Classical Music - Any Way In?
Posted by: Bodger on 11 November 2015
I had a reply from another recent thread suggesting classical music would be good listening and a meaningful step into a different listening pleasure. I have to admit I know nothing of this genre but like most, have been exposed to it inadvertently from film scores to beans adverts. I find the whole canon of work quite daunting. I know for most this will be a matter of personal taste, so wide is the choice. However, what I would like to hear is some simple suggestions for an “easy in” from folks in the know. I appreciate this is a tad tricky but it should be fun for those aficionados out there. Let’s try to avoid squabbling over “A” conducted by “B” and recorded at “C”. I really have no idea where to start and will be open minded about any suggestions.
Cheers
Dave
The early peak in concertos is not really arguable. It is Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos.
And not only are music of the greatest type, but they immediately attractive!
I’ll find a youtube to see if they are up your street!
ATB from George
Try this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCPM8DEsvmc
The orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment on Virgin.
An excellent modern recording.
ATB from George
That's a very difficult question to answer - consider the other way round: Jazz, blues, folk, country, metal, prog rock, pop, and then different styles within those, some of which any one individual will love, and others simply not get at all or simply loathe.
I think your best bet is to find places that you can hear classical music in the flesh.
Find venues that offer a wide choice of performances from differing orchestras, from large to 2 or 3 piece.
Getting your ear in to the 'Absolute Sound' and also how your perception differs to where you are relative to the "stage" will pay dividends.
What a great topic this is. Like Dave I too would like to get into classical but don't know where to start. I have tried in the past and started at the wrong place an gave up when I should have persisted.
I had a listen to the Brandeberg Concertos after a quick search on Tidal and quite liked the first track but the recording of this particular orchestra was so so (I think it was the Vienna Orchestra). So I hunted down the Age of Enlightenment's performance performance and wow, it really is superb. Immediately brought a smile to my face. Thanks for the pointer George.
The only reason I am posting this is that this foray into classical music has shown me that one performance of the same piece of work by one orchestra is very different to another performance of the same piece by another orchestra. So much so that you that if you don't hear the 'right' performance it could put you off. So, like Dave, I would like to keep things simple and 'not squabble over A conducted by B and recorded at C', but some pointers over the oft recorded pieces of work I think are helpful.
I really hope this thread keeps going. Does anyone have any recommendations for string quartet performances maybe starting with some of the more 'accessible' pieces.
Start to listen to some;
beethoven symphony 5, especially the second part.
Beethoven symphony 3 and 7.
Mozart "eine kleine nachtmusic" also i like the second part. Most symphony are in 4 parts.
Mozart violin concerto 1 and 5.
Mozart piano concerto 20 and 21.
What a great topic this is. Like Dave I too would like to get into classical but don't know where to start. I have tried in the past and started at the wrong place an gave up when I should have persisted.
I had a listen to the Brandeberg Concertos after a quick search on Tidal and quite liked the first track but the recording of this particular orchestra was so so (I think it was the Vienna Orchestra). So I hunted down the Age of Enlightenment's performance performance and wow, it really is superb. Immediately brought a smile to my face. Thanks for the pointer George.
The only reason I am posting this is that this foray into classical music has shown me that one performance of the same piece of work by one orchestra is very different to another performance of the same piece by another orchestra. So much so that you that if you don't hear the 'right' performance it could put you off. So, like Dave, I would like to keep things simple and 'not squabble over A conducted by B and recorded at C', but some pointers over the oft recorded pieces of work I think are helpful.
I really hope this thread keeps going. Does anyone have any recommendations for string quartet performances maybe starting with some of the more 'accessible' pieces.
Haydn Quartets Opus 77 One and Two. [a short opus as normally quartets come in sets of six, but Haydn was old] on one CD from Astree, played by the Quatour Mosaiques. Good modern recording and absolutely top notch performances of two sublime Haydn String Quartets.
ATB from George
PS: Try this. Not the Mosaiques’ recording, but wonderful music of the type in a rather nice performance.
If you are into electronic music or the avantgarde / ambient contemporary music it might be worth trying to sample works from the likes of Stravinsky, Honegger, Debussy, Ligeti, Bartok, Stockhausen etc.
George, Before I got your reply I stumbled on some Haydn string quartet pieces and I am really enjoying them. I will of corse track down the particular performances you refer to above as I have already learnt the importance of seeking out the best.
Many thanks.
You could try some excellent books by Antony Hopkins available used from an online bookstore. Particularly recommend Pathway to Music, and Talking about Music .
How about a live orchestral concert? Budapest Festival Orchestra, is going to Athens this W/E.
Try this, it's accessible and brilliant. The quartet includes Alina Ibraginova, who is one of the best violinists around today. The playing is wonderfully direct, without vibrato (where players do the largely unnecessary wobbly thing with their hand, which often gets in the way but for some weird reason neatly everyone insists on doing it).
George, Before I got your reply I stumbled on some Haydn string quartet pieces and I am really enjoying them. I will of corse track down the particular performances you refer to above as I have already learnt the importance of seeking out the best.
Many thanks.
Just bear in mind that one persons view of best is not necessarily the same as another's. (No slight on George here, and the comment is not a reference to this particular recommendation)
There are other great performances of the Opus 77 pair from such as the Tatraii Quartet [on Hungaraton] and the Pro Arte [1930s HMV on Testament] which performances I have, as well as the seminal performances from such as the Amadeus on DG which currently I do not have, but after forty years of acquaintance, it would be the Mosaiques’ performance - in my humble experience - that would be a real hit for the new-comer, or even the old git - somewhat like I am am ...
Sometimes the new is even better than the old, though the Pro Arte have something very special as well, but that would involve a VERY expensive stating point for Haydn Quartets. Definitely a further investigation rather than a starting point. not least because they sound as if recorded down a primitive telephone line[!], but there is a reason the Pro Arte Haydn recordings are still available. I got mine quite inexpensively through contacts ...
Best wishes from George
How about a live orchestral concert? Budapest Festival Orchestra, is going to Athens this W/E.
Klyde,
great spot and would have worked for me but I shall be working in Amman this weekend. Bad timing. Otherwise....
Thanks
Dave
This is an 8 CD (originally 4 different double CD sets released over several years) that is a great way into the music. It will help you align with styles, composers and genre's within the classical realm to explore more. I'm sure you'll recognize some of it, its a Classical 'Greatest Hits' if you will and won't break the bank.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classi...classical+experience
A personal favourite of mine as a standalone album is Holst's - The Planets.
What a post! I'm just going to list some works for you:
Bach: Keyboard Partitas (Piano or harpsichord). Better on piano
Beethoven: Violin Concerto Op 61
Sibelius: Symphonies 2 & 5. And some tone poems: En Saga, Finlandia, Swan of Tuonela, and also his Violin Concerto
Rachmaninov: Preludes for piano. And also his 2nd piano concerto
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Ballet (not the highlights, the whole thing), Symphony No 4.
That should fill a couple of weekends. Then come back for more. You're lucky to have all this ahead of you. Started listening to classical when I was 13 and 40 years later still discovering with amazement.
Don't buy compilation box sets. They'll confuse your tastebuds.
Don't buy compilation box sets. They'll confuse your tastebuds.
I disagree some of these boxes are the biggest gifts on the market.
Bodger,
Welcome to the world of classical music. You have embarked on a wonderful voyage of discovery!
I hesitate to make any specific recommendations because there is such a wealth of great music in the classical repertoire but some of the piano concertos are amongst my favourites. Try for example Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4, Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 and Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2.
Do you have a streamer or other access to Internet radio? If so, some of the classical music stations provide a good way to discover new music. I have listened to BBC Radio 3 for many years and have found it to be very educational, although I don't know if you can get it outside the UK. Classic FM is great for sampling much of the more popular stuff.
Get along to some live concerts if you can; it's a wondeful experience.
Enjoy the journey!
ATB, David
Don't buy compilation box sets. They'll confuse your tastebuds.
I disagree some of these boxes are the biggest gifts on the market.
I have many and they are bargains but I knew what I was buying. I'm not sure if the Classic FM family favourites wallpaper music sort of thing is the way to go though. When I started, I borrowed LPs from the library.
Stravinsky was the entry point into classical music for me; I was at a party when amongst the usual Hendrix & Santana (this was 1971 & I was 16) someone put The Rite of Spring on. I had not heard anything like it before & classical music went from being something slightly dusty & boring to being wildly exciting. I have been hooked ever since.
As some have said, I would try and get to some concerts & get the books that have been recommended, but also there is obviously a lot of info on the net, try the BBC ‘Discovering Great Composers’
Me also; now there is Spotify etc, things are a lot easier with a far bigger selection on offer.
I used the Penguin Guide, when I started with Classical.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...rded_Classical_Music
CD's are pretty cheap now - I did it on LP's when they were cheap....!
Stravinsky (The Rite and The Firebird), Dvorak (New World), Mozart (Clarinet concerto), Vivaldi (4 Seasons), Holst (Planets), Vaughn-Williams (Lark Ascending).