Log In
Register
8.56pm
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline
As I am currently re-dipping my toes in the waters of Classical Music before plunging into the deep end I thought I might create a new thread to capture my thoughts on the experience and any contributions anyone else wishes to make. As usual I did a search for a suitable topic and failed to find one – which is more often a sign of my failed search skills rather than a sign of the existence or otherwise of an existing thread. So Mods – as per usual – please move if required.
Okay – today I picked up the ‘Limited Edition’ 25th Anniversary release of the 3 Tenors CD and DVD combo. Apparently it’s the best selling classical record of all time and I vaguely recall liking it on release.
On Monday I will be picking up a historic Flying Dutchman (Wagner) on the local budget label Eloquence – which seems to be doing a fine job of reissuing excellent historic and more recent recordings. This one is a well-regarded 1950s recording conducted by Fricsay for the amazingly low price of AUD$10 for the two CDs.
If you have seen my other posts on the topic you would know that I gave away most of my classical CDs when I moved house last month – I have since caught up on them, gone past them, and even recaptured some of the esoteric titles I had on LP back in the day. All at a reasonable cost and taking up far less shelf space (though HKL might dispute that). Yes, I realised how much I missed listening to my classical collection and how much more I still wanted to explore.
So, wrapping up my posts in other topics – I have a new 86CD Beethoven Complete Edition on the shelf and around three-dozen assorted new classical CDs. I have a 56CD DG (Deutsche Grammophon) set of symphonies and a 100CD DG set of assorted classical recordings on the way from France and a 49CD set of Shostakovich on the way from the UK.
The dipping has been via a 2014 set of 5 DG CDs entitled 100 Classical Masterworks which is a great sampler for anyone new to the classical field – it has great selections and stunning sound and is available at a budget price.
The following people thank trcanberra for this post:
Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^<, Shamrock Womlbs, Von Bontee==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
1.11am
27 March 2015
Offline
I’ve been having such moments as well, though I currently do not own any classical music – unless Cellomania’s rendition of Nothing Else Matters counts… I do, however, have a massive ‘Classical Favourites’ playlist on Spotify, and I intend to buy some music eventually.
Growing up, the bulk of the music I was subjected to, was classical. This wasn’t always pleasant as you might imagine (long story), and as a result, I found myself unable to listen to any of it throughout my late teens and early adult years. Luckily, I’ve gotten over the negative associations, and have found a new appreciation of the music.
Whilst I like Beethoven, my favourite works include some of Mozart’s, as well as Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. The latter leads back directly to my childhood: there was a New Year’s Concert broadcast on Dutch television each year when I grew up, and that concert always included the Four Seasons. But even though I can hum that in my sleep, my favourite classical music piece is this:
I love the entire concerto, but part II, which starts around 10:30, is specifically the piece I’m referring to. That bit never fails to give me goose pimples.
The following people thank Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^< for this post:
trcanberra, Beatlebug, Von BonteeFormerly Known As JPM-Fangirl --
2016
'Out There' - 07-06-2015 - Ziggo Dome Amsterdam -- 'One On One' - 12-06-2016 - Pinkpop Festival Landgraaf
1.37am
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline I had much the same reaction @Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^< after being forced to listen to and play classical at school – I recall your mentioning it once in another thread and your comments resonated with me. As a result I never really got “into” it until my late 30s – but since then it has been a major part of my music listening experience; alongside or alternating with more ‘popular’ music.
I really like Beethoven (I have a bust of him on a shelf) and Mozart (I have wonderful limited edition biographies of both). The Four Seasons is just fantastic. As mentioned in another thread I am going to try and widen my horizons with the Shostakovich then maybe venture more into baroque – I like Handel but still haven’t quite come to terms with Bach.
I’m really into CDs – fiddling with files and formats doesn’t appeal much to me – though I can see the advantages. Thanks for the comments and I look forward to hearing about any other works or composers you come across and like (or not).
[EDIT] Yes, that ^ 2nd movement is great. I really think some of Mozart’s best music is in his slower movements where he merges great melodies with some wonderfully expressive emotions.
My current favourite is Beethoven’s 5th – which started my fascination with classical music via a magazine-mounted CD of the piece conducted by Klemperer; it was only around $2 and I thought “Why not?” – the rest, as they say, is ….
The following people thank trcanberra for this post:
Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^<==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
2.14am
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline The following people thank trcanberra for this post:
Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^<==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
3.31am
24 March 2014
Offline
trcanberra said
I have a new 86CD Beethoven Complete Edition on the shelf and around three-dozen assorted new classical CDs. I have a 56CD DG (Deutsche Grammophon) set of symphonies and a 100CD DG set of assorted classical recordings on the way from France and a 49CD set of Shostakovich on the way from the UK.The dipping has been via a 2014 set of 5 DG CDs entitled 100 Classical Masterworks which is a great sampler for anyone new to the classical field – it has great selections and stunning sound and is available at a budget price.
A huge collection you have!… I would recommend Solti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, especially the Mahler symphonies but whatever stuff you could get (if you don’t have it already) would be great. Or try to get a Solti collection, he was a great conductor and musician, my favourite no doubts. Also his version of the “Zauberflöte” with the Wiener Philharmoniker sounds pretty amazing, specially the overture.
Seiji Ozawa is another great conductor. His version of Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet”, wow…
I hope you enjoy Shostakovich, his music might not be very warm and joyful at first but once you get into it you’ll appreciate it more and more. I’ve been re-listening to his strings quartets lately , specially his 8th, and i highly recommend it.
Die Zauberflöte by Solti and the Wiener Philharmoniker (though it’s the whole opera, just listen to the overture)
The following people thank Shamrock Womlbs for this post:
trcanberra"I Need You by George Harrison"
3.33am
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Cool. Was looking at my Father’s collection last night and there aare more CD’s than HMV yet no titles I recognise; there are plenty of sonatas and symphonies and whatnots by Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart etc yet no Ode To Joy.
Any tips where to start. I really am idiotic when it comes to Classical music.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
3.42am
24 March 2014
Offline Mozart symphony nº 40 could be a great start, though you probably know it already.
Ode to joy is in Beethoven’s 9th symphony 4th movement, so if there is a beethoven’s 9th symphony in your father’s collection just play the last movement and there it’ll be : )
The following people thank Shamrock Womlbs for this post:
meanmistermustard"I Need You by George Harrison"
3.46am
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Thank you!!!!!!!!!
I know tunes not titles.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
3.48am
24 March 2014
Offline Ode to joy, here:
The following people thank Shamrock Womlbs for this post:
Von Bontee"I Need You by George Harrison"
4.35am
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline ^ Another one I was just listening to @Shamrock Womlbs 🙂
Thanks for the tips. I love Solti – his Mahler symphony cycle box set is near the top of my favourites list. I also kept his version of the 9th when I moved house even though I have 3 complete Beethoven symphony sets.
I somehow managed to forget mentioning Mahler is one of my favourite composers – I have all his song cycles as well; including some nice pieces by Kathleen Ferrier.
And @meanmistermustard see if you can find that 5CD Masterworks boxed set I mentioned in my original post at your library (or something similar) – it has lots of short pieces and excerpts you might recognise – then you can make a note of the name and see if you have the complete version in your Father’s collection.
==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
4.44am
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline “A huge collection you have!“
I may have forgotten to mention that’s just the new stuff 🙂
I also have the Brilliant complete Mozart box, the Karajan Ring cycle and around 120 other Classical CDs which survived the move. It’s a lot, but small compared to some collections I have seen – but plenty enough to keep me busy for years and pretty much all the space I can manage here at the new place.
==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
5.11am
27 March 2015
Offline trcanberra said
I’m really into CDs – fiddling with files and formats doesn’t appeal much to me – though I can see the advantages. Thanks for the comments and I look forward to hearing about any other works or composers you come across and like (or not).
Well, my midi tower doesn’t work anymore, so I can’t play any more CD’s on that. I do have a disc drive which I use to install software on my Mac, but I don’t play much music over its speakers because the sound card is naff. I mostly use an iPod or my phone to play music, so CD’s are obviously useless in my case. A proper audio installation is near the very top of my wish list though!
Like you, I don’t listen to Bach a lot. It’s a bit too intense for my taste. I do appreciate similar styles, though. I was a bit intimidated by Paul’s Ecce Cor Meum album at first, but it really is very good – even if it isn’t my favourite of his classical works
. I prefer some of his more light-hearted classical compositions, in which I can hear some Vivaldi/Grieg influences, which is nice.
Anyway, back on topic. Vivaldi is my favourite composer, followed my Mozart. I like Beethoven a lot as well. Most people would know his 5th Symphony best, I suppose. I really like some Grieg, with the obvious Morning Mood being my favourite. Tschakovski is great, although sometimes quite heavy. Then there’s Schubert, he’s got some great stuff, Handel (if you like Baroque), and so many more – including much less famous names.
Really great topic, this. Thank you, @trcanberra 
Edit: Yes, I know that version of Ave Maria. It is quite beautiful.
The following people thank Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^< for this post:
trcanberraFormerly Known As JPM-Fangirl -- 2016
'Out There' - 07-06-2015 - Ziggo Dome Amsterdam -- 'One On One' - 12-06-2016 - Pinkpop Festival Landgraaf
5.20am
27 March 2015
Offline meanmistermustard said
Cool. Was looking at my Father’s collection last night and there aare more CD’s than HMV yet no titles I recognise; there are plenty of sonatas and symphonies and whatnots by Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart etc yet no Ode To Joy.Any tips where to start. I really am idiotic when it comes to Classical music.
Something light, such as Vivaldi, could be a good place to start. Although much of Mozart’s work is very accessible as well. If there’s a ‘best of classical’ or something similar in there, just start there. Those are often a good way to get acquainted with different composers and different styles without having to listen to the entire symphony, concerto, et cetera.
Edit: Opera and gothic may not be the best place to start. Then again, it might…
Formerly Known As JPM-Fangirl -- 2016
'Out There' - 07-06-2015 - Ziggo Dome Amsterdam -- 'One On One' - 12-06-2016 - Pinkpop Festival Landgraaf
5.34am
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline I think I might have to avoid looking at boxed set sales on the net for a while – there really are some amazing bargains out there. Both the Berlin and Vienna Orchestras have 50+ CD Anniversary Editions available for around the $100 mark with some great-looking historical recordings. They really put the price of the 1+ boxes in context.
I’d better wait for my 100 CD set to arrive and add it to my catalogue so I know what I do and don’t have nowadays before venturing further.
==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
7.36pm
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline “I think I might have to avoid looking at boxed set sales on the net for a while – there really are some amazing bargains out there“
” then maybe venture more into baroque“
The first part is too true – and the second proved prophetic.
Amazon France sent me a 10 euro discount voucher AND had an amazing Sony boxed set of baroque music on sale. Add another 60 CDs to the incoming pile 🙂
==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
4.39pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline I listened to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony today (all four chorals) and enjoyed it. No idea where I will go next but its nice having something on I haven’t heard before. Does it matter which recording you listen to or is the equivalent of listening to either the 1999, 2003, 2009 or 2015 mix of ‘Paperback Writer ‘ ie its all the same damn song?
The following people thank meanmistermustard for this post:
trcanberra, Shamrock Womlbs"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
5.29pm
28 March 2014
Offline Here is a fav or mine, all great pieces. It’s a Georg Solti CD
1) Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30; Symphonic Poem (Start) – R.Strauss
2) The Ride of the Valkyries (from “Die Walküre”) – Wagner
3) Marche Hongroise (from ” La Damnation de Faust”) – Berloiz
4) Carmen, Prelude to Act 1 – Bizet
5) Carmen, Entr’acte to Act 4 (Aragonaise) – Bizet
6) The Planets: ‘Jupiter’, Op. 32 – Holst
7) Pomp and Circumstance March, Op. 39, No. 1 Edward Elgar
8) The Hut on Fowls’ Legs (Baba-Yaga) / The Great Gate of Kiev – Mussorgsky
And of course Beethoven
1) 5 th Symphony (We all know this one)
2) Für Elise
3) 2nd Symphony
4) 7 th symphony
5) 9 th Symphony
Some day I’ll try to sit down and listen to that Paul McCartney fella’s Classical music.
The following people thank Bongo for this post:
trcanberra, meanmistermustard 
BEATLES Music gives me Eargasms! 
10.46pm
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline meanmistermustard said
I listened to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony today (all four chorals) and enjoyed it. No idea where I will go next but its nice having something on I haven’t heard before. Does it matter which recording you listen to or is the equivalent of listening to either the 1999, 2003, 2009 or 2015 mix of ‘Paperback Writer ‘ ie its all the same damn song?
Personally I would bounce around in the collection for a while and see what I do or don’t like. If you are systematic you could, for example, listen to all of the Beethoven symphonies in order to hear him develop as a composer – but it’s not essential. There are some really nice works in those 9 (and the beginning of the unfinished 10th which is also now available on CD).
I agree with the “something I haven’t heard before” part – so much to explore. I’m still listening to my favourite artists but the classical is a really interesting alternative.
You might find it worthwhile borrowing a music dictionary from the library so you can look up composers and terms like those mysterious ‘molto allegro’ thingies.
[EDIT] Drat, I lost it in the move – I once had a great book which was a brilliant introduction to listening to classical music. It gave suggestions for starting out and then a page or two on each piece of music to read along with as you listened which explained the structure and what the composer was trying to achieve. Works like symphonies usually have some sort of established shape to them (which composers are often varying for effect).
Most symphonies have 4 parts (or movements) – usually fast / slow / a fast dance rhythm / fast or steady. Within a movement they might have a theme, a second theme, a variation of the first theme, a third theme and so on. It can help when listening to know a little about this to better appreciate what the composer is doing. Of course, you can just ignore all that and enjoy the music 🙂
Anyway, once again, the local library might have a suitable book to accompany your exploration.
The following people thank trcanberra for this post:
meanmistermustard, Von Bontee==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
10.47pm
Reviewers
29 August 2013
Offline “Here is a fav or mine, all great pieces. It’s a Georg Solti CD …“
Thanks – some really nice music to watch out for in that list.
The following people thank trcanberra for this post:
Bongo==> trcanberra and hongkonglady - Together even when not (married for those not in the know!) <==
1.27am
27 March 2015
Offline meanmistermustard said
Does it matter which recording you listen to or is the equivalent of listening to either the 1999, 2003, 2009 or 2015 mix of ‘Paperback Writer ‘ ie its all the same damn song?
In essence, it’ll be much the same. Most – if not all – composers do more than just write the music; they also leave instructions on how to play (e.g. sotto voce, allegro, staccato), as well as of course the obvious such as meter and key.
However, if you were to compare different recordings of the same piece, you will most definitely hear differences. Solos are particularly known for being played differently, and some classical music buffs can identify their favourite violinist/pianist/flutist/whatnot simply by listening to a solo. So, not much difference between them and avid fans of modern music, who can hear a random guitar-, bass- or drumpart and tell you who’s playing.
The following people thank Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^< for this post:
trcanberraFormerly Known As JPM-Fangirl -- 2016
'Out There' - 07-06-2015 - Ziggo Dome Amsterdam -- 'One On One' - 12-06-2016 - Pinkpop Festival Landgraaf
