A Pig Says Hi

[Polednice]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum today after having searched a little for a classical music haven since my previous haunt turned sour.

The name's Polednice (a few of you may recognise me), which, while I'm English, is Czech (pronounced a little like Pol-ed-Nietzsche!) and is a reference to Dvorak's masterful symphonic poem Polednice, 'The Noon Witch', Op. 108. As I'm sure you'll soon learn, Brahms and Dvorak are my idols, but I'm not too much of a zealot.

A brief background: I'm 21 and I'm studying medieval English Language and Literature at university in the UK. I didn't listen to music at all until I was 13 when, spurred on by taking up piano lessons, I started to listen to classical music - beginning with Mozart and Beethoven - and have been in love with it since, listening to it exclusively.

In my dark adolescent years, Romanticism was unsurprisingly my saviour - Brahms's 3rd Symphony holds more sentimental value for me than any other piece, and I adore his music as (what I think is) the pinnacle of artistic achievement. Other composers that I would put in my top handful include Dvorak, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Schumann and Grieg, though I do listen to a lot of Classical and contemporary music despite my favourites being heavily Romantic.

My dislikes include late, bombastic Romanticism (so no Mahler for me, though I can stand a bit of Bruckner), and, though there are a few Handelian exceptions, I'm not very keen on Baroque music.

After some wonderful concerts I've attended recently, my tastes have been developing more for composers like Prokofiev and Shostakovich, and - particularly because of a composition I'm working on at the moment - I have a particular interest in first-half 20th century English composers. So far, I very much enjoy Vaughan Williams and some Britten, but I am yet to be taken aback by Elgar.

So hi!

[bhodges]

Welcome, Polednice! (And thanks for the pronunciation help...) That Dvořák makes a very nice username, and you'll find many here who like that piece and many of his others. (Though where does the pig fit in?  )

And lots of people here will be interested in chatting with you about your other favorites. Just curious: with all your interest in medieval literature, are you interested in music from that period as well? (Not that you have to be, of course!)

In any case, have a good time here.

--Bruce

[sospiro]

Hi Polednice & welcome.   

Can I interest you in a bit of Berlioz perhaps?

[Polednice]

Welcome, Polednice! (And thanks for the pronunciation help...) That Dvořák makes a very nice username, and you'll find many here who like that piece and many of his others. (Though where does the pig fit in?  )

Hi! The pig is a bit of a non-sequitur! He's actually a character from my favourite programme when I was a child. People from the UK might know it, it's called Huxley Pig - that particular character is Vile Vincent, a (harmless) vampire. I chose that picture because it's both cute and imposing!

Just curious: with all your interest in medieval literature, are you interested in music from that period as well? (Not that you have to be, of course!)

I do occasionally listen to medieval music, though not as much as I would actually like to. Part of the problem for me is knowing where to look - I have a couple of CDs of anonymous songs, but without names to latch onto, it can be hard to find things I think I'm likely to enjoy. Of course, sumer is icumen in is one of my favourite pieces of music! :p

Hi Polednice & welcome.   

Can I interest you in a bit of Berlioz perhaps?

Is that the lovely sospiro who I know so well?! Berlioz, Berlioz, Berlioz... Hmm... No. :p

[Karl Henning]

. . . a (harmless) vampire.

Ah, the sort who draws blood only from creatures for whom the blood is unnecessary ; )

Welcome to GMG!

[jowcol]

Welcome-

If you have been getting into 20th century British composers from the first half of the century, you'll find a lot of kindred spirits here.  If you haven't tried Walton's First Symphony, Moeran's only (unfortunately) symphony, Rubbra's 4th or Bax's 2nd, you might enjoy them.   

[Mirror Image]

Welcome aboard! I do have a question: were you ever a member of the TalkClassical forum? Your name looks awfully familiar.

[sospiro]

Is that the lovely sospiro who I know so well?! Berlioz, Berlioz, Berlioz... Hmm... No. :p

No that's sospiro. I'm sospiro.

[mc ukrneal]

Welcome and enjoy!

[Polednice]

Welcome aboard! I do have a question: were you ever a member of the TalkClassical forum? Your name looks awfully familiar.

Indeed I was Mr. Image! I don't believe our times there overlapped much, but I did hear a lot of bad things about you! You've obviously been here for a while though, so maybe you're not all bad.

[Conor71]

Hey Polednice - welcome to GMG
I recognize you from the other Forum and hope you will like it here

[Mirror Image]

Indeed I was Mr. Image! I don't believe our times there overlapped much, but I did hear a lot of bad things about you! You've obviously been here for a while though, so maybe you're not all bad.

I'm not just bad, I'm terrible. But seriously, I'm not happy with way things went for me on TalkClassical and if I had adjusted my attitude ever so slightly I would probably still be there, but honestly you won't find a better classical forum than GMG. It might not have same number of members as TalkClassical, but there are certainly more pleasant, knowledgeable people here. I still have strong opinions, but I'm a little less abrasive with them this time around. Hope to see you around.

[Ataraxia]

Hello, pig.

[North Star]

Hi, Polednice, and welcome.

I didn't see Sibelius in your list: the symphonies, the violin concerto, Lemminkäinen suite, En Saga should be right up your ally. (FWIW, Sibelius and Mahler didn't admire each others music at all, or at least Mahler wouldn't conduct Sibelius)

[Polednice]

Hi, Polednice, and welcome.

I didn't see Sibelius in your list: the symphonies, the violin concerto, Lemminkäinen suite, En Saga should be right up your ally. (FWIW, Sibelius and Mahler didn't admire each others music at all, or at least Mahler wouldn't conduct Sibelius)

I've certainly had an interest in Sibelius because I'm a fan of Scandinavian culture generally, although I'm yet to make a breakthrough with him. I went to a very off-putting concert of his 5th Symphony once, and my opinion of him hasn't recovered since - the third movement was lovely, obviously, but I found the rest rather rambling and non-descript. I'll try some of the others you mention.

[North Star]

I've certainly had an interest in Sibelius because I'm a fan of Scandinavian culture generally, although I'm yet to make a breakthrough with him. I went to a very off-putting concert of his 5th Symphony once, and my opinion of him hasn't recovered since - the third movement was lovely, obviously, but I found the rest rather rambling and non-descript. I'll try some of the others you mention.

Of the symphonies, 1st, 2nd and 3rd are probably closest to your likings.

[Mirror Image]

I've certainly had an interest in Sibelius because I'm a fan of Scandinavian culture generally, although I'm yet to make a breakthrough with him. I went to a very off-putting concert of his 5th Symphony once, and my opinion of him hasn't recovered since - the third movement was lovely, obviously, but I found the rest rather rambling and non-descript. I'll try some of the others you mention.

I can understand why some people have trouble with Sibelius. His music doesn't always present itself in a straightforward manner. You have to let some of the ice thaw out first before can begin to understand his genius. The first piece of music I heard by Sibelius was his second symphony courtesy of Colin Davis and the BSO. Sibelius's music has a great subtlety to it and I think his orchestral music is some of the finest written in the 20th Century.

[Elgarian]

Hello Poley, and welcome to you, from this side of the fence.

Let me assure you that the guys here at GMG really, really know their stuff, and love it with a passion. My musical learning curve has never been so steep as it's been since I joined back in ... whenever it was. At the moment, I'm making inroads into Haydn that I'd never have believed possible (see the 'Haydn's Haus' thread); before that it was Mozart; before that it was Handel, etc, etc ...

So be warned: exponential musical growth is on the cards. But it's a great ride.

[Polednice]

Hello Poley, and welcome to you, from this side of the fence.

Let me assure you that the guys here at GMG really, really know their stuff, and love it with a passion. My musical learning curve has never been so steep as it's been since I joined back in ... whenever it was. At the moment, I'm making inroads into Haydn that I'd never have believed possible (see the 'Haydn's Haus' thread); before that it was Mozart; before that it was Handel, etc, etc ...

So be warned: exponential musical growth is on the cards. But it's a great ride.

Ah, another familiar face (or avatar) I wasn't expecting! I can't wait for my mind to be blown!

[coffee]

Polednice, I'm jealous about how many people from talkclassical welcomed you to the forum that didn't welcome me.



Edit: Nevermind. It turns out they showed up on my welcome thread too. Eventually. Anyway, we're going to have a good time here, I hope.