Need recommendation for Classical music newbie

[Uncledan]

Hi all, I start to "learn" to listen classical music, some of the classical music are very exciting, such as Mozart 4th Symphony. However, most of them are kind of boring for me, maybe I don't know how to enjoy it (maybe I am still too young

). So would you recommend some "easy listen" classical music for me? any popular classical music I MUST listen?

Thanks all.

 

[phonatic]

There is so much classical music... and not all of it good, or enjoyable by everyone. It can take some time to find out what you can enjoy, although the more of it you hear, the more of it you may like. I doubt you are too young... I started listening to Bach, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky at about age 5, started piano lessons about age 7, and loved it. I'm in my 30s now and I still do.

If you liked some Mozart, you'll want to try Haydn and Beethoven as well. From Beethoven, try any symphonies from the 3rd forward. I find most of Beethoven's music fun to listen to, though you may not. If you like piano, pick up some of his "named" piano sonatas to try. Alfred Brendel's double disc re-issues on Philips would be fine. Other Mozart to look for would be some of his later symphonies (25, 27, 38, 40), maybe his Requiem if you like vocal music. It is darker than much of his output and has many exciting moments.

J.S. Bach is mostly easy to get into, and remains one of my favorite composers. He wrote a lot of great solo instrumental suites, a lot of concerti, a lot of liturgical music. Start with some instrumental suites (harpsichord, cello, violin), Brandenburg concerti, see if you like them. Bach was very prolific, yet his work was almost always of very high quality.

Vivaldi is another baroque era composer who is generally easy to listen to. His Four Seasons is a famous cycle of concerti, easy to find to buy and easy to enjoy.

I hope this supplies with you a few good entry points into baroque, classical, and romantic eras (Beethoven's later works are more or less romantic in style). Feel free to pick my brain.

 

[DarkAngel]

UD
Here is list of easy to digest classical that should be in every basic classical collection and are easy/cheap to find:

VIVALDI - Four Seasons Concertos
HAYDN - Paris Symphonies 82-87
MOZART - Symphonies 35-41, Piano Concertos 19-25
BEETHOVEN - Symphonies 1-9, Piano Concertos 1-5
SCHUBERT - Symphony 8,9
SCHUMANN - Symphonies 1-4
BRAHMS - Symphonies 1-4
MENDELSSOHN - Symphony 3,4
TCHAIKOVSKY - Symphonies 4-6, Piano Concerto 1, Nutcracker Ballet

 

[Audio Redneck]

What really helped me like classical music was liner notes and Bugs Bunny (note the music in Bugs Bunny cartoons). Comming from country and rock, I was really used to 3 minute songs. A lot of classical is 15minutes at a stretch, sometimes more.

If there are any movies with classical music that you like, that is another good place to start. Two movies that are good (but their acuracy is very questionable) are The Immortal Beloved (about Beethoven) and Amadaus (about Mozart). Amadaus lets your hear the music in his head with sudden changes as people and events come and go.

Look for "Light Classics" CDs that have many composers.

Here are some favorites:
*Ravel's William Tell Overture (aka The Lone Ranger theme - its actually about spring time)
*Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture (who can't love music that uses realcanon's

*Dukas: Sorcerer's Apprentice
*Greig: Hall of the Mountain King
*Flight of the Bumblebee is a violin piece that several rockers have done with electric guitars.
*The Four Season's is very easy to listen to (for me atleast) and once you know the basic outline of it (storms, the calm after the storm, grassy meadows, etc.) you really get a feel for it.

Most Classical music that I know of, the composer was trying to paint with music. For me, it helps to know the premis behind the piece. Its doubtful you will like it all, but with a little exploration, you are likely to find some you do, something that just connects.

(as a side note, my favorite composer it Rachmoninov, which probably says something about my often melancholy personallity)

 

[Nattapong]

Classical Music Top 40

List and sound samples from a book with a same title.

 

[Uncledan]

Cool, thanks for all respone. After I download some sample classical, I would like to look for the following CD,


Vivaldi -> The Four Seasons
Beethoven -> 1-9 symphonies and Piano concertos 1-5
Ravel's William Tell Overture
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture


however, I don't know which CD title I should buy for THE BEST RECORDING.

Any suggestion?

 

[aeberbach]

I 've got two for you:

1812: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra cond. Neeme Jarvi on Deutsche Grammophon
Beethoven's 9th Symphony: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, cond. Bernstein on Deutsche Grammophon - a live recording from 25 December 1989. Just awesome.

I don't own this set but may have recommended the Beethoven symphonies box set conducted by Gardiner, on the Arkiv label.

 

[faehntim]

Couple more modern things that you might listen to:

Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings
Quiet piece. Very emotional. Nice to relax to. You *might* find this boring, but I doubt it. If you want boring, listen to the Pachelbel Canon. I can't stand that piece.

George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Fun and easy to get into.

Gustav Holst - The Planets
Different movements based on the planets in our solar system. Wide range of character in this piece. Mars is particularly popular.

John Williams - Spielberg and Williams
Some might consider this "pop classical" considering that it's movie music, but if you're just getting into classical, it's an easy introduction to the sound. I don't really remember the name of the CD, but it has a selection from a broad range of movies that Williams and Steven Spielberg have worked together on. I've been listening to John Williams since Jaws and Star Wars.

Hope that helps.

 

[kenneth]

I would get the recording of the Four Seasons with violinist Giuliano Carmignola and the Venice Baroque Orchestra on Sony Classical. It is the most colorful and exciting recording of this piece that I know of, and I have heard many.

The Wendy Carlos synthesizer arrangements of classical pieces are always fun to listen to. Try some of these tracks - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...sical&n=507846

The Bach Brandenburg Concertos (six in all) are great. The Naxos recording are among the best, and the least expensive. Here are some samples - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...music&n=507846

 

[Lindy]

Just to throw a couple more recommendations into the mix...

1. Respighi - Pines of Rome / Fountains of Rome / Roman Festival <-- Some beautiful, colorful orchestral music
2. Stravinsky - The Firebire Suite <-- Emotional ballet music, builds to an incredible climax
3. Bach - The Goldberg Variations (Glenn Gould, 1955 recording) <-- If you like classical piano music at all, you *must* get this
Happy Listening!

 

[Snow]

One more that I enjoy that you might check out - Aaron Copland

A couple popular pieces would be Appalachian Spring and Rodeo

Snow

 

[Uncledan]

During the weekend, I bought the following CD,

Vivaldi - The Four Seasons - Anne Sophie Mutter/ Herbert Von Karajan - EMI Classics

Beethoven - 9 symphonies boxset - Herbert Von Karajan / 1963

I find out I really love The Four Seasons, especially for 1: allegro (Spring), since I heard it so many times before. (even I don't know who is the Composer

) Beethoven symphonies are kind of boring for me, expect symphoney No.5. Again, I always hear it in the movie or somewhere. I believe I will enjoy the whole symphonies after I listen more.

Does anyone have any sugestion of popular classical music? Which mean some classical music that we always hear in the movie or in the shopping mall, however, we don't know who the composer is or the name of the music.

(sounds stupid right?!?!

)

 

[00940]

For a beginner in classical music, I'd rather go for the Concerti Grossi by Corelli rather than Vivaldi.

As really known stuff, put an eye on "Carmina Burana" by Orff. This is for strong vocals, for sweet violins concerti, you cannot miss "eine kleine nachtmusik" by Mozart. A tube.

If you like "alive" classical music, also look at Lully. Avoid the vocal stuff which is a bit arid for a beginner but the concerto for trumpets are sweeeeet.

OMG

I almost forgot the Pomp and Circumstances by Elgar. So British

 

[Uncledan]

Quote:

Originally posted by 00940 For a beginner in classical music, I'd rather go for the Concerti Grossi by Corelli rather than Vivaldi. As really known stuff, put an eye on "Carmina Burana" by Orff. This is for strong vocals, for sweet violins concerti, you cannot miss "eine kleine nachtmusik" by Mozart. A tube. If you like "alive" classical music, also look at Lully. Avoid the vocal stuff which is a bit arid for a beginner but the concerto for trumpets are sweeeeet. OMG I almost forgot the Pomp and Circumstances by Elgar. So British

00940, are you talking about this CD?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...roduct-details

Which performer is the best?

 

[Dusty Chalk]

You've probably heard Albinoni's Adagio, almost guaranteed. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is another one, yes. Those are all that I can think of right now, but there's probably a whole book ("Classical for Dummies" or something [no implication meant]) devoted to the subject.