Posted: 12/15/2007 8:27:08 PM EDT
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I've been listening to the local classical music channel on the radio. Could some of you classical music fans recommend a CD or two to a complete newb?  I literally don't know anything about the genre. I'm looking for instrumental music with a darker, slower pace--something that I can play in the background when I'm trying to relax. |
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I will recommend anything by Vangelis for instrumental music. I highly recommend the soundtrack for "The Bounty". www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhM3bc8XuS0 |
Yep, that last one escaped my memory - its very good to. Eine kleine Nachte Musik by Mozart (A Little Night Music) is also very good. |
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Thanks so far!  When I say I don't know anything about Classical, I'm serious! Are there specific symphonies (orchestras?) that are better than others? Aren't there several popular composers that are "covered" by different orchestras? For instance, if I want Beethovens Ninth Symphony, is there one version that's better than others? |
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Beijing central philharmonic orchestra has CD's entilted popular classics. Some Bach goodness... www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRhIJQRL0Eg |
Classical Music can be divided into main periods: Rennasaince, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary. The Baroque Period lasted from the late 1500's (or early 1600's to the early to mid 1700's) Composers such as Bach were around...in fact you've probably heard Bach's (Johann Sebastian) Organ Fugue in E minor. Classical Period: Mozart etc. Romantic Period: Beethovan, Chopin, etc. Contemporary: Debussy, Copeland, etc. Composers like Tchaikovsky, Camille Saint Saen's, Rimsky Korsakov sort of straddled both Eras. Good Music: Bach Organ Fugues Vivaldi's Gloria (screw "The Four Seasons"..everybody listens to that damn thing, its good..just too popular among some pretentious people) Listen to Gloria: it is a Choral Piece in Latin and it is all about the Glory of God Mozart (what can I say...if Beethovan was a Genius then Mozart was a God). Beethovan's Symphonies, Piano Concertos and pieces, his Ode to Joy... all of it outstanding.. Chopin's Piano Etudes (these were Excersizes for the Advanced Student, but were so damn good, they became "pieces" for recitals) Niccolo Paganini's "Witches Brew" (composed and played by the greatest Violinist who ever lived..though unfortunately before there were recordings) Rachmoninoff's Piano Concerto's Rimsky Korsakov's Sherezade (especiallly if you have a very hot date and want a smoking hot romantic evening, this peice just screams "PASSION", great to listen to in front of a fire place with lights turned down, and making out to) Tiachovsky's Nut Cracker Suite (he really hated this peice, but everyone just "loves" it) Beethovan is good for Stormy days. Especially his Pathetique' very Dark and stormy Piano music. His Symphonies are good too. Chopin good for a stormy evening Renasaince Music is nice to listen to when you want to party with some friends Gregorian Chants are good for quiet evenings drinking some Trappist Ale. Classical Guitarists: The Yamashita's (Brother and Sister) (Segovia is too stiff). Julian Bream was quite good, more subtle than the Yamashita's, but not as good technically. Just very different. Good Cellists: Pablo Casals, Yo Yo Ma. Good Pianist: Vladimer Horowitz Good all around Violinist: Issac Stern, Yitzhak Perlman. Listening to Renasaince and Baroque Lute Music is also good. Gives you a one upmanship over a lot of liberals who think they know something listening to a little classical guitar. Good Opera Overtures to listen to: Rossini. His Overtures were the best. You may not recognize his name but you will recognize his overtures once you are listening to them (Barber De Seville, William Tell, etc) A good contempory composer to listen to is Ralph Van Williams, Phillip Glass. |
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This is an amazing performance by a very small little girl: www.youtube.com/watch?v=32gsiqbjbk8 Its Mozart's Concerto for Piano/Orch. No. 26 (coronation). I've always liked this. |
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Overall, the best thing you can do is listen to a lot of Public Radio in the afternoons. They play a lot of diverse classical music, and you'll soon start to figure out what you like and what you don't. Keep a pad and pen handy so you can write down stuff you hear that you like. ETA given your description of what you are looking for, here are two albums you'll probably love: David Darling -- Cello. Eleni Karaindrou -- The Weeping Meadow. |
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Schubert The Trout Quintet Beethoven's Coral Fantasy Lockney Flower Duet Boccerini A Night in the Streets of Madrid Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 I'd stay away from Wagner's overture to Die Valkyre, The Ride of the Valkyries. That would tend to pump you up. Instead, try his Pilgrim's Chorus from Tannhauser. |
Thanks for the education, I appreciate it!
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