What classical music should I start listening to?
Storman Norman asked:
I really find classical music as the most soothing and beautiful music out there. I like Baroque music in particular, especially pieces like Pachelbel’s Canon in D minor and Bach’s Air for strings. I guess I also have a thing for string pieces, like Andre Rieu. If you have any suggestions as to good composers, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
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I really find classical music as the most soothing and beautiful music out there. I like Baroque music in particular, especially pieces like Pachelbel’s Canon in D minor and Bach’s Air for strings. I guess I also have a thing for string pieces, like Andre Rieu. If you have any suggestions as to good composers, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.
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January 24th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
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handel, bach, purcell, pergolesi, telemann
go to the library, get some cd’s, figure out what you like, get more cd’s
January 27th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
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OOOooo I love this question, wish I could ask somebody 15 years ago. Ok, the finest classical label is Deutche Grammophon. Recently they issued 56 CDs in a box, and later on they issued 55 CDs in another box to celebrate 111 years of the company. What these 111 CDs represent is GREAT music, not only great, but the best of the best classical company. Maybe not exactly, but very close!
By the way, you will find two different versions of the Canon in each box. The first one has unbelievable Canon, trust I listened to as many Canon’s versions as I could. This one is the best.
The space saving that they render is mostly appreciated. Those 2 boxes are truly a dream came true!!
Now these CDs could be pricy, but this is a lifetime mini-library that you can enjoy for decades. I assure you that the selection is superb of these CDs. DG chose it’s best CDs and improved the sound’s quality. Since you’re buying them in “bulk”, the price is of course much less than buying them separately. Since you’re starting with classical music, this is a good start. The second box is available. You may get the first box only in digital format or otherwise it could be expensive. Here are their links to amazon:
January 27th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
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Start out with more well known composers to see who you like best, and look for composers in that period. I’m personally prefer Romantic-Modern music over most Classical, though I do like Beethoven and Bach.
Baroque:
Bach
Handel
Vivaldi
Scarlatti
Classical:
Mozart
Haydn
Clementi
Beethoven
Romantic:
Chopin
Liszt
Schumann
Berlioz
Rimsky-Korsakov
Rachmaninov
Modern:
Mahler
Debussy
Ravel
Prokofiev
Scriabin
January 28th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
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Prokofiev, Scriabin, Webern, Schoenberg
January 31st, 2012 at 3:05 pm
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I’m not a huge fan of Baroque. I’m probably going to end up trying to convert you, but I’ll try.
Here are some composers to look up.
Baroque Composers
Very classy. Very refined. It’s all about technique.
J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Telemann, Handel, Purcell, Scarlatti, Couperin, Corelli, Pachelbel
Blah. I don’t know very many.
Classical Composers
These guys are learning to chill. Still very refined, but more open to emotion.
Haydn, Mozart, C.P.E. Bach, Clementi, Schubert, Beethoven
Hurghh I don’t know very many of these, either. I’m such a teenager.
Romantic Composers
More lovely. More… musical. More emotional.
Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Bruckner, Strauss, Brahms (aaahh!!), Grieg, Sibelius, Vaughan Williams, Rachmaninov
Contemporary
These guys are kind of weird. But people love them. I am one of those people.
Debussy, Prokofiev, Scriabin, Ravel, Poulenc (early 20th century)
Kapustin, John Adams, Steve Reich, David Lang (now)
Here are my favorite pieces at the moment.
Brahms: Symphony 4-1
FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS GUY. You don’t have an option.
Prokofiev: Symphony 5-3
Prokofiev is very scary. In a beautiful way.
Poulenc: Improvisation 15
Eeee this puts something tangible in my chest, and it stays with me. Lalalalala.
Faure: Barcarolle 9
The least loved of Faure’s Barcarolles… le sigh. This is gorgeous.
Debussy: Prelude 5 Book 1
You’re falling, and then you’re flying. Stunning.
Satie: Trois Morceaux en forme de poire
Powerful and bold and quiet and sad.
The rest of the suite is on this girl’s channel.
Adams: Grand Pianola Music, Part II – On the Dominant Divide
My current obsession. Join my cult.
Oh, jeez. It’s always so exciting, recommending pieces to someone. I’m a nerd.
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:14 am
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i like Prokofiev, Scriabin,maybe you will like them .
February 5th, 2012 at 6:54 am
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Bach’s Violin Concertos, Brahms Violin Concertos, Korngold’s Violin Concertos,Grieg’s Violin Concerto’s.I agree with the poster that said Deutche Grammophon is a great label. Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky is good. I like anything that is by these two. Robert Wagner. Faure, Camile Saint Saens. Sarasate, Scharwenka, Shostakovich, Weber. There are many others of course.
February 7th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
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You have a wonderful voyage of discovery ahead of you – especially of you adventure beyond trite, simplistic pieces such as the Canon in D. These three books (all available cheaply on Amazon) will guide you as to where to start.
1) ‘The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection’ by Ted Libbey. It has good info on the 350 most renowned classical works.
2) ‘The Rough Guide to Classical Music’ (various contributors)
3) ‘Classical Music for Dummies’ by David Pogue and Scott Speck