[EsthetiX]

I mainly listen to electronic music. I do not enjoy the trendy repetitive mainstream oakenfold, tiesto, paul van dyke stuff. I listen moer to stuff that is very creative and transitional, and not as synthetic as you may assume. That being said, yes these are 2 very different genres so it should be interesting.

I know absolutely nothing about classical music other than I want to give it a try. I'm interested in anything talented, creative, interesting, catchy, and I'd like it to be a little dark but still vibrant and full of energy. Can I get some suggestions? I know I'm not being specific enough so please help me to be by asking questions if needed.

 

[Thelonious Monk]

could you give a few examples of what electronic artists you listen to? i'll feel more comfortable recommending something then.

 

[Netminder]

What instruments do you like? Cello? Violin? Brass? Big sound, small sound?

 

[guttorm]

give beethoven's 5th piano concerto (aka "the emperor") a try. off the top of my head it seems a pretty accessible piece but one you could enjoy no matter how into classical you get

 

[sejarzo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EsthetiX /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm interested in anything talented, creative, interesting, catchy, and I'd like it to be a little dark but still vibrant and full of energy.

Hmmm....dark...hey, Monk, should I suggest some Barber for EsthetiX?

Catchy, though........Barber wasn't "catchy" for me until I listened pretty deep into his compositions. On the other hand, I find that 20th century music is often a way to get non-classical listeners interested. The full palette of orchestration is available, and there is more dissonance that makes it sound, to many noobs, more accessible.

EDIT: Copland, perhaps? Definitely catchy and accessible, IMHO.

One of the best ways to learn about classical music is via the Naxos web site. They put out TONS of CD's, and have a huge collection of educational pages that help you learn more about composers and their styles. The Naxos Music Library lets you listen, without a paid subscription, to any CD on the Naxos label for 15 minutes at a time at 64kbps streaming audio, which is more than adequate to allow you to determine if you like/don't like the composition or performance. (And if your 15 minutes runs out, close the browser, and then just load that page again if you need more time!)

Naxos CD's are about the least expensive way to accumulate a library of classical material, too. The online vendors who specialize in classical discs tend to put them on sale about every other month for $6.99.

 

[Netminder]

Tchaikovsky's 1st piano concerto is my absolute favorite!

 

[GSurge]

I'm curious about this also.

I like deep sounding instruments, booming chorus, that sort of thing. Something that starts off slow but really takes off is great. I suppose I just like energy.

 

[Thelonious Monk]

i will throw my personal favorite at you: Olivier Messiaen. the man was a genius. i recommend any of the Complete Organ Music volumes tWE HAVE A MUSIC FORUMo start. Barber was a great suggestion, probably more in line with what you're looking for. but i am stubborn, and want to throw Paganini at you now.

 

[EsthetiX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thelonious Monk /img/forum/go_quote.gif could you give a few examples of what electronic artists you listen to? i'll feel more comfortable recommending something then.

the sound is really lush/layered and deep sort of dark and it takes you on a journey over a period of time it builds... I like an abundance of subtle detail that is not so up front in your face. You have to pay attention...

Also, in reference to the question about my instrument preference, I'm not really sure... I guess it depends how it is layered together. As far as I know of I'm not a huge fan of brass though.

http://darinepsilon.com/downloads/st...nuary_2006.m3u

01 Leonine - Wrong Intentions (intro) - [Global Underground]
02 Shusi Khijada - By Cosmos (Profundo Remix) - [Exquisi Tech]
03 Arenok - Free Yourself (Stel's Tendollar Mix) - [Kinky Vinyl]
04 Madoka - Drift (Roel H Mix) - [Private Reality]
05 Introvert - 5 AM Illusions (Original Mix) - [Aurium]
06 Rising Rhythm - Sunkissed (Moonface Mix) - [Intrinsic]
07 Rising Rhythm - Sunkissed (Peaktime Mix) - [Intrinsic]
08 Peres & Petersky - Hello Ladies - [Aurium]
09 Cassino & Laben - Leaving Panic Behind (Flash Brothers Remix) - [Babylon]
10 Fitalic - Fields Of Motion - [Pangea UK]
11 Chris Lake & Rhythm Code present L.A.B. Music - Wrong Turn - [Babylon]
12 Eelke Kleijn - Enchanted - [Lost Language]
13 Shiloh - Latex (Original Mix) - [Method]

http://darinepsilon.com/downloads/st...D_Mar_2005.m3u

01 Geert Huinink & Alco Rhythm - Dreamscape (Deep Groove Mix) - [Black Hole]
02 Alexander Church - Sound Advice - [Midnight]
03 Alexander Church - Lost Identity - [Midnight]
04 Tkac & Haverlik feat. Misha - Noel (Original Mix) - [Baroque]
05 Marris - Knowledge & Happiness (Bart Van Wissen Remix) - [Nascent]
06 Madoka - Altered (Shiloh Mix) - [ShineMusic]
07 Shiloh - Mana (Elite Force Remix) - [Electrofly]
08 Bart Van Wissen - Electric - [Private Reality]
09 Roel H - Designate - [Private Reality]
10 Bart Van Wissen - Getting Closer - [Private Reality]

 

[EsthetiX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thelonious Monk /img/forum/go_quote.gif i will throw my personal favorite at you: Olivier Messiaen. the man was a genius. i recommend any of the Complete Organ Music volumes tWE HAVE A MUSIC FORUMo start. Barber was a great suggestion, probably more in line with what you're looking for. but i am stubborn, and want to throw Paganini at you now.

Im listening to some of those paginni pieces and they don't seem full/rich enough to me. I do like the classical guitar though. i think I'm looking for something triumphant and powerful.

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EsthetiX /img/forum/go_quote.gif the sound is really lush/layered and deep sort of dark and it takes you on a journey over a period of time it builds... I like an abundance of subtle detail that is not so up front in your face. You have to pay attention...

I think you might really go for Gyorgy Ligeti and Khachaturian. They were the darker passages in 2001, if you've seen the movie. If you haven't...well it's a great movie for classical music!!!!

edit...found the Khachaturian clip in the movie that I really like (very dark and moody):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anjVj...elated&search=

 

[vcoheda]

emi 100 series. dead cheap. has everything.

http://www.100bestseries.com/emi_best100_catalogue.htm

 

[sejarzo]

OK, Barber's Second Essay for Orchestra.........

Go to:

http://www.naxosmusiclibrary.com/home.asp

Click on the "Free Preview" button-ish thing at lower right and allow the search page to load.

Once you get to the search page, you are "logged in" and can jump directly to the page for the disc by pasting this URL into your browser's address field (or try just clicking on it if you have the above page already open in another browser tab) :

http://www.naxosmusiclibrary.com/str..._code=8.559134

Click the box for track 2, then click on the "Play Selections" button under the CD booklet graphic at right.

How does that compare with what you are seeking?

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EsthetiX /img/forum/go_quote.gif Im listening to some of those paginni pieces and they don't seem full/rich enough to me. I do like the classical guitar though. i think I'm looking for something triumphant and powerful.

Julian Bream and John Williams have some really nice Paganini peices for guitar. But you'll love their Villa Lobos and Bach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbW4r...elated&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PehGj...elated&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPfZV...elated&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukQnR...elated&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYpdU...elated&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frgys...elated&search=

 

[sejarzo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EsthetiX /img/forum/go_quote.gif i think I'm looking for something triumphant and powerful.

Copland's Third Symphony. Incorporates the well-known "Fanfare for the Common Man", written (like Barber's Second Essay) near the end of WWII.

I saw the Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform this a couple of weeks ago at Orchestra Hall. Thought I died and went to heaven. You would have thought there were 50 trumpets on stage..........

Here's a nice CD that includes another accessible Copland piece, and it's under $10 as it's one of the older Telarc releases:

http://www.telarc.com/gscripts/title.asp?gsku=0201

From an earlier era, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony certainly qualifies.......but to appreciate it, you have to listen to ALL of it, and sometimes it's hard to set aside over an hour for that.

And that's one reason that I often suggest 20th Century composers--I guess even 60 or 70 years ago, they anticipated that people might like their music in smaller doses than full Romantic symphonies! Barber wrote many pieces that are in the 10 to 20 minute range (the three Essays for Orchestra, for instance, and his Symphony 1 is just over 20 minutes). He also created a piece known as "Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance" by excerpting parts from the entire ballet (known as just "Medea".)