Yay! I really got into classical music in a big way recently. I have some recommendations.
First and foremost, my favourite classical piece of all time is Tabula Rasa by Arvo Pärt. Here are some others. I know you said symphonic but here is a nice mix of different styles:
Tabula Rasa - Arvo Pärt (essential)
Chopin - 24 Preludes
Gyorgy Ligeti - Etudes pour Piano
Aus den Sieben Tagen by Karlheinz Stockhausen (RIP)
La Legende d'Er by Iannis Xenakis
Madrigali Libri Quatro, Quinto & Sesto by Carlo Gesualdo (Seriously, there is a 5 second section of Merce Grido Piangendo by Gesualdo that may be the most perfect moment in music I have ever heard)
Requiem by György Ligeti (This is a tad challenging for classical newbies probably but definitely worth a listen )
Rothko Chapel/Why Patterns? by Morton Feldman
Krzysztof Penderecki - Sacred Choral Works (incredible)
I didn't mention any of the well known stuff like Mozart or Beethoven because you need to hear as much of that as possible anyway.
"I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
Yay! I really got into classical music in a big way recently. I have some recommendations.
First and foremost, my favourite classical piece of all time is Tabula Rasa by Arvo Pärt. Here are some others. I know you said symphonic but here is a nice mix of different styles:
Tabula Rasa - Arvo Pärt (essential)
Chopin - 24 Preludes
Gyorgy Ligeti - Etudes pour Piano
Aus den Sieben Tagen by Karlheinz Stockhausen (RIP)
La Legende d'Er by Iannis Xenakis
Madrigali Libri Quatro, Quinto & Sesto by Carlo Gesualdo (Seriously, there is a 5 second section of Merce Grido Piangendo by Gesualdo that may be the most perfect moment in music I have ever heard)
Requiem by György Ligeti (This is a tad challenging for classical newbies probably but definitely worth a listen )
Rothko Chapel/Why Patterns? by Morton Feldman
Krzysztof Penderecki - Sacred Choral Works (incredible)
I didn't mention any of the well known stuff like Mozart or Beethoven because you need to hear as much of that as possible anyway.
I recall my first reaction to hearing it well. It went something like this:
Friend who introduced me to Tabula Rasa: Well?
Me: Fuck...
Friend: I know... I told you
Me: Seriously, fuck...
"I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
I forgot (god knows how) to mention Virginal Co-Ordinates by Eyvind Kang. This is a pretty obscure album that not a lot of people seem to know about but it it, in my opinion, a masterpiece. Elements of it move away from "classical" towards world music (a term I hate) but it's all beautiful. I defy anyone to not find I am the Dead and Innocent Eye, Crystal See utterly wonderful.
"I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
Always liked Beethoven's odd numbered symphonies, plus his piano sonatas.
Found Bach and me didn't click at first and then one day it all just fell into place and I love much of old JS's stuff.
Recommend just grabbing bits here and there and see what works for you. I have never been able to get into Mozart and opera always sounded like a domestic dispute set to music, but others love it.
The other people who have posted on here have also given some excellent and varied selections. Like listening to any music just keep an open mind and pick what you like, because your taste is your taste and is equally as valid as anybody else's.
Now I'm livin' out here on the beach,
but those seagulls are still out of reach.
I don't think this is what you're looking for but I've been listening to Lisa Gerrard/ Dead Can Dance a lot lately. I never heard somebody sing like her before. It's really hard to describe or put a label this music. Check out any of these albums if ya want
Dead Can Dance - Wake
Lisa Gerrard - Best of
Lisa Gerrard/ Pieter Bourke - Duality
i can swallow some Vivaldi or some Handel, but that's about it.
:eek:
Vivaldi is like the Britney Spears of classical music
"I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
he gets extra points for being a monk in my book though.
i find inspiration in the story, as much as the music.
but it is definately the "pop" of classical.
that was kind've my point.
about all i can stomach.
I used to hate classical music... but then I realised that it's only because most of the really well known popular stuff is done to death on TV, film etc. I've recently come to realise that the best classical music is better than anything else. The best of classical far outstrips the best of rock music. No, really
"I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
I used to hate classical music... but then I realised that it's only because most of the really well known popular stuff is done to death on TV, film etc. I've recently come to realise that the best classical music is better than anything else. The best of classical far outstrips the best of rock music. No, really
There's a lot of it that has been done to death though. And lot of the recordings out there are kind of second rate too...it's too bad because if someone picks up a great piece that's done in a dead way it's just as bad as a lousy piece...
I saw a thing called Classical Star on TV a short while ago. A number of young musicians competed to get a classical music recording contract. One of the competitions was to play a classical routine to a bar full of students who would never otherwise hear it..
One girl (a pianist) introduced her favourite piece of music, said it was a very emotional piece of music, that it has special meaning to her at the moment, and that she wasn't going to tell anyone what it is.. and then she played it..
It was Chopin's 'Funeral March'. It had the entire bar (and me, almost) in tears. Fucking amazing. Everyone's heard this piece, but I'd never 'listened' to it. And shortly afterwards, someone on the board recommended me loads of stuff by Chopin. I haven't had time to look into it, but I need to..
'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'
I saw a thing called Classical Star on TV a short while ago. A number of young musicians competed to get a classical music recording contract. One of the competitions was to play a classical routine to a bar full of students who would never otherwise hear it..
One girl (a pianist) introduced her favourite piece of music, said it was a very emotional piece of music, that it has special meaning to her at the moment, and that she wasn't going to tell anyone what it is.. and then she played it..
It was Chopin's 'Funeral March'. It had the entire bar (and me, almost) in tears. Fucking amazing. Everyone's heard this piece, but I'd never 'listened' to it. And shortly afterwards, someone on the board recommended me loads of stuff by Chopin. I haven't had time to look into it, but I need to..
Please, do yourself a favor and find recordings by Rubinstein, Perahia or Emanuel Ax. Don't just grab anything off the shelf.
Please, do yourself a favor and find recordings by Rubinstein, Perahia or Emanuel Ax. Don't just grab anything off the shelf.
Are these different composers, or people who played Chopin?
'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'
MattCameronKicksButt
Posts: 4,317
Comments
Narrow it down for me and I'll recommend something.
Symphonic. Big band!
That's two different things!
Big band: I don't like big bands!
I guess big bands aren't classical. That's what I was looking for though.
I am starting to love instrumental music.
Where do I start with Mozart? From one PJ fan to another?
*Edit* I REALLY thought more people would be able to shed some light on this for me. :(
Okay. Thanks. I guess I was a bit vague.
I want to learn more about classical music in general but how can anyone not like big band?
Summerfest 2006
"Why would they come to our concert just to boo us?" -Lisa Simpson
I love it. I think it was Mozart's last composition? Humm.. It's brilliant!
Ludwig van Beethoven - Missa Solemnis
Anton Bruckner - Symphony No. 7 in E major
Ludwig van Beethoven - Violin Sonata No. 5
First and foremost, my favourite classical piece of all time is Tabula Rasa by Arvo Pärt. Here are some others. I know you said symphonic but here is a nice mix of different styles:
Tabula Rasa - Arvo Pärt (essential)
Chopin - 24 Preludes
Gyorgy Ligeti - Etudes pour Piano
Aus den Sieben Tagen by Karlheinz Stockhausen (RIP)
La Legende d'Er by Iannis Xenakis
Madrigali Libri Quatro, Quinto & Sesto by Carlo Gesualdo (Seriously, there is a 5 second section of Merce Grido Piangendo by Gesualdo that may be the most perfect moment in music I have ever heard)
Requiem by György Ligeti (This is a tad challenging for classical newbies probably but definitely worth a listen
Rothko Chapel/Why Patterns? by Morton Feldman
Krzysztof Penderecki - Sacred Choral Works (incredible)
I didn't mention any of the well known stuff like Mozart or Beethoven because you need to hear as much of that as possible anyway.
Absolute masterpiece.
Thanks. Now THAT'S helpful!
Friend who introduced me to Tabula Rasa: Well?
Me: Fuck...
Friend: I know... I told you
Me: Seriously, fuck...
Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
R.i.p. My Dad - May 28, 2007
R.i.p. Black Tail (cat) - Sept. 20, 2008
Found Bach and me didn't click at first and then one day it all just fell into place and I love much of old JS's stuff.
Recommend just grabbing bits here and there and see what works for you. I have never been able to get into Mozart and opera always sounded like a domestic dispute set to music, but others love it.
The other people who have posted on here have also given some excellent and varied selections. Like listening to any music just keep an open mind and pick what you like, because your taste is your taste and is equally as valid as anybody else's.
but those seagulls are still out of reach.
Dead Can Dance - Wake
Lisa Gerrard - Best of
Lisa Gerrard/ Pieter Bourke - Duality
Actually check this song out on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xpkRj99FH0
http://www.myspace.com/maxrichtermusic
If I opened it now would you not understand?
Vivaldi is like the Britney Spears of classical music
exactly.
he gets extra points for being a monk in my book though.
i find inspiration in the story, as much as the music.
but it is definately the "pop" of classical.
that was kind've my point.
about all i can stomach.
If I opened it now would you not understand?
There's a lot of it that has been done to death though. And lot of the recordings out there are kind of second rate too...it's too bad because if someone picks up a great piece that's done in a dead way it's just as bad as a lousy piece...
One girl (a pianist) introduced her favourite piece of music, said it was a very emotional piece of music, that it has special meaning to her at the moment, and that she wasn't going to tell anyone what it is.. and then she played it..
It was Chopin's 'Funeral March'. It had the entire bar (and me, almost) in tears. Fucking amazing. Everyone's heard this piece, but I'd never 'listened' to it. And shortly afterwards, someone on the board recommended me loads of stuff by Chopin. I haven't had time to look into it, but I need to..
- the great Sir Leo Harrison
Please, do yourself a favor and find recordings by Rubinstein, Perahia or Emanuel Ax. Don't just grab anything off the shelf.
Are these different composers, or people who played Chopin?
- the great Sir Leo Harrison