Classical Music Thread

[sir drinks-a-lot]

I am looking to purchase and familiarize myself with a bunch of classical music over the next few months, and am looking for suggestions. I am also hoping to start discussion by the classical music enthusiasts on this board.

Currently, I have a spotty understanding and familiarity with classical music. I would say I am more or less familiar with the followin composers:

-Gustav Mahler
-Frederic Chopin
-LV Beethoven
-WA Mozart
-JS Bach
-Igor Stravinsky
-Olivier Messiaen

My preference seems to be for what I guess would be called late romantic or early modern before everyone started getting all atonal.

Can anyone make any recommendations?

[fishbait]

Dvorak - 9th Symphony "From the New World"

[Miss Anthrope]

Rimsky-Korsakov, particularly Sheherazade

[Jorghnassen]

My preference seems to be for what I guess would be called late romantic or early modern before everyone started getting all atonal.


I'm a big fan of the Second Viennese school, so I can't help you :D. Actually, I'm more of a Baroque/Classical fan, to me anything after Beethoven is at usually good only small doses, so I still can't help much.

[calebprime]

I'm a big fan of the Second Viennese school, so I can't help you :D. Actually, I'm more of a Baroque/Classical fan, to me anything after Beethoven is at usually good only small doses, so I still can't help much.

Sigh.

I hope--in a bland and inoffensive way--for a new day. When someone will say she likes Berg ok.

Debussy.

Walter Piston. Second Symphony, Tilson Thomas conducting, DG recording.

Bartok. Early period--impressionist influence, but strange.
middle--often abrasive but killer--probably too atonal for your taste.
late--mellower, with some big hits like Concerto for Orchestra

Some favorites:
Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celeste
Piano Concerto #2, #3.

Arthur Berger. (mostly atonal, but his harmonies "make sense." probably not to your taste, but I thought I'd throw in a weird one or two...)

Charles "Chuck" Ives.

Samuel Barber

Benjamin Britten

[In My Spare Time]

You'd probably enjoy the neoclassical period based on what you described. Look up Maurice Ravel.

[Spiro]

Try Shostakovich - very approachable. The 5th symphony is a wonderful piece, liked by many people on first hearing and covers a mass of sounds, moods and sensations. The very cheap recording by Andre Previn is also extremely good.
If you like a big sound, the second movement of the 11th symphony is pretty stunning - it contains one of the most protracted high-powered sequences I know in music. (But be warned, the four movements are continuous so some CDs give you a hard time finding part 2.) Rostropovich recording recommended.
If these symphonies appeal, you'll move easily to other orchestral pieces - many of them are concise - then you might get to wonderful experiences like the string quartets.

[Jorghnassen]

Actually, I'll second the Shostakovich suggestion...

[rymdman]

Some swedish composers of interest:

Johan Helmich Roman (1694-1758)
Joseph Martin Kraus (1756-1792)

Allan Pettersson (1911–1980)
Wilhelm Peterson-Berger (1867-1942)
Kurt Atterberg (1887–1974)

Kraus is especially interesting, nad the time he was active and participated in, at the court of Gustav III.

Allan Pettersson is also very interesting, probably one of or perhaps the greatest composer in Sweden.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Pettersson

[calebprime]

Shostakovich: Thirded.



Bb-A--C--H
C#-F#-D#-G#

(H=B)

[TellyKNeasuss]

Prokofiev's 5th symphony is one of my favorites, and lacks the dissonance of much of his other work. The 3rd movement is probably my single most favorite movement of any symphony.

[Cello Man]

Shostakovich: um...4th'ed. I'm especially fond of his 1st Cello Concerto. Not everyone's first choice, but keep in mind what instrument I play so I'm kind of biased. The new recording by Ha Nan Chang is unbelievable. Shostakovich never went completely atonal, but he did employ dissonance in very creative ways. Click the link below and listen to track 4, then scrape your jaw off the floor. http://www.amazon.com/Shostakovich-Cello-Concerto-No-Sonata/dp/B000BP5V2Q/ref=sr_1_3/102-5967693-7256148?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1186706407&sr=1-3

Also since you're into late Romantic, get familiar with Rachmaninov. His symphonies are fantastic, but his piano concertos are what really stand out. If you get nothing else by Rachmaninov, get the Third Piano Concerto.

[TellyKNeasuss]

Also since you're into late Romantic, get familiar with Rachmaninov. His symphonies are fantastic, but his piano concertos are what really stand out. If you get nothing else by Rachmaninov, get the Third Piano Concerto.

I'll second Rach.

[Slimething]

Also since you're into late Romantic, get familiar with Rachmaninov. His symphonies are fantastic, but his piano concertos are what really stand out. If you get nothing else by Rachmaninov, get the Third Piano Concerto.

Word up!

Don't forget to check out Brahms. His symphonies are breathtaking. His piano pieces are remarkable.

If there's a particular instrument you like, the recommendations could get more specific. We could give you quite a Lizst*.

[Cello Man]

I posted these videos a few months back in another classical thread, but maybe some fresh ears can have a listen. First is a Prelude for violin and piano from Shostakovich.
hsie6Kddzqo

And, the first movement of the aforementioned Cello Concerto by Shostakovich, performed by none other than Shostakovich's good friend, the late great Mstislav Rostropovich. This really illustrates why videos of classical music are so cool. You don't really get a sense of the fingerboard acrobatics and sheer arm strength it takes to play this unless you watch it. I love the way this film is shot, how the camera captures the action of the action and the different soloists, especially the part were the cello and the French horn are superimposed during their concertante section around the 5:00 mark. And no, his endpin isn't broken. It's a design that tilts the cello further back and allows you easier access to the high registers of the fingerboard.
LeqP6rPnyeY

And just in case BPSCG is lurking here, some of my favorite Beethoven. To Sir Drinks a Lot: I know you're familiar with Beethoven already, but most people are best acquanted with his symphonies and solo piano works while the chamber music tends to get overlooked.

This sonata for cello and piano is wonderful enough for me to forgive him for never writing a cello concerto. Also, if no one here has ever seen Glenn Gould play before, saying his mannerisms are eccentric don't begin to cover it. But when you can play like this, I think you have free reign to do whatever the hell you want. And then there's Leonard Rose. What can I say about him except that he's Leonard effing Rose. This Youtube vid can't be embedded so here's the direct link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi2hXJ3qx34

[fachverwirrt]

I hope--in a bland and inoffensive way--for a new day. When someone will say she likes Berg ok.

I'm not a she, but I love Berg.

I don't think I've seen Richard Strauss mentioned. Just be sure not to confuse him with Johann (whom I find insufferable).

[ConspiRaider]

I have shown the remarkable inability to associate composers with classical pieces.

But I do do this:

I subscribe to XM Radio and when I write - serious writing - I'll always switch on a classical station from XM. It's great. Provides a bit of a stimulating background, but not too much. Not enough to distract.

[fachverwirrt]

I'll also mention that if you're willing to give it the time and effort, learning to appreciate Wagner is really worth it. It's exhausting, but in the end the payoff is enormous.

[rymdman]

I can also recommend the tv-series 'Wagner (1983)' by Tony Palmer, with Richard Burton in the role as Richard Wagner.

Another film by Tony Palmer to recommend is his film about Shostakovich, 'Testimony (1988)'. Ben Kingsley in the role of Dmitri Shostakovich.

And of course 'Mahler (1974)', 'Liztomania (1975)' and 'The Music Lovers (1970)', the last one is about Tchaikovsky. That's just a coupe of Ken Russell's films about music and composers, he's made alot of great films for british television about, Elgar, Martinu, Debussy, Strauss etc.

[sir drinks-a-lot]

Well, I must say I'm pleased to see the thread take off like this. ;)

I didn't mean to suggest that I am totally against modern music or atonality. I actually went through a period of listening to modern composition so I'm somewhat familiar with the New Vienna School, as well as composers like Lusoslawski, Penderecki, Nono, Scelsi, Wuorinen, Cage, Stockhausen, Schoenberg, etc. I've got tons of that stuff.

Lots of good recommendations above, including some new names I haven't heard. I've decided to order a few Shostakovich discs from amazon in the next day or two, including the cello concerto by Han-Na Chang. The amazon samples sound excellent. I am also looking to get a copy of his fifth symphony.

I've got the Rachmaninov 2nd Symphony and Prokofiev 3rd piano concerto and I really enjoy those two.

Thanks everyone!

[Alice Shortcake]

I second fachverwirrt's comments about Wagner. If the entire Ring cycle is too daunting to begin with have a listen to Tristan and Isolde (my favourite recordings are the 1966 Bayreuth production with Birgit Nilsson and the classic 1952 Furtwangler recording with Kirsten Flagstad). Parsifal is also an overwhelming experience, particularly in the recording made at the first post-war Bayreuth Festival in 1951.

On a rather different note, I love practically anything by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

[fachverwirrt]

Well, I must say I'm pleased to see the thread take off like this. ;)

I didn't mean to suggest that I am totally against modern music or atonality. I actually went through a period of listening to modern composition so I'm somewhat familiar with the New Vienna School, as well as composers like Lusoslawski, Penderecki, Nono, Scelsi, Wuorinen, Cage, Stockhausen, Schoenberg, etc. I've got tons of that stuff.

If you haven't already, listen to Berio's Sinfonia. If you can find a live performance, that would be best.

It's a fascinating piece.

[sir drinks-a-lot]

If you haven't already, listen to Berio's Sinfonia. If you can find a live performance, that would be best.

It's a fascinating piece.

I'm also quite familiar with berio. he is one of my favorites of the modern composers.

My amazon order is complete. An amazon order awaiting delivery is such a grand feeling.

I ended up getting the Shostakovich Cello Concerto as well as a guide to classical music that looked interesting.

[Cello Man]

Awesome! Hope you enjoy the cello concerto as much as I do. :)

[Just thinking]

Try the Orchestral Suites Nos. 1 & 2 by G. Enesco --- He's known primarily for his 2 Romanian Rhapsodies (also quite good), but these 2 works are truly outstanding.

There's also O. Respighi (Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome, The Birds, etc.)

[Just thinking]

Dvorak - 9th Symphony "From the New World"

Not to diminish this great work, but a good recording of the 6th will blow the 9th away.

[SusanB-M1]

I love Poulenc, particularly the Gloria.

Try Shostakovich - very approachable. The 5th symphony is a wonderful piece, liked by many people on first hearing and covers a mass of sounds, moods and sensations. The very cheap recording by Andre Previn is also extremely good.
If you like a big sound, the second movement of the 11th symphony is pretty stunning - it contains one of the most protracted high-powered sequences I know in music. (But be warned, the four movements are continuous so some CDs give you a hard time finding part 2.) Rostropovich recording recommended.
If these symphonies appeal, you'll move easily to other orchestral pieces - many of them are concise - then you might get to wonderful experiences like the string quartets.
At the moment I am working my way through a boxed set of Shostakovich's Symphonies - not in order, but just as I pick up a disc. Conductor: Mariss Jansens. I listen quite a few times before moving on because this is all a new area for me. Wonderful music.

Prokofiev's 5th symphony is one of my favorites, and lacks the dissonance of much of his other work. The 3rd movement is probably my single most favorite movement of any symphony.
Agree; also the Romeo and Juliet ballet music.

Shostakovich: um...4th'ed. I'm especially fond of his 1st Cello Concerto. Not everyone's first choice, but keep in mind what instrument I play so I'm kind of biased. The new recording by Ha Nan Chang is unbelievable. Shostakovich never went completely atonal, but he did employ dissonance in very creative ways. Click the link below and listen to track 4, then scrape your jaw off the floor.
****
Also since you're into late Romantic, get familiar with Rachmaninov. His symphonies are fantastic, but his piano concertos are what really stand out. If you get nothing else by Rachmaninov, get the Third Piano Concerto.
Note to self - get Shostakovich No. 1 cello concerto.
The Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 is my top favourite classical music work with Arcadi Volodos at Carnegie Hall is the best I think. Which is your favourite recording?

There is a Messiaen study day at the Royal Festival Hall on 3 Feb 2008, starting at 2:0 p.m. for which I've booked already.

[Just thinking]

Just popped back in to mention Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique --- other works by Berlioz will show that he was well ahead of his time in orchestration and form.

[Charlie Monoxide]

I've always liked the 2nd movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. Almost everyone is familiar with the 1st movement (do do do daaaaaa). Everytime I hear the 2nd movement, and in the return of the theme (about the 3:30 time mark), it drops to that low bass tone, I imagine someone burping.

Give it a listen and you'll understand what I'm saying. I hope hope I haven't ruined a wonderful piece of music but creating a musical meme ....

Charlie (Beethoven's 5th symphony, 2nd movement, the burping march) Monoxide

[sir drinks-a-lot]

I really enjoy the cello concerto, Cello Man. The performance and sound quality are also superlative. This is pretty much exactly what I was looking for, and a new direction for mr to explore.

I also picked up Repighi's fountains of rome and pines of rome, but haven't given them a listen yet.

The book I bought on classical music turned out to be a bust. It is basically like a music dictionary with biographies of the composers. I could've gotten that from wikipedia. Maybe i should check out the Rough Guide to Classical music.

[LibraryLady]

I'm mostly a baroque type person: Vivaldi, J.S. Bach, Corelli, etc. I also love the Strauss waltzes. Beethoven's 9th symphony is one of the pinnacles, in my opinion.

Not really classical as such, but you might want to listen to Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin.

Also, some Aaron Copland, Billy the Kid especially.

Try some early music, especially the recordings of David Munrow.

Finally, listen to some CD's by the Mediaeval Baebes.

[TellyKNeasuss]

Another favorite of mine that fits into the late Romantic/early Modern mold is Faure's Requiem.

A number of posters have recommended Shostakovich symphonies, but a few of them are definitely "modern". In particular, the 8th and 10th are very dissonant. When the Colorado Symphony performed the 8th, there were a significant number of people who left before the performance was over (not me - I went back the next day to hear it again).

[plumjam]

another vote for Shostakovich

best composer since Mozart, in my opinion

[Slimething]

Also, some Aaron Copland, Billy the Kid especially.

Maybe ( :rolleyes: ) there's something wrong with my wiring, but I never tire of his theme from Our Town. Always sends chills down my spine.

[Just thinking]

If you like Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, you'll love his 3rd symphony --- the final movement is built around it.

And come to think about it, Stravinsky's symphonies are great works as well (Symphony No. 1, Symphony in C and Symphony in 3 Movements).

[Graybeard6]

Start with melodic composers; Gershwin, Copeland, Tschaikovsky and the film composers (Newman, Rosa, Adinsell,etc.) Then move on to Mendelsohn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Eventually you'll come to Bach and Mahler.
But don't neglect Kristofferson, Dylan and Prine.

[fachverwirrt]

Start with melodic composers; Gershwin, Copeland, Tschaikovsky and the film composers (Newman, Rosa, Adinsell,etc.) Then move on to Mendelsohn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Eventually you'll come to Bach and Mahler.
But don't neglect Kristofferson, Dylan and Prine.
Mozart's not a melodic composer?

[Cello Man]

The Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 is my top favourite classical music work with Arcadi Volodos at Carnegie Hall is the best I think. Which is your favourite recording?

The Acardi Volodos recording is fantastic, probably the best I've heard. I'm borrowing it from a friend at the moment. However, my all time favorite performance of the Rach 3 isn't a recording at all. I had the privelege of hearing Olga Kern play it at the Cliburn Competition. For lack a better euphemism, she totally owned that piece.

I really enjoy the cello concerto, Cello Man. The performance and sound quality are also superlative. This is pretty much exactly what I was looking for, and a new direction for mr to explore.


Fantastic! I'm glad I could help. :)

another vote for Shostakovich

best composer since Mozart, in my opinion

I...agree...with...plumjam. Somebody hold me. I'm scared. :eek:

[SusanB-M1]

The Acardi Volodos recording is fantastic, probably the best I've heard. I'm borrowing it from a friend at the moment. However, my all time favorite performance of the Rach 3 isn't a recording at all. I had the privelege of hearing Olga Kern play it at the Cliburn Competition. For lack a better euphemism, she totally owned that piece.


I...agree...with...plumjam. Somebody hold me. I'm scared. :eek:

Yes, I too did a double-take when I realised that the post I was reading and agreeing withwas plumjam's!

About 25 years ago Vladimir Ashkenazy was playing Beethoven 4th Piano Concerto and the Rachmaninov 3rd at the Barbican. I only heard about it the day before and went to the Box Office on the day to wait and pounce on the first two returned tickets that came in. There were already two cancellations in the most perfect position. Wonderful concert Smetana's 'Bartered Bride' overture started it.

[sir drinks-a-lot]

The Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 is my top favourite classical music work with Arcadi Volodos at Carnegie Hall is the best I think.

Hmmmm...another CD for me to buy.

The only Rachmaninov I have is a recording of his 2nd symphony. I was pleasantly suprised - I didn't think Rachmaninov wrote anything like that.

Currently I'm listening to the 8th, 9th and 10th Shostakovich String Quartets by the Borodin Quartet. Superlative stuff!

[coalesce]

Speaking of Borodin, I just downloaded Borodin's Prince Igor from the iTunes Music Store. Lots and lots of power, which is why I love Russian composers. I like my classical music with a heaping dollop of drama, such as in Allegro Risoluto by Prokofiev.

Michael

[Walrus32]

Just popped back in to mention Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique --- other works by Berlioz will show that he was well ahead of his time in orchestration and form.

He wrote the book on orchestration...literally. It's still a classic. All that lush, gorgeous music is often fairly spare and transparent with the orchestra. Wonderful stuff...

[Undesired Walrus]

Dvorak - 9th Symphony "From the New World"

This tune is fantastic...

Any slower works by Dvorak?

[Tobermory]

Rachmaninoff -- all the piano concertos, preludes, and maybe even the compositions for piano and vocals -- heartbreaking music from my homeland.

Prokofiev-- Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella (both are ballet music)

Beethoven -- all the piano concertos, sonatas, and variations for the piano. In fact, everything by Beethoven is beyond words.

Chopin -- the impromptus, nocturnes, etudes, and 4 ballades

Debussy -- moving from the romantics to the impressionists

Ravel -- listen to the piano concerto for left hand only -- you'll never miss the right hand at all

Gershwin --the third piano concerto -- a perfect marriage of classical music and jazz

Mozart-- all piano concertos

Saint-Saens -- the Carnival of the Animals (for orchestra) -- due to excessive television advertising, you should already be familiar with the "aquarium" and the "swan."

Mussorgsky -- Pictures at an Exhibition (an excellent way to compare music to paintings)

Tchaikovsky -- all the ballet music you're most familiar with, such as the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and so on.

Puccini -- the best, most passionate introduction to opera ever. Think Pavarotti and Nessun Dorma.

That's about all I can think of in five minutes.

[Tobermory]

My goodness, I forgot Bach -- listen to all the preludes and fugues. Unless you went on the Alaska cruise. Then skip the first prelude.

[LBN]

Tchaikovsky -- all the ballet music you're most familiar with, such as the Nutcracker
I begin to have flashbacks when I hear anything from Nutcracker. I worked backstage support for a production of it and by the time I was done (thirtysomething performances) I swear I could have performed all the ballet parts. I had nightmares where I would hear the music. And don't get me started on the ballerinas. It didn't matter if they were prima assoluta or just prima. They were all pains. They would complain about everything. "You're wrapping the tape too tight". It's supposed to be tight. If it isn't it's worthless. "Get me a cup of water." I'm not a waiter. My job is to ensure you don't get injured because you have such a piss-poor diet that I could snap your tibia with my bare hands.

These days all I listen to is neoclassical. :p

[Tobermory]

I went to every performance of the Nutcracker, each season, as long as I wasn't in school. That's about 20 per year, for over 10 years (the SSO split from the PNB eventually, and the musicians were able to elect a contract with Seattle Opera instead -- my mother elected Seattle Opera).

Sometimes I'd watch from backstage, and sometimes my usher friends would find a good seat for me. Once, a mouse asked me to button his sleeve. I swear, it was the highlight of my year. Oh, and I had a crush on one of the ribbon dancers. He alway stayed with me during the second act and told me all the PNB gossip, not that I understood much about gossip when I was a child.

Later, the PNB changed its production, and I never enjoyed it quite as much again. The Nutcracker just didn't feel like "home" anymore. Oddly enough, my earliest memories of Russia also include going to see the Nutcracker. Gawd, I've spent so much of my early life in music schools, conservatories, opera houses, and symphony halls -- mostly watching, but sometimes auditioning and performing... I wasn't as shy or as scared back then.

These days, all I listen to is Led Zeppelin (with a few exceptions, of course).

P.S. And the ballerinas' tibia are stronger than you might think.

(Anyway, to get back on topic, I also recommend Schubert, Schumann, and Brahms.)

[Just thinking]

This tune is fantastic...

Any slower works by Dvorak?

Two lesser known works are his Serenade for Winds and Serenade for Strings. Not exactly slower (although they do have slow movements), they are much less powerful than his 9 symphonies and other major orchestral works --- which are what usually come to mind when one thinks of Dvorak. Excellent works none-the-less.

[Just thinking]

Rachmaninoff -- all the piano concertos, preludes, and maybe even the compositions for piano and vocals -- heartbreaking music from my homeland.

How can you forget his Symphonic Dances? It's like another symphony.

[Gregory]

How can you forget his Symphonic Dances? It's like another symphony.

He composed some fine operas, too... but if sir drinks-a-lot is looking to get into opera, I'd disagree with bluharmony and say to look up Verdi, whose Requiem he should also check out; it's one of the most amazing things I've heard/

I'd also recommend Bartok; try The Wooden Prince.

[LBN]

I went to every performance of the Nutcracker, each season, as long as I wasn't in school. That's about 20 per year, for over 10 years (the SSO split from the PNB eventually, and the musicians were able to elect a contract with Seattle Opera instead -- my mother elected Seattle Opera).

It's all fun and games until you're working the show, especially under medical emergency conditions. Luckily the main physical therapist took the brunt of the screamers. By the time they got to me they were just incessantly complaining.

Once, a mouse asked me to button his sleeve. I swear, it was the highlight of my year.

I once had a similar experience in college after my friend gave me this tiny piece of paper to put under my tongue.

P.S. And the ballerinas' tibia are stronger than you might think.

No it wasn't. We treated her for a tibial plateau fracture. :p That's why I brought it up.

[Tobermory]

How can you forget his Symphonic Dances? It's like another symphony.

Mainly because I'm passionate about his piano works -- in fact, all my classical recommendations tend to slant in that direction. Anyway, Rachmaninoff truly writes the music of my heart. If played by good musicians, I can't stop the tears from flowing. Not ever.

LBN: Watch out for those mysterious squares of paper; they may make you see things you don't want to see. Or, of course, they may make you see the music. But these days, so will Winamp.

[Tobermory]

He composed some fine operas, too... but if sir drinks-a-lot is looking to get into opera, I'd disagree with bluharmony and say to look up Verdi, whose Requiem he should also check out; it's one of the most amazing things I've heard/


Verdi provides a great introduction as well. I just wouldn't start with Wagner, I suppose.

[BPScooter]

Great suggestions, all. I've played and listened to a ton of classical music, to the point where I sometimes take a break. When I'm done with the break, it's likely that Bach or Ravel get me roused back into the notion that in the hands of great artists, this music is as amazingly complex as anything ever conceived by the human brain! In particular, the violin sonatas/partitas or keyboard solo suites of Bach (I must admit I listen to Gould's interpretations with great admiration) or Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe ballet. But the good stuff is all so danged good that it boggles my mind. Prokofiev violin concerto (can't remember which one, great slow movement, Heifetz recording) is sort of glued to my turntable now...

[Tobermory]

Gould's interpretations are definitely interesting, but it's also important to listen to someone more straightforward, I think. Andras Schiff, maybe? At least for comparison's sake.

[BPScooter]

Totally correct, bluharmony. Funny that Schiff's is one of the only other WTC (Well Tempered Klavier) recordings I have. Admirable to the utmost degree. I also like the harpsichord and organ, Pinnock and Koopman in my record collection but I'm sure there are many others, for the keyboard stuff. I just wouldn't necessarily expect someone without significant listening or Western music experience to "get it" if that was the first thing they heard. Sort of depends on if the listener is on the freeway or ready to take a few off-ramps in to small towns and back roads.

I guess I'd also have to recommend anything at all played by Andres Segovia.

[sackett]

This AM on my way to work, I heard a 1951 recording of Menuin playing a Wm. Walton viola concerto. Yes, viola.

I only heard Menuin live once, many years ago, performing a lengthy violin program -- and then more encores than anybody really asked for (I split between the third and fourth; he didn't notice, he didn't even pause).

From the first note out of that viola, you knew it was Yehudi. Blam! right between the eyes and ears! If you're going to be overpowered, let it be that way.

Viola! I can't get over it. And I don't even much like W. Walton.

[Tobermory]

Scaramouche by Darius Milhaud -- various solo instruments to choose from. Good stuff, transcends "classical" genres.

Oh, and I'd also recommend anything at all played by my mother.

[sir drinks-a-lot]

Hello all,

Just thought I'd pop in again. I must say I am very pleased to see this thread taking off in so many directions. I've been reading your posts and purchasing and getting CDs from the library. I am fortunate enough (or unfortunate enough) to live near a gigantic CD store that has about everything in stock.

I've been immersing myself in Shostakovich, Rachmaninov, and Prokofiev and loving it. I also recently picked up the video DVS of the Tacacks Quartet playing the Bartok Sting Quartets. I feel like I don't yet understand them, which is intriguing in and of itself. ;) I'll keep listening. Is anyone here familiar with these?

[Hardenbergh]

Sphären-Klänge ('Music of the Spheres') op. 235 (1868) by Josef Strauss.

http://www.amazon.com/Strauss-Family-Waltzes-Eduard/dp/B000003FHD

The Music of the Spheres is a beautiful Strauss waltz which looks back on a forgotten world of elegance and refinement, in turn referring back to the Music of the Spheres with which the ancient Greeks used to describe the harmonies of their universe. The ethereal sound of the music conjures up the sophisticated rhythms and exquisite harmonies of the Waltz-king, Johann Strauss. But that is our first misconception—it is not the music of Johann Strauss at all, but of his less extrovert, more poetic and melancholic brother, Josef, whom Johann claimed was “the most gifted of us all.” Familiarity brings with it a lack of critical sensitivity, a willingness to look on events through rose-tinted spectacles. Just as some may look back at those elegant days in the ballrooms of Vienna, so we may look back at the days of our youth when mathematics was taught properly—in those good old days when it was always warm in summer and snow fell on Christmas day. It is a nostalgia which clouds our reason and limits us from seeing the possibilities that lie before us.

http://www.warwick.ac.uk/staff/David.Tall/pdfs/dot1995e-inaugural-lecture.pdf

[SusanB-M1]

Deleted - realised I was duplicating what I'd said before.

[TellyKNeasuss]

All the mentions of Rachmaninoff reminded me of how overwhelmed I was by a live performance of The Bells, which set Edgar Allen Poe's poem of that name to music.

[maledoro]

An easy introduction to classical music would be via the original soundtrack album to A Clockwork Orange and the seperate album of Walter/Wendy Carlos' score.

I recommend (and own) both of them.

[Slimething]

There's also a recording called "Go For Baroque" that I bought out of curiosity a long time ago. When I got home and played it for the first time, I noticed it was recorded by Deutsche Gramophone (sp?) which is a very reputable studio. Well, it was excellent but obviously mass-market as it was a "greatest hits" type of album. Anyway, if you see it pick it up. Don't be afraid to get a review type of recording to introduce you to a genre you might just like.

[Walrus32]

Two lesser known works are his Serenade for Winds and Serenade for Strings. Not exactly slower (although they do have slow movements), they are much less powerful than his 9 symphonies and other major orchestral works --- which are what usually come to mind when one thinks of Dvorak. Excellent works none-the-less.

He wrote wonderful chamber music. Try the Dumky Trio.

[oboefan18]

I'm going to show a complete bias towards my instrument and recommend Hindemith's Oboe Concerto, as well as seconding the recommendation of Dvorak's 9th symphony, simply because it has an awesome English Horn solo in the second movement. Oh, also Holst's The Planets, amazing piece that actually uses the bass oboe.

[Hardenbergh]

This is what I heard this morning on radio station WBACH 106.9 FM (Maine's Classical Network) - CHOPIN: Piano concerto #2 in f, Opus 21 B. 43, 2nd mvt. (Montreal Symphony Orchestra/Dutoit, Charles; Bolet, Jorge, piano) London Records

http://www.wbachradio.com/page.php?page_id=9032

[JSmith]

Gustav Holst -- The Planets. I am especially fond of Mars and Jupiter, but they're all lovely.

[orpheus]

Hmm... judging by what you've said you like, give the Bartók piano concerti a try. Two good recordings: Zoltan Kocis (sp?), with the Budapest Festival Orchestra, Ivan Fischer conducting; Peter Donohoe, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle conducting.

[666]

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a notification from Pandora (http://www.pandora.com) last month. They now have a selection of classical music. I certainly recommend it if you haven't tried it before.

[SusanB-M1]

666
Love the avatar! Is it twinkling too?

Orpheus
I hope you have had an interesting and successful 2007; all best wishes for 2008
With continuing thanks to you, I am still expanding my musical listening and today, for instance, I am going to the Library to collect a CD of some Honegger music to see if I like it before buying. I also bought a Stockhausen CD 'Mantra' - interesting , if somewhat unusual!