[gertrude]

I can't seem to find a thread on classical music on here.
I'm not very knowledgeable and would like to learn more. There are lots of pieces of classical music that I love, but never seem to know the name of the piece

Are there any kind souls out there that can enlighten me please? Nothing too heavy please

[MissMusique]

There's been classical music threads in the past, not sure why they're not coming up?

What sort do you like to listen to? Classical is my profession so I might be able to help you and point you in the direction of some more pieces. always nice to have more people to talk to about it on here!

[Waldstein]

Definitely nice to have a classical thread. As MissMusique mentioned, it would help to know if there's a specific type that you listen to as the genre is so broad. The great thing about Classical music is that there's always something new to find.

In my opinion, the Romantic composers (especially the piano ones) are easy ones to start with but it might not be your cup of tea at all. Here a few examples. Hopefully, I'm on the right track.

Chopin's 'Raindrop Prelude' is quite a famous piece (played here by Horowitz): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_6APTb3RNQ

Liszt 'Liebestraum':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW_MA...eature=related

Another very famous piece. Tchaikovsky 'Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2jKeYuPvjM

[gertrude]

Thanks for your Youtubes links Waldstein

I do recognise and like Chopin's "Raindrop Prelude" and Rachmaninoff's piano concerto no.2. and I've spun off from your links to listen to a few other pieces. Tchaikousky's Sleeping Beauty waltz is lovely, and I recognise it from when I saw Matthew Bourne's "Swan Lake" all-male ballet (wonderful) and of course, Swan Lake the music itself.

Thanks also MissMusique Blue Danube type music is what I don't like. I do LOVE the music from West Side Story (bernstein) and could listen and watch the film over and over.

There's some other music - something to do with the animals?

Are there any albums available that could be recommended, with various music from an assortment of different artists? Maybe this is the way..........

[afcbfan]

Try this Spotify playlist: http://open.spotify.com/user/gareth8...wQ3TAEgKRMQPh0

84 pieces of popular classical music. Nothing too highbrow.

[swingaleg]

Originally Posted by gertrude

There's some other music - something to do with the animals?

There's a famous piece by Saint-Saens ;'Carnival of the Animals'

it's a collection of 14 pieces...........for different animals

Here's a famous bit that you'll probably recognise......'The Swan'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b44-5M4e9nI&feature=fvst

[LiverpoolFCGirl]

Originally Posted by afcbfan

Try this Spotify playlist: http://open.spotify.com/user/gareth8...wQ3TAEgKRMQPh0

84 pieces of popular classical music. Nothing too highbrow.

Thanks for that link.

There's some very enjoyable pieces on there.

[gertrude]

Originally Posted by afcbfan

Try this Spotify playlist: http://open.spotify.com/user/gareth8...wQ3TAEgKRMQPh0

84 pieces of popular classical music. Nothing too highbrow.

Thanks for the link, but I don't have Spotify

[gertrude]

Originally Posted by swingaleg

There's a famous piece by Saint-Saens ;'Carnival of the Animals'

it's a collection of 14 pieces...........for different animals

Here's a famous bit that you'll probably recognise......'The Swan'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b44-5M4e9nI&feature=fvst

Yes, that's it, The Carnival of the Animals - thanks

[ohglobbits]

Originally Posted by Waldstein

Definitely nice to have a classical thread. As MissMusique mentioned, it would help to know if there's a specific type that you listen to as the genre is so broad. The great thing about Classical music is that there's always something new to find.

I agree with the second part, they're tonnes of composers many of whom were more successful than the Greats who've been forgotten. As for the 1st part imo Beethoven covered all the bases. Some of his later work (like his last violin sonatas) is as chromatic as anything produced in the 20th century...my favourite from him though is his violin concerto particularily the slow movement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4DDtcKZOo0

[gertrude]

Thanks Ohglobbits for your recomendation - very enjoyable

I've been listening to Classic FM, which seems quite a good programme for a beginner

I think I've always had leanings towards classical music, and I've enjoyed (mostly) my few trips to Glyndeborne.

It would be wonderful if all parents let their children get a taste of and hear classical music as well as pop, whilst growing up. There's so much out there, and I will never be able to catch up.

[Inkblot]

Admittedly this is an advert but if you haven't seen it before it is very effective in the way it demonstrates how a piece of classical music can capture an audience's attention:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBaHPND2QJg

[Gneiss]

There was quite a long Classical Music thread a while back, but I couldn't find it either when I searched for it..

Originally Posted by gertrude

I've been listening to Classic FM, which seems quite a good programme for a beginner

I listen to that in the car as it's quite "light" and so IMO ideal for when driving.

My real grip with them is the Opera, or more to the point lack of. OK they play some of the overtures, intermezzo etc etc ANYTHING but the arias and it absolutely drives me mad. "Next something from Carmen" they'll announce, and you can grantee it will be the bloody overture... Actually Carmen is probably a bad example as it's just as likely the be the ghastly Toreador song, when there are so many beautiful arias to choose from. I think for me the ultimate insult has to be a trumpet version of Casta Diva - Just WHY?

Anyway, getting back on topic I prefer my classical music to be accompanied by the human voice - Casta Diva http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYl8GRJGnBY

[ohglobbits]

They played Beethoven's beautiful aria Ah Perfido in yesterday's full works concert

[Gneiss]

Originally Posted by ohglobbits

They played Beethoven's beautiful aria Ah Perfido in yesterday's full works concert

I'm only surprised they didn't find a rearrangement for triangle and maracas or something

[lee_w]

Originally Posted by Gneiss

I'm only surprised they didn't find a rearrangement for triangle and maracas or something

After Melanie C's success in blood brothers she is to star as Mary Magdalen in Jesus Christ Superstar And Melanie is to also release an album of favourite musical tunes entitled STAGES released in September

[swingaleg]

Originally Posted by Inkblot

Admittedly this is an advert but if you haven't seen it before it is very effective in the way it demonstrates how a piece of classical music can capture an audience's attention:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBaHPND2QJg

thanks for posting that...........it's fantastic !

I just stuck 'classical flash mob' into youtube and there's quite a lot on there...........

Here, for example, is 'Peer Gynt' on a train............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gww9_S4PNV0

[Inkblot]

Ravel's Bolero at Copenhagen Central Station is nice, too. The orchestra members appear to have been recruited either from boy bands or Danish TV crime dramas.

[StarSupernova]

This is a favourite of mine.

Edvard Grieg's Solveig's Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2Adi2iFRM

[degsyhufc]

Some of my faves
Antonio Lauro - Venezuelan Waltzes for Guitar (David Russell)
Albéniz: Echoes of Spain (John Williams)
Chopin: Nocturnes and Ballades (Vladimir Ashkenazy)

[gertrude]

I've just seen this on the Flashmob thread, and I absolutely love it - the piece of music actually brought tears to my eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbJcQYVtZMo

[MissMusique]

Went to the Prom of Peter Grimes on Friday which was amazing - brilliant cast and superb playing from the ENO.
The programme is very exciting this year and I'm hoping to go to more this week - why with bein Phil, Gewandhaus and Vienna Phil being in town.

[gertrude]

Originally Posted by StarSupernova

This is a favourite of mine.

Edvard Grieg's Solveig's Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii2Adi2iFRM

I really enjoyed listening to that - thankyou

[Gneiss]

The overture from my favourite opera, just a fantastic piece of music...

Verdi - La Traviata - Overture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEzEa_LUy84

And one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written...

Mozart: Clarinet Concerto: II. Adagio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxgmorK61YQ

[m06een00]

Greatest "Swan" musical composition (IMO).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfBTiv3WGU0