Practically silent parts (low decibel) in classical pieces?

[monafam]

One thing I often struggle with are the low decibel parts of some of the pieces I own.  I have read that "silence" is a form of music, but it's hard for me to "get" what's going on when I struggle to hear a part.  I'd really rather not have the volume turned up all the way, just to be blown away when the decibels jump up (I actually had a Kancheli disc that warned of extreme fluctuations).

How do you handle these?  Can you hear it just fine? 

I just hate the idea that a big chunk of a piece I'm listening too just can't be heard -- and as far as I can tell, things are happening, just so low that I fail to full appreciate it.

Hope this makes sense!    (I just dealt with one I was listening too, and thought this might be work checking with this forum on.)

[Josquin des Prez]

Extreme dynamics work really well live but on records they can be a pain, particularly if you do not have the money to spend on a state of the art system. If it really bothers you you can trying switching to older recordings which do not have the same level of dynamic range.

[monafam]

Using silence, I call that 'taking a breath', it's so important, some musicians use this 'space' masterfully in their music, i find for myself - that it can keep you on the edge of your seat sometimes, waiting for what's next.

Maybe "silence" is ok and I like your point, but when I'm not sure if it's truly silence, or just notes played so softly they escape my ear, it makes it a little tougher.  I've actually had some pieces I thought were still playing, but where the track had recently ended and I was literally listening to nothing and not realizing it.   

[Opus106]

I've actually had some pieces I thought were still playing, but where the track had recently ended and I was literally listening to nothing and not realizing it.   

The opposite, if you can call it that, has happened to me: wherein I thought it was silence or a break, when actually (when I increased the volume out of curiosity) the cellos or a bassoon or something were playing softly.

[monafam]

The opposite, if you can call it that, has happened to me: wherein I thought it was silence or a break, when actually (when I increased the volume out of curiosity) the cellos or a bassoon or something were playing softly.

That's happened to me before too.     Sad thing is I really like those lower register instruments, and it's touch if I can't hear them well.   

[drogulus]

     I haven't found this to be a problem with headphone listening in a quiet environment. If I was listening on my stereo I might try "night mode" for some pieces. Most receivers/procs have this, probably for watching movies late. That's certainly not an ideal solution but it might do the trick for some recordings.

[jochanaan]

First, make sure you have optimal listening conditions.  Very dynamic recordings just don't have the same effect when there's a lot of background noise.  (Cars are definitely out! )

Then, make sure you're relaxed and focused on the music.  If your body is tense, you don't hear as well.

Then if you're still not sure what's happening, check out or borrow or buy a score.  That's the really best way to determine if you're missing something.

[Daverz]

I guess I do ride the volume control with some recordings, but more because I'm afraid of pissing off the neighbors.  Otherwise turning up the volume to hear the quiet parts and being blown out of the chair on the loud parts is pretty thrilling.

[Valentino]

I cannot stand peak levels louder than 102dB when listening to any SOTA stereo, but that seems to be enough to get the soft bits as well on all my most demanding recordings.

[Daverz]

I cannot stand peak levels louder than 102dB when listening to any SOTA stereo, but that seems to be enough to get the soft bits as well on all my most demanding recordings.

Ouch, I hope I never get anywhere near that loud.  Maybe 90dB?  I'll have to do some tests with my Radio Shack SPL meter.

[Lilas Pastia]

Cage's 4'33" has a very low decibel level.

[Opus106]

Cage's 4'33" has a very low decibel level.

Not if it's being performed at a busy street corner.

[Valentino]

I cannot stand peak levels louder than 102dB when listening to any SOTA stereo, but that seems to be enough to get the soft bits as well on all my most demanding recordings.

Ouch, I hope I never get anywhere near that loud.  Maybe 90dB?  I'll have to do some tests with my Radio Shack SPL meter.

Mahler/Wagner and such in my example. RMS at -25dB or so.

[Anne]

I listen to music at bedtime.  Much as I didn't want to, I had to eliminate Mahler from the list of possible contenders for the problem being discussed in this thread.

Last I knew there was a 10-hour video of Wagner's life available (at 7 or 8 years ago).  That had to be the most annoying video I have ever watched!  Constantly the volume changed! -  sort of like some commercials relative to the program we want to see.  One had to hold the remote in hand all the time.  Dedicated and determined as I was, I finally had to admit defeat.

In contrast there was also a 10-hour video of Verdi's life and music.  What a joy that was!  No volume problems and all his operas were presented in the context of his life at the time he wrote them. In addition, the actor playing his character was excellent.  I can't remember his name right now but I think there is no more than 1 10-hour video.  A couple of years ago I noticed a 3 or 4-hour video of Verdi's life for sale.  Was it a cut-down version of the 10-hour one?  I don't know.

[DavidW]

I'm with Ernie headphones to get full volume without waking the neighbors.  During the day I just blast it (well on the weekend, not in the office obviously!) *but* I don't listen to a steady stream of music.  Just like one cd, and then later in the day another cd.  My morning ritual of massive coffee drinking is accompanied by music listening on headphones, and evening listening is also done on headphones, and I don't have the "it's too quiet/distant" feeling on headphones.

[monafam]

I decided to test out my earphones (normally used just for my MP3 player) in my external computer speakers.  The difference has been almost startling.  I think they are a pretty decent pair (not quite top of the line, but getting there) and combined with the outside noise reduction, I could hear so much better.   

It was even at the point where through the speakers a piece was partially audible, while with the earphones, it was almost too loud!

[offbeat]

One cd in my collection which i rarely play for this very reason
By Kancheli Sympony6/7
Its very interesting music but has very soft moments and then without any warning very loud bits- dont  really know if the rest of his music is like this but find if i play this have to sit near the volume control 

[eyeresist]

One cd in my collection which i rarely play for this very reason
By Kancheli Sympony6/7
Its very interesting music but has very soft moments and then without any warning very loud bits- dont  really know if the rest of his music is like this

It is.