff that starts quietly and builds up into a frenzy of blood-lust. Much like a maniacal march for someone with five legs.



    Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade


    This is based on the Arabic classic "One Thousand and One Nights" in which the new bride of a sociopath/king tries to delay her execution by telling him a series of stories. The selection below tells the tale of "The Sea and Sinbad's Ship".



    Beethoven: Symphony No 6 "Pastoral"

    Beethoven was a nature lover. You know: Long walks admiring beautiful views. His Sixth Symphony is a depiction of just such a scenario and each of the five movements is given a title related to same. I've embedded the whole thing below, but if you don't have time to listen to it all just give the first five minutes a go.



    Biber: Batallia a 10

    Yep. A suite about war. Section names include "gathering of the troops", "the lament of the wounded" and, my favourite, "the profligate society of common humour" (starts at 1:45 and depicts drunk blokes singing their national tunes).




    Please feel free to add your own favourites and discoveries.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2018
  14. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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  15. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

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    Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

    Johannes Brahms, a truly innovative and conservative composer, breaking boundaries but respecting traditional ideas, steadfastly romantic but rooted in the techniques of the classical masters especially his idol Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven was a towering highly respected figure for Brahms. In order to match Beethoven's symphonic work, Brahms took 21 years to finish his 1st symphony! His final 4th symphony has many allusions to his major influences including Beethoven and of course with that passacaglia finale - Johann Sebastian Bach.



    Brahms wrote 2 grand piano concertos that are as resolute in scope as his symphonies. Here's a peek of the 1st...



    After savouring Brahms' orchestral works, I started to roam his chamber works and it really clicked that dear ol' Johannes really shines in small ensembles. His string sextet number 1 is a favourite of mine. Even Vulcans cried on hearing its stunning slow movement (link - Star Trek fans behold!).



    Other chamber works I adore include Brahms' cello and violin sonatas. The first violin sonata is sublime.



    The clarinet quintet, written in his late years, shows Brahms' mastery mirroring Mozart's wonderful clarinet quintet in scope and delivery.

    encore!
    Finishing off with Brahms' magnificent violin concerto, that has all the guts of Beethoven mixed with the tenderness and appeal of Johannes.


     
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2018
  16. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Excellent post, as always in this thread. Thanks.
     
  17. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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  18. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    @L'Orfeo is pretty good at navigating fora, figuring out how to post something ~2 years before signing up :))
     
  19. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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    OK. Clean up of old posts is now complete. I'm in Australia and, due to region restrictions, people in other places might not be able to view all the clips. Please let me know if this is the case so that I can make further changes.
     
  20. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Another great piece from one of the best

     

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