Thread: Ask my about classical music

Originally Posted by Howie

The past three years my wife, me and my neighbor have purchased a package series for the Cleveland Orchestra.
I am lucky to live around one of the most well renowned and respected Orchestras. With Franz Welser -MÖst as the music director.

I am really looking forward to this year. It does not begin until October.
When I review the list of concerts I can choose from, I would like your advice if you would.

I'd be happy to offer my opinion on this, if you give me an idea of what sort of music you know you like. My tastes usually run from late romantic to contemporary, but I'm pretty familiar with most of the "classics" that are likely to be programmed.

I have studied the fine arts and it's history, practiced mostly abstract art myself for as long as I can remember. Always attempting to explain to others the processes of viewing and depicting more modern styles of art. It was unfortunate that it was not until the second season that it hit me straight between the eyes. As I would sit and try to depict what this instrument is doing, what this means and that is, it ultimately came down to how how feel when I listen to it.
Where does it take me? Much like a painting. It's an experience. Not to be over analytical towards. At least for most of us.
Someone like you can dabble further into the depths of the compositions. Someone like myself can depict art very critically and not tarnish the experience.
I think only with time, knowledge and experience can you get to that point.[/COLOR]

I've had many discussions on this topic, actually. The very experience of music changes as you learn more about it. You lose just a little bit of the wonder, but gain much in a deeper sense of appreciation. I sometimes wish I could hear something while forgetting the theory behind it all... to let it just be sound again, and sometimes I can fool myself for a little while in this regard, but it's very hard for me not to analyze what's going on as I listen. This is probably why I like contemporary music so much... much harder to analyze

what is your favorite classical song/orchestra/etc. (not really sure about the terminology)?

Originally Posted by ataraxis

what is your favorite classical song/orchestra/etc. (not really sure about the terminology)?

My favorite composers are Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Penderecki, Tchaikovsky, Bartok, Shostakovich, Nielsen. As you can see, I lean heavily on the Slavic side

My all time favorite orchestral works are Le Sacre du Printemps ("the Rite of Spring") by Stravinsky, and Symphony #5 in Bb by Prokofiev. Powerful stuff!

Skysaw, sweet to see another fan of classical music... I'm part of a classical music forum you may appreciate at this site

http://www.magle.dk/music-forums/

Anyways, have you heard scriabin's first, second or third symphonies... if so what do you think about the tonality and melodies of these works.

I play piano and right now I'm playing the mercutio from the Romeo and Juliet prokofiev sweet, very fun piece. I was wondering if you've heard the Prokofiev fourth piano concerto for the left hand. What do you think of the chord progressions in the fourth movement of that piece because I find them so interesting.

Sorry I'm being so specific thought I might just throw out a few things. Shostakovich... What do you think of the sixth symphony versus the the tenth symphony. Which do you prefer?

and do you prefer Beethoven/Mahler, or Mozart/Scriabin as symphonists. What do you think of Mahler's Second Symphony, and what would you recommend as my next Mahler.

Also I recently bought Walter Piston's book, Orchestration, what would recommend reading for learning orchestration.

You don't have to answer all of this because I know its really specific. Thank you for listening to classical music

Hi Seph,

Thanks for the link. I will check it out later.

It's been awhile since I've taken a good listen to any scriabin. I'll have to dig through my CD collection, as I'm sure I have one or two of those symphonies. I recall liking what I heard, but not necessarily being completely enthralled. But as I said, it's been awhile. I regard him as being a bit like Honneger, Milhaud, and Messiaen. All composers I greatly respect, but I can only take in moderate dosages. (I do love Messiaen's "Quartet for the End of Time," though).

I have heard the Prokofiev concerto you mention, but I don't remember much of it. I don't think I have a recording of it.

I absolutely love the Shostakovich 6th! (prefer it marginally over the 10th) I'm a big fan of most of his symphonies, particularly the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, and 15th. I'm also a huge fan of his quartets. You absolutely must hear the Fitzwilliam play his 15th quartet. It changed my life! (ok, yes, hyperbole). If I remember correctly, it is in six movements, all marked Adagio. Best to set aside some time, turn off the lights, and let it just wash over you.

Personal preference from your list of symphonists is Mahler. The second is a classic of course, as are the first and fifth. I actually wrote a paper on his unfinished 10th symphony as my senior paper for high school. There is a Simon Rattle recording of this piece reconstructed that is quite striking.

But along these lines, make sure you check out some of the Nielsen and Sibelius symphonies, and maybe Martinu. Looking at your list, I feel pretty certain you'd like all of them... especially try the Nielsen 3rd and 5th, and the Sibelius 1st and 2nd. Lush, romantic, beautiful, and strikingly individual.

The Piston book is very good. Of course the orchestration "bible" is the Rimsky-Korsakov, though it's a bit dated. Other than that, my favorite is from Alfred Blatter, though it may be out of print at this point.

By the way, the entire RK book is available as online training on the Garritan forums. I was one of the people who helped recreate some of the samples from the book for that. I'm a regular on those forums and share a lot of my compositions there.