Introduce me to classical music

blownsi

blownsi

Super Member
I always say that I enjoy all forms of music but I really don't know that much about classical and would like to learn.

If I was to purchase 5 cd/vinyl's what should I get??


I used to date a girl into Wagner so I know some of his work and of course Beethoven's 5th etc.
 
Register to hide this ad
It's tough to pick only 5. Do you like symphonies or smaller ensembles like chamber music? Violins, woodwinds or pianos? Music that rips or softer more melodic stuff?

Off the top of my head here's a few that will give you a taste.

1. Beethoven Symphonies - find a cheap boxset of all of them
2. Bach - Brandenburg Concertos
3. Vivaldi - The Four Seasons
4. Rimsky-Korsakov - Sheherazade
5. Holst - The Planets
6. Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition

Yeah, I know that's six, but I really like Mussorgsky...

The best way to find out what type of classical you like is to hit the thrifts for vinyl. I can rarely find a rock album there but I routinely walk away with 5-15 great condition classical records.
 
Good suggestions. Stravinsky - Rite of Spring, or really any of the ballets - is another good starter choice. If you haven't already joined, take a look at yourmusic.com - lots of good classical music for good prices.
 
Try giving Saite or Vivaldi a spin. When I got into classical which was 2 summers ago my friend turned me on to Saite and I have expanded from there.
 
:scratch2: Is there a classical FM station near where you live?
They usually tell you the name/composer of pieces being played.
Great way to get you started.

I'll add 5 more + 1

1. Tchaikovsky - Symphony 4,5,or 6 - any one
2. Dvorak - Symphony No 9. "From the New World"
3. Ravel - Bolero
4. Mozart - Symphony 29 thru 41 - any one
5. Prokofiev - Symphony No. 5
6. Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue/American in Paris (I like Bernstein)

Go easy and slow.
Don't write anything off just because it did not appeal to you the first time you heard it.
Enjoy. :thmbsp:
 
Ravel - anything but 'The Bolero'. Daphnis et Chloe is magnificent.

Mozart - Symphonies 38 to 41. It was a happy time in his live.

Debussy - The Engulfed Cathedral or, in french, La cathédrale engloutie. Plus, pretty much anything else he did. Heck of a guy.

Dvorák - "New World" I guess. The guy was like Mozart, wrote bunches and bunches of Symphonies.

Satie- pretty much anything.
 
cfranz said:
Ravel - anything but 'The Bolero'. Daphnis et Chloe is magnificent.

Mozart - Symphonies 38 to 41. It was a happy time in his live.

Debussy - The Engulfed Cathedral or, in french, La cathédrale engloutie. Plus, pretty much anything else he did. Heck of a guy.

Dvorák - "New World" I guess. The guy was like Mozart, wrote bunches and bunches of Symphonies.

Satie- pretty much anything.
Click to expand...

To the best of my knowledge Dvorak wrote just 9 symphonies! Do pass on any
if you've got 'em hidden away!
 
Maybe it just seems like Dvorak wrote more because every thrift I've ever been in has a copy of "New World". All of them have a different cover as well...
 
blownsi said:
I own it and love it.
Click to expand...

There you go. It's a great survey of classical music.

You'll know from that if you like Beethoven symphonies, J.S. Bach (well, you'll have hint due to that overwrought transcription), and lots of other good stuff. Figure out what you like on Fantasia, then go down to the Sally or Good Willy's and buy some discs.

Use Classical records are usually: A) Cheaper than other used records, and; B) In better condition.
 
I would suggest, whatever you pick, listen to great performances in at least decent sound.

This does make a big difference.
 
If you luck up on a set of CD's or LP's of Wagner's Ring Cycle, buy it if the price is right. Yes, it's opera. And, no, I'm not real fond of opera, but there are some stunning orchestral pieces contained in it, especially Gotterdammerung. Siegfried's Funeral Music makes the hair stand up on my arms. Whole thing is around 15 hours or so.
 
I just picked up a copy of the 5 Browns on cd. It was on special at Borders for $10 and has quite an assortment of classical music. Little bit of everything..
 
Don't Lowball Too Much

Someone suggested picking up a cheap set of Beethoven's symphonies. That's kind of like suggesting somebody listen to a no name bar band's rendition of the Beatles to get to know Beatle music. I've heard some of those Laserlight specials. The temptation is to buy a CD for a couple of bucks when you're not sure you'll like the particular type of classical music. Resist the urge. You may think you hate the music, when you actually hate a butchered rendition of it.

Also keep in mind that the term "classical" music is misused in the opinion of purists. The "classical" period originally referred to the time period from J.S. Bach to Beethoven. The suggestions offered so far cover from baroque through classical to romantic and modern. . Sorry for the mini rant. It was caused by my younger son, who has two Masters degrees in music from Peabody Conservatory (part of Johns Hopkins). He gets a little touchy about nomenclature.

Doug
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom