It's interesting that I have listened and played Classical music for years and yet the most "approachable" Classical is the excellent movie soundtracks that are out there, as Chadnliz said. My recommendations are the Star Wars, esp. the first, Lord of the Rings, and many others. Public Radio aften has programs of music scores and they are fun and educational. I recommend that listeners audition some CDs at their local stores to find what they like and take it home.
Classical music - starting points
Various posts in a number of threads, most recently "Audiophiles who refuse to listen to classical" suggest there are a number of people who are looking to find a way to get into classical music. I thought it might be worthwhile if some of us who have found a way, even stumbled into one perhaps, could give some advice. If possible we might try to recall what first hooked us on classical music, identify the piece and, if relevant the performance, and describe what grabbed our attention.
I hope that others will use this as a guide to pick an approach which fits their musical tastes.
I'll start with three critical pieces for me.
Beethoven's 7th Symphony, Second Movement, Bruno Walter conductor. This was 11th grade, and quite simply the first time I was ever moved by a piece of classical music. I was caught up in the force, the drama, the inevitability of the music.
Mozart Symphony 35, George Szell conductor. I think this was as a sophomore in college. The sheer energy, the exuberance and speed of the piece had me putting it on repeat in a manner previously reserved for the Beatles.
Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition, Fritz Reiner conductor (my current favorite version). The color and shattering power of the orchestra. I bought into CDs early and for a while my favorite track was The Great Gate at Kiev, the last portion of Pictures, from a demo disk that came with my player. I'm surprised I wasn't thrown out of my apartment.
While my tastes have broadened since then, each of these three works still remains a favorite.
I hope that others will use this as a guide to pick an approach which fits their musical tastes.
I'll start with three critical pieces for me.
Beethoven's 7th Symphony, Second Movement, Bruno Walter conductor. This was 11th grade, and quite simply the first time I was ever moved by a piece of classical music. I was caught up in the force, the drama, the inevitability of the music.
Mozart Symphony 35, George Szell conductor. I think this was as a sophomore in college. The sheer energy, the exuberance and speed of the piece had me putting it on repeat in a manner previously reserved for the Beatles.
Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition, Fritz Reiner conductor (my current favorite version). The color and shattering power of the orchestra. I bought into CDs early and for a while my favorite track was The Great Gate at Kiev, the last portion of Pictures, from a demo disk that came with my player. I'm surprised I wasn't thrown out of my apartment.
While my tastes have broadened since then, each of these three works still remains a favorite.
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For someone new to classical music who is serious about getting some exposure to what is available from the different composers which would in turn give them some guidance in what music to move on to, I don't think you can beat the purchase of some compulation discs which feature composers from the different eras and which will typically include some of the composers most assessible and popular pieces. There are discs for solo piano works, chamber works, overtures, short symphonies, tone poems, and some short symphonies. Listening to these records/CD's will quickly help identify the starting point for a newcomer. These recordings are abundant and cheap. Highly recommended. For folks who would want some very dramatic and assessible pieces from the Romantic era I would recommend: Beethoven - Sym #5 & 7, Violin Concerto, Piano Concerto #4, Violin Sonatas 3 & 5, and Piano Sonatas #29, #8, #14, #23 and #29. Brahms - Violin Concerto, Symphony #1, and Piano Sonata #3 and three intermezzi Op117. Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique (and it is fantanstic, if a bit bizzare considering when it was composed). Big piece, an audiophile favorite show piece. Chopin - Music for Solo Piano Preludes and Nocturns as well as Sonatas. Debussy (not from the romantic period but very assessible non the less)- For Orchestral, LaMer and Afternoon of a Faun. For solo piano, Images and Preludes. Dvorak - Tone Poems and Symphonies #8 and #9. Falla - Nights in the gardens of Spain Hanson - Symphony #2 (he is a neo romantic composer - this symphony is subtitled "Romantic). Liszt - Sonata in B is a great place to start. This piece is really over the top. Respighi - Orchestral - Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome and the Birds. Big pieces - great audophile demo stuff as well. Rachmaninov - Symphony # 2 and Symphonic Dances Rimsky Korsokov - Scheherazade & Russian Easter Overture. More big dramatic demo music. Saint Saens - Symphony #3 the organ symphony, Piano Concerto #2 and #4. Schumann - Fantasy in C for solo piano (this is supremely beautiful classical piano) Sibelius - Symphony #2 Smetana - Ma Vlast, a very nationalistic piece of Czech music - very beautiful and often quoted. Tchaikovsky - Symphonies 4,5, and 6. Violin Concerto, Piano Concerto, Swan Lake, the 4 suites, and solo piano the Seasons. Vaughn Williams (not really of the romantic period) Symphony # 2, subtitled the London Symphony. Beautiful piece. Wagner - Orchestral Preludes from the Ring and others. Big music, but for shear beauty get excerpts from Tristan and Isolda. No fat soprano screeching here! Thats a few for starters from just one period......If anyone wants specific recommendations I'd be happy to recommend some of my favorite performances. |
One of the members of our audio club has but together a 'Classical For Dummies', which I think is an excellent resource for anyone feeling classically challenged. Here's the link - Classical for Dummies |
For a newbie, I would start with the Russian composers. I think they are most accessible to someone used to rock or popular music. I know Beethoven was cited, but I think he's a little too 'cerebral' to start with. I didn't full start to appreciate Beethoven until a few years ago. But you could also try Bach and Mozart. Sometimes it's easier to start with the "Bloody and Thunder." You know, canons, drums, and lots of low brass instruments (trombones). |
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