Classical Music Thread

[The Succubus]

Howdy,

Over the past few weeks I've been picking up odds and ends of classical music on my iPod - currently have:

* Holst - The Planets
* Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata
* A couple of nameless piano pieces from an obscure game

Anyone else listen to classical music? Any recommendations?

[Nameless]

Oh, yes. I love Antonio Vivaldi, especially his Four Seasons. Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N00XKtROddc) being the highlight for me, not just from Summer, but from all the Four Seasons. Beethoven and Bach are also awesome. I also like some of the more contemporary stuff, such as Lux Aeterna (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKLpJtvzlEI).

[Cyrion]

I'm a big fan of Haydn and Bruckner. Haydn's from the classical period, along the lines of, say, Mozart. Bruckner's a bit heavier, more along the lines of Holst or Mahler.

[Vaynor]

I really enjoy Jacques Offenbach and Rossini. George Gershwin isn't really classical but he's definitely still worth a listen.

[PairO'Dice Lost]

I listen to classical music almost exclusively, so yes, I've got plenty of suggestions. To start with, Beethoven's Pathetique sonata is a good one if you liked the Moonlight sonata; I'd also recommend Rachmaninov's piano concerto #3 and the overture to Rossini's Italian Girl in Algiers. To counterbalance all the minor-key pieces, Mozart's Jupiter symphony is quite good, as are the Emperor Waltz and Roses of the South by Strauss (and pretty much all of his other waltzes). If you have any other songs you've enjoyed and possibly some you haven't, post them I can get more tailored (and obscure :smallwink:) in my recommendations.

[factotum]

"Danse Macabre" by Camille Saint-Saens is one of my favourites.

[Mad Mask]

I would recommend Edvard Grieg, who composed for the Peer Gynt suit, including the famous Morning Mood (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bihp6gwTdeg&feature=fvst) and In the Hall of the Mountain King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrIYT-MrVaI). Anitra's Dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4mdTgI02cg) is less popular, but it's just as good. You might also want to check out his Piano Concerto.

If you like operas, Richard Wagner's pieces are a must have. Ride of the Valkyries (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AlEvy0fJto) is well known, as is the Flying Dutchman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqezCR_XzaI).

I'm not really a fan of his other works, but I recommend all of Haydn's string quartets. The one nicknamed "Emperor" is a good starting point (it was adapted as the Deustchlandlied for a reason :smalltongue:).

All of the above is on the iTunes store, too.


Oh, yes. I love Antonio Vivaldi, especially his Four Seasons. Storm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N00XKtROddc) being the highlight for me, not just from Summer, but from all the Four Seasons. Beethoven and Bach are also awesome. I also like some of the more contemporary stuff, such as Lux Aeterna (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKLpJtvzlEI).

I'd have to second Vivaldi's Four Seasons. I'm generally not a fan of Baroque music, but his music is so full of texture and emotion that I'd have to put him as one of my all-time favourite composers.

[ExtravagantEvil]

I personally reccomend Bach and Mozart, I've liked all the pieces I've heard of theirs', but thats My opinion.

Here's a list of Bach/Mozart you might enjoy (I know I have):

Toccata and Fugue in D minor (Bach): Sinister, powerful, and just gets the blood pumping if you want to feel like an all powerful villain.

Symphony 25 in g minor (Mozart): Opening to Amadeus and I find it enjoyable, as I stated with the others, it's powerful.

Bach's Cello suite #1: It has a sophisticated beauty of its own, and is calming and good to settle down after the power of the 2 above.

Bach's Little Fugue: Simple, not sinister as much, but still carries the mastery of counter point

Mozart's Requiem: Powerful, and starts out in a way that makes one mildly depressed, but then rises into a powerful choral section. A true Magnum Opus, and reccommeded.

This one deviates from the list, but also look into "Night on Bald Mountain" by Musskorgy(?), same level of enthralling dark power

Also, to find good Classical music check out "smalin" on youtube as well.

[Moff Chumley]

Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky, and everything by Stravinsky. Thank me later. :smalltongue:

Also, on the modern side of things, Steve Reich and Terry Riley.

[Mauve Shirt]

George Gershwin, Erik Satie, and Beethoven are my favorite composers.

[Dienekes]

A lot of great ones already, going to second Mussorgsky especially Pictures at a Museum and Night on Bald Mountain

[Danne]

Pachabel's Canon has always been one of my favorites. Soft and sweet. If you've any interest in pipe organ music, Bach's Toccata and Fugue in d minor is pretty epic.

[Cyrano]

Anyone Russian, who is also Romantic, is good.
So that's not an original thought, sue me.

Tchaikovsky is the obvious composer, everyone knows and loves him. As famous as they are, I don't think Swan Lake/Nutcracker is the best of his. I do love me his symphonies though.

Mussorgsky been mentioned. He's awesome.

Borodin? SUPER awesome. Didn't put out a lot of stuff but it's great. Symphonies and the stuff from his Prince Igor opera.

Dvorak. Everything. I love Dvorak.

On the note of Czech composers, Smetana.

I'm tired now so maybe there'll be more later. Also I apologize for the lack of links but I don't really know anything to link to for a decent-quality full-length piece.

[Moff Chumley]

Ooh, forgot Dvorak... New World Symphony, 4th movement, anyone? :smallcool:

[_Zoot_]

Ooh, forgot Dvorak... New World Symphony, 4th movement, anyone? :smallcool:

Yep, I'll second that! *High Five*

Also, some of my particular favourites are:

Holst - The Planets
Handel (Especially Music for the Royal Fireworks and Water Music)

...

And Rule, Britannia!

[hamishspence]

I found the melody in the Fantasia version of Dance of the Hours:

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

very catchy, and have been known to hum it every now and then.

[Nameless]

I'd have to second Vivaldi's Four Seasons. I'm generally not a fan of Baroque music, but his music is so full of texture and emotion that I'd have to put him as one of my all-time favourite composers.

Aye, He's one of my favourites too. His music has so many beautiful layers.


I personally reccomend Bach

Bach is the most badass and brutal of the composers.