Classical Music - An Introduction for Explorers

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

  1. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

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    Classical music isn't just for people who look like this:

    [​IMG]

    Most of the people I know who enjoy this sort of stuff are the same people that you'd see in the crowd at a baseball game.

    This thread is just one of many ways to expose yourself to something a bit different. If you find yourself digging some of the tunes here, you've opened the door to another few hundred years of musical experience. We hope you enjoy it.

    Composers

    Here's a list of some prominent Classical composers. Clicking on their names will take you to a post in this thread that presents a few of their songs.

    Bach
    Beethoven
    Brahms
    Chopin
    Copland
    Grieg
    Mahler
    Mendelssohn
    Mozart
    Schubert
    Sibelius
    Stravinsky
    Tchaikovsky
    Vivaldi
    Ligeti
    Wagner

    In most cases, if you click on the post heading you will be taken to the Wikipedia entry on that particular composer.

    Genres & Styles

    Program music

    Over to you, now. Please feel free to post with your questions, comments and examples of classical music that you enjoy.

    Editor's Note: This thread was MoatsArt's initiative and contains valuable content from many members. I'm just here to maintain the index of work that others are doing.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2019
  2. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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  3. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Mahler... Start here:



    (Mahler, Symphony Number 1: new link. The link I originally posted is no longer available (12 June '18))

    Mahler is supposed to be heavy, right? If that is what people always thought, then... just listen. Listen to the melodies, listen to the magic of the orchestration. It's beautiful. It also has some amazing, but gentle, bass to exercise the phones.

    But if you want starwars-bass, yes, Mahler was there first. Listen to the second symphony. It's much longer, but every second is worth it, and the closing passages rival today's film music.



    Hey, if you are very very wealthy, and you love this piece of music very, very much, you can pay a huge symphony orchestra to let you conduct it. You can even go from there to being one of the worlds experts on the piece.
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2018
  4. trung225

    trung225 Facebook Friend

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    Beethoven :

    "From Darkness (despair, sad,..) to Light (victory, triumph)" is the popular theme in classical music, and the 5th symphony is one prime example. Especially, the first movement , which represents the Fate, has been become one of the most famous pieces
    Recommend: Carlos Kleiber, Wiener Philharmonic, Deutsche Grammophon (the classic performance)
    Fritz Reiner, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, RCA


    The "King Speech" movement it is, sadly calmness with hint of heroic character in the climax.
    Recommend: Carlos Kleiber, Wiener Philharmonic, (the classic performance)
    Herbert von Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic, Deutsche Grammophon (best 2nd "King Speech" movement)
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2016
  5. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

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    Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)

    Johann Sebastian Bach, a composer who I absolutely adore, is truly, in my humble opinion, the greatest composer to have ever lived.

    We can start with his Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor BWV 1043, a truly remarkable piece. Listen how the two main vioilns interact. The middle slow movement is magnificent.




    Bach's 200 extant cantatas are among the most significant and celebrated works in the Western canon. Here is a short choral that is breath-taking in its inventiveness and melody.




    Bach wrote several monumental works including his Mass in B Minor and St Matthew's Passion. An excerpt from his St Matthew's Passion, the aria '“Erbarme dich, Mein Gott, um meiner Zähren willen!' (Have mercy Lord, My God, because of my weeping!", embodies the sorrow, shame and regret of Peter when he realises he disowned Jesus three times.




    Johann Sebastian Bach wrote several solo works for Violin (Sonatas and Partitas) and Cello (the famous Cello Suites). A most significant works, unparalelled in the solo violin repertoire is Bach's Chaconne from the Partita in D Minor for solo violin, BWV 1004. It is said Bach composed it as remembrance to his late wife.
    Here is Grumiaux's sublime rendition.... just listen with your eyes closed, let it penetrate you with its changing harmony and, if need be, relisten to it multiple times.
    Chaconne from Partita in D Minor for solo violin


    As last recommendation I was thinking about putting a link to his harpsichord concerto BWV1052, one of his Brandenburg concertos or Orchestral Suites, a Prelude and Fugue from the Well Tempered Clavier or a piece from his Goldberg variations. These are mesmerising compositions that would certainly fill the lives of a newcomer to classical music.

    However I would like to finish off with a short choral from Bach's Magnificat that has so much energy, with voices intermingled into such perfect way, it is simply irresistable...
    Here's Johann Sebastian Bach "Fecit Potentiam" (He Shows Strength) from his Magnificat, BWV 243, conducted by Harnoncourt....
    Magnificat - Fecit Potentiam
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2018
  6. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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  7. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

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    Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893)

    Do you need wonderful melody, beauty and romantic music that is deeply personal and poetic? Tchaikovsky is the composer that embodies all these qualities.

    Tchaikovsky ultimate masterpiece was completed few months before his death. The 6th symphony in B minor, known as Pathétique symphony, is his ultimate achievement, the fusion of his melodic gift with the architecture (form) of the symphony. The sublime adagio finale was unconventional for the period, a fitting conclusion for a timeless work.



    Tchaikovsky is also well known for his brilliant ballet works. A favourite of my 4 year old daughter, the Nutcracker, is filled with joyful melodies and waltzes, that are absolutely gorgeous.



    Tchaikovsky's vioiln concerto is the quintessential romantic violin concerto. He composed it during one of the most troubled periods of his life. The work is bursting with exciting russian tunes and virtuoso violin parts making it one of the most famous violin concertos...
    Violin concerto in D major Op 35 - Janine Jansen violinist, Paavo Jarvi conductor

    Another world famous ballet is Sleeping Beauty, the Garland waltz exemplifies Tchaikovsky's creative genius...
    Sleeping Beauty - Garland Waltz


    Finishing off with a work whose introductory part may be the best introduction to a piano concerto ever written...
    Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 - Martha Argerich as pianist
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2018
  8. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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  9. Muse Wanderer

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    Frédéric Chopin (1810 - 1849)

    If you like the piano and emotional poetic music, then Chopin fits the bill.

    Chopin nocturnes are a good start for newcomers to his music. Here is one of the most memorable ones...



    Chopin wrote 2 piano concertos, here's an amazing rendition of the first piano concerto by pianist Martha Argerich....



    Do you like the Darth Vader Imperial March theme? Chopin wrote it, and John Williams borrowed it for the movie...
    Piano sonata no.2 op 35, in B-flat minor (full sonata)

    Chopin wrote some very difficult energetic piano pieces.. here's the famous heroic polonaise...
    Chopin - Heroic Polonaise Op. 53

    We started with a very serene nocturne, and here we finish our short Chopin journey with his 'Tristesse' etude...

    Chopin Étude No. 3 in E Major, Op.10 'Tristesse'

     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2018
  10. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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  11. Muse Wanderer

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    Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)

    Schubert lived for 31years but his works are ranked as one of the greatest compositions we are fortunate to have. After Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, he is ranked as 4th greatest composer in my books. His untimely death at such a young age is a real tragedy to humanity. However his music will always resonate in the hearts of those who are ready to listen.

    Schubert lived in a transition period, between classical and romantic. The 8th symphony has features of classical (structure and sonata form) and romantisicm (deeply lyrical and personal).


    Schubert's gift of melody and form gave us unique compositions like his Piano Trio no 2. The second movement is mesmerising...



    Schubert's piano works embody his creative genius. His final three piano sonatas are a treasure to behold. Here I would like to give you a taste of his abilities with a sample of his Impromptus...
    Schubert - Four Impromptus, D 899

    Schubert is famous for his lieder. These are songs for single vocalist and accompying instruments. His most notable lieder work is Winterreise, a 24 song cycle about the Winter journey of a hero and his tragic story. It is essential to read the lyrics during this remarkable piece as otherwise the meaning is not understood.
    Schubert - Winterreise D911
    The lyrics can be found here...Winterreise lyrics (German / English)

    Franz Schubert died of syphilis at the age of 31. Before his death he composed the string quintet in C major D956. The second slow movement has been likened to looking at death's face as life slips away whilst the gates of heaven open up for you. The string quintet is a tremendous musical gift given to us as he battled to stay alive before his death.

     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2018
  12. L'Orfeo

    L'Orfeo MoatsArt the Second

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  13. Muse Wanderer

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    Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957)

    Sibelius is one of my all time favourite composers. He lived in FInland and is a renowned early modern composer with a unique style based on a fusion of thematic development, modern rhythmic and architectural form and enchanting melodies exemplified by his majestic seven symphonies.

    Sibelius describes his second symphony "as if the Almighty had thrown down the pieces of a mosaic for heaven’s floor and asked me to put them together"...



    Sibelius 3rd symphony is a departure from the popular trend of his first two. His deeply personal and shattering 4th is an absolute masterpiece. However the 4th will take weeks of your life to fully digest, so here I will present his magnificent 5th symphony. Sibelius took 7 years to compose such a perfect work. The finale in particular is breathtaking...


    Apart from his excellent symphonies, Sibelius wrote a brilliant violin concerto earlier on in his career. In his younger days his aim was to be a virtuoso violinist. His talents as composer outshone his violin technique. This musical work shows all the love he had for the violin...

    Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, op 47

    Sibelius' last composition was a tone poem called 'Tapiola'. At this point Sibelius' mastery of structure built on simple motifs and themes was astounding. At the end of this linked piece, at the 14.20 time, Sibelius presents a sound never conceived by a human, a sound with such intense energy that condenses all Sibelius stood for - the ultimate merging of sound into one whole...

    Sibelius - Tapiola, Op 112

    Sibelius wrote so many wonderful musical pieces, I am still in awe at his creative genius. I will finish this post with a short piece of music called Valse Triste (Sad Waltz), a beautiful piece that is sorrowful but hopeful at the same time.
    Jean Sibelius - Valse Triste, op. 44 no. 1

     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2018
  14. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    Thanks for making this thread @MoatsArt! I just got into classical and I've grown vey partial to baroque---love the sound of the harpsichord. Any works/albums/composers you or anyone would recommend?
     
  15. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Lots of stuff there I had forgotten or even never heard.
     
  16. Bitter

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    This is a nice thread, I really appreciate what you've initiated MoatsArt.
     
  17. Muse Wanderer

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    Johann Sebastian Bach would be the ideal composer to start exploring the Baroque era. He distilled all that came before him into perfection. His compositions are a hybrid mix of Germanic counterpoint and Italian melody.

    Besides almighty Bach (yes dear old Sebastian is God!) there are many other great Baroque composers one can explore including Handel (marvellous operas and oratorios), Rameau, Buxtehude, Monteverdi, Corelli, Domenico Scarlatti, Francois Couperin and Zelenka.

    I listened to Bach's keyboard works through piano first. Glenn Gould, Sviatoslav Richter, Schiff, Koroliov, Tureck - different takes and so much beauty.

    I love the harpsichord too but finding a player that resonated with the great piano players was harder. Then I found Kenneth Gilbert, he is amazing. His Well Tempered Clavier is pure bliss. Here's a taste...


    The harpsichord also takes centre stage in Bach's 5th Brandenburg concerto. This concerto is the first in history to have a dedicated solo part for the keyboard intrument and it is truly magnificent. Here is Karl Richter on the harpsichord...
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2016
  18. Afghan Vet

    Afghan Vet New

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    Thank you so much for this thread. I wanted to post for Vivaldi, but didn't feel like I could do it the same as you have. I, like many here, am a fan of Baroque type music....Handel, Vivaldi, Bach, Albinoni, Zani, etc. I love it, and when I typically think of listening to a great set of headphones on a good DAC/Amp.....it is classical that I think of.

    I recently purchased this album after seeing the James Bond movie: Spectre......http://www.amazon.com/Vivaldi-since...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01



    Absolutely mesmerizing..... I'd like to get more of these solo cantata types of pieces. I also recently picked up this album that I have enjoyed immensely http://www.amazon.com/Mass-B-Minor-...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

    Choral, Cantata - I need to discover more beautiful pieces like this.
     
  19. Reiymi

    Reiymi New

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    What happened to MoatsArt?

    Anyways really great thread here. Just wanted to add one of my favorite pieces, from a composer I hadn't seen mentioned here: La Valse by Maurice Ravel.
    I first heard this at one of those BBC summer concerts and was absolutely stunned. An extremely interesting piece, in my opinion.

     
  20. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Aw f**k.
     

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