Classical : starters

[boodi]

Hi all.
I've a mate here who's quite new into classical , he is asking about good masterpiece to start off with classical ( he only mentioned he listened to Mahler and was impressed by the Requiem of G.Verdi , and some Mozart he didn't remember what .. )..
what can i advice him to train him into classical ?

I can't help him too much because I'm more piano solo / late romantic period so.. quite a bunch of great all time writers , but maybe too much impartial and leaving some great stuff off ..

thanks for answering

 

[Julz]

A lot of new-comers to Classical music may find Mahler a little heavy going, and a little long to listen to in 1 sitting. Generally speaking, if anyone asks me my opinion, I usually point them towards light tuneful, (not saying Gustav isn't tuneful, but you know what I mean, it's not very often you'll find people whistling Mahler...) pieces that make them say "Oh, I know this !!". Stuff like Vivaldi 4 Seasons, Bach Air On A G-String.... there's some excellent compilation CD's that can prove useful in determining the kind of stuff your mate would enjoy. Then suggest they have a listen to Parsifal

 

[PSmith08]

I'd start with the 9th of Beethoven (any good recording will do). It's recognizable, and it has more to it than the theme everyone knows.

A fairly stock, non-controversial recording is Herbert von Karajan's 1963 release, now on SACD.

 

[mbhaub]

I believe that starting beginners with "masterpieces" is a sure-fire way to turn them off. No Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Bach, Vivaldi, Wagner, et al. Nope, they need more exciting, tuneful, colorful things:

Respighi: Pines of Rome/Fountains of Rome
Khachaturian: suites from Gayane, Spartacus, Masquerade
Holst: the Planets
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
Raff: Lenore Symphony
Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique
Shostakovich: suites from ballets, film, etc.
Rossini: overtures
Liszt: Les Preludes, Hungarian Rhapsody 2, etc
Kalinnikov: Symphony 1
Stravinsky: Firebird and Petrouchka
Hanson: Symphony 2

Then, when the ear becomes accustomed to orchestral sound, let the listener branch out and explore on his own. Too much of the Viennese masters at the start turns people off. Just an opinion.

 

[PSmith08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub I believe that starting beginners with "masterpieces" is a sure-fire way to turn them off. No Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Bach, Vivaldi, Wagner, et al. Nope, they need more exciting, tuneful, colorful things: [...] Then, when the ear becomes accustomed to orchestral sound, let the listener branch out and explore on his own. Too much of the Viennese masters at the start turns people off. Just an opinion.

No one is suggesting giving him a copy of Der Ring des Nibelungen and say "Have at." In my opinion, a new listener will appreciate the tunes in the classical they have. Then, as they learn more, they'll appreciate more. Perhaps something like Bizet's Carmen would be appropriate. It has plenty of famous tunes, isn't terribly long, and has become such a part of the repertoire, it's hard to find an awful performance. I think one should get a real introduction, but not a horribly challenging introduction. However, if one is forced to appreciate complex music, then they'll have an easier time with other, less complex, works.

 

[Bunnyears]

There is a new German baroque album which is great fun: Ouverturen / Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin. This is a compilation of overtures written for the Hamburg Opera and it is just a total winner. It also captures all of the drama of the baroque sensibility. I highly recommend this.

If your friend has already listened to Mahler, then Mahler shouldn't be ignored. Try Mahler's 4th, probably the new Living Stereo SACD/Hybrid release of Reiner's recording would be a good way to go. The 4th is considered the most accessible of Mahler's symphonies by many.

For a budget Bach selection, try Isaac Stern expanded edition of the Bach violin concertos. There are actually 2 expanded editions available right now, one also includes the concerto for oboe and violin and a violin partita and the other (slightly earlier compilation) has the Trio Sonata for Flute, Violin and Harpsichord in G major, BWV 1038 included with it. Either recording is excellent. I'd also like to recommend Jordi Savall's recording of the Brandenburg Concertos or the Tafelmusik recording of the Orchestral suites (great for air on a g string).

For Beethoven, I tend to recommend Carlos Kleiber's recording of the 5th and 7th symphonies as a good entry. Everyone is familiar with the 5th, and when they hear the 7th they also like that as well.

Another great entry is Beethoven's Piano concerto no. 5 (the Emperor). For this, look for Sony Classics cd of Beethoven/Piano Concerto no 5; Triple Concerto. This cd has the masterful performance by Leon Fleisher on piano and George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra. It's probably one of the greatest recordings of the work and the sound quality is very, very good as well. The included triple concerto features Isaac Stern on violin and Leonard Rose on Cello and Eugene Istomin on piano, with Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra. The whole thing, at $7.99 at Tower represents one of the great music bargains of all time.

And, Chopin is always good too; I suspect that you have your own favorite recordings of him.

Another great entry point is Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. There is a new recording from Andrew Manze and the Academy of Ancient Music available in either stereo only or SACD/hybrid. For budget, Sir Colin Davies earlier recording of the EKN is probably still available. That also has some of Mozart's other divertimenti and is another great entry point. For a budget selection, Sir Neville Marriner's recording of the Mozart Overtures on EMI Classics is just a wonderful, joyous take on these works.

 

[Doc Sarvis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnyears There is a new German baroque album which is great fun: Ouverturen / Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin. This is a compilation of overtures written for the Hamburg Opera and it is just a total winner. It also captures all of the drama of the baroque sensibility. I highly recommend this. If your friend has already listened to Mahler, then Mahler shouldn't be ignored. Try Mahler's 4th, probably the new Living Stereo SACD/Hybrid release of Reiner's recording would be a good way to go. The 4th is considered the most accessible of Mahler's symphonies by many. For a budget Bach selection, try Isaac Stern expanded edition of the Bach violin concertos. There are actually 2 expanded editions available right now, one also includes the concerto for oboe and violin and a violin partita and the other (slightly earlier compilation) has the Trio Sonata for Flute, Violin and Harpsichord in G major, BWV 1038 included with it. Either recording is excellent. I'd also like to recommend Jordi Savall's recording of the Brandenburg Concertos or the Tafelmusik recording of the Orchestral suites (great for air on a g string). For Beethoven, I tend to recommend Carlos Kleiber's recording of the 5th and 7th symphonies as a good entry. Everyone is familiar with the 5th, and when they hear the 7th they also like that as well. Another great entry is Beethoven's Piano concerto no. 5 (the Emperor). For this, look for Sony Classics cd of Beethoven/Piano Concerto no 5; Triple Concerto. This cd has the masterful performance by Leon Fleisher on piano and George Szell conducting the Cleveland Orchestra. It's probably one of the greatest recordings of the work and the sound quality is very, very good as well. The included triple concerto features Isaac Stern on violin and Leonard Rose on Cello and Eugene Istomin on piano, with Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra. The whole thing, at $7.99 at Tower represents one of the great music bargains of all time. And, Chopin is always good too; I suspect that you have your own favorite recordings of him. Another great entry point is Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. There is a new recording from Andrew Manze and the Academy of Ancient Music available in either stereo only or SACD/hybrid. For budget, Sir Colin Davies earlier recording of the EKN is probably still available. That also has some of Mozart's other divertimenti and is another great entry point. For a budget selection, Sir Neville Marriner's recording of the Mozart Overtures on EMI Classics is just a wonderful, joyous take on these works.

Great recommendations all around. Nice post Bunny!

 

[Doc Sarvis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub I believe that starting beginners with "masterpieces" is a sure-fire way to turn them off. No Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Bach, Vivaldi, Wagner, et al. Nope, they need more exciting, tuneful, colorful things: Respighi: Pines of Rome/Fountains of Rome Khachaturian: suites from Gayane, Spartacus, Masquerade Holst: the Planets Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade Raff: Lenore Symphony Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique Shostakovich: suites from ballets, film, etc. Rossini: overtures Liszt: Les Preludes, Hungarian Rhapsody 2, etc Kalinnikov: Symphony 1 Stravinsky: Firebird and Petrouchka Hanson: Symphony 2 Then, when the ear becomes accustomed to orchestral sound, let the listener branch out and explore on his own. Too much of the Viennese masters at the start turns people off. Just an opinion.

I'm in more of the "familiar-tunes" camp for beginners, but these are all great pieces! Back in the 50s, Scheherazade was considered the perfect "gateway drug" into classical by many.

 

[zhentil]

Some pieces that got me into classical.

1. New World Symphony - Dvorak
2. Die Moldau - Smetana
3. Unfinished Symphony - Schubert
4. Violin Concerto in E - Mendelssohn
5. 5th Symphony - Beethoven

 

[Bunnyears]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Sarvis I'm in more of the "familiar-tunes" camp for beginners, but these are all great pieces! Back in the 50s, Scheherazade was considered the perfect "gateway drug" into classical by many.

Other great gateway drugs into Classical:

Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings
Barber: Adagio for Strings
Mahler: Adagietto from the Symphony No. 5 (yes, it always gets put in here)
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata
Chopin: Polonaise in A flat Major (Heroic)

Dreaded gateway drugs into classical mediocrity:
Pachelbel: Canon
Albinoni: Adagio (this is actually a great piece of music that has been done badly by almost everyone, especially HvK)
Vivaldi: Excerpts from the 4 Seasons on every elevator music list in creation
Mussourgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (another example of great music done to death)

 

[boodi]

all very nice help...really , thanks .
I'll grab some pieces myself too from this list
and i agree on that maybe he will like also ( maybe more ) something enterteining on something more serious ...

Bunnyears
yes, I've been drawn into Chopin ( piano + romantic = Chopin ) from youngness
my favorite performer , as yet said in another thread , is Idil Biret

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boodi Hi all. I've a mate here who's quite new into classical , he is asking about good masterpiece to start off with classical ( he only mentioned he listened to Mahler and was impressed by the Requiem of G.Verdi , and some Mozart he didn't remember what .. ).. what can i advice him to train him into classical ?

Scherazade by Rimsky Korsakov

Tchaikovsky's overtures - Romeo and Juliet, Marche Slav, 1812 overture

Philip Glass: Mishima (great simple work, non-minimilistic Glass)

 

[SiBurning]

The same question, more or less, was asked here:
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=126846

Here are the main points I made there. Different people take to different things. I'd start someone with a mix, and include mostly smaller ensembles.

 

[Salt Peanuts]

My gateways into Classical were Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor and Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D major. I absolutely love these two works.

I heard the Tchaikovsky piece, incidentally, while watching a Monty Python episode where they were using the piece for a background music.

 

[10068]

What got me back into larger orchestral music recently was the last few movements of Mendelssohn's 4th. Tasty.