Greetings

[Mirror Image]

I couldn't give you any exact works as I haven't taken the time to listen to him thoroughly. I'm only basing my dislike based on random concert and radio appearances of his works. So, just give me anything you think I'd like based on my tastes .

Based on your like for Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach, I don't think there's anything by Bartok you would like. But if I were to ignore your tastes and give you a recommendation I would start with The Wooden Prince. Some people may roll their eyes at that recommendation for a starting point, but I think it's a more accessible work than say his other ballet The Miraculous Mandarin. If you enjoy that work, then I have more recommendations waiting on you. Happy listening.

[Karl Henning]

Based on your like for Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach, I don't think there's anything by Bartok you would like.

Bad analysis! ; )

But if I were to ignore your tastes and give you a recommendation I would start with The Wooden Prince. Some people may roll their eyes at that recommendation for a starting point....

My eyes aren't rolling, but I don't think it a sound suggestion.  Think yourself: you're entirely disregarding what he has said he likes.

You're right in one respect, though:  The ears of someone whose likes center on Mozart, Chopin and Bach won't find much purchase in The Wooden Prince.

I'll give you a point, though, John:  I expected you to suggest Duke Bluebeard's Castle — i.e., that you would suggest that as a piece you like a great deal, whether it hinges on anything that Steven cares for, or not : )

[Mirror Image]

Bad analysis! ; )

My eyes aren't rolling, but I don't think it a sound suggestion.  Think yourself: you're entirely disregarding what he has said he likes.

You're right in one respect, though:  The ears of someone whose likes center on Mozart, Chopin and Bach won't find much purchase in The Wooden Prince.

I'll give you a point, though, John:  I expected you to suggest Duke Bluebeard's Castle — i.e., that you would suggest that as a piece you like a great deal, whether it hinges on anything that Steven cares for, or not : )

Well Steven O'Brien hasn't necessarily been forthcoming in what he likes/dislikes, so I was merely suggesting a work like The Wooden Prince because of what it meant to me in my early stages of appreciating Bartok. Whether he'll enjoy it or not is up to him.

[Gurn Blanston]

Well Steven O'Brien hasn't necessarily been forthcoming in what he likes/dislikes, so I was merely suggesting a work like The Wooden Prince because of what it meant to me in my early stages of appreciating Bartok. Whether he'll enjoy it or not is up to him.

What he likes is for you to listen to his preludes for piano. Seems like if he sticks around for a while, then other things will come along and you can develop a relationship (or not). Don't you think it's important to know, and even like someone, before you attempt to influence their listening choices?

[StevenOBrien]

What he likes is for you to listen to his preludes for piano. Seems like if he sticks around for a while, then other things will come along and you can develop a relationship (or not). Don't you think it's important to know, and even like someone, before you attempt to influence their listening choices?

Well I did ask him to suggest something to me =P.

[Mirror Image]

What he likes is for you to listen to his preludes for piano. Seems like if he sticks around for a while, then other things will come along and you can develop a relationship (or not). Don't you think it's important to know, and even like someone, before you attempt to influence their listening choices?

I agree that it takes time to learn a listener's preferences, but, like Steven said, he did ask for a recommendation. I'm not trying to influence his listening choices at all. If he likes Mozart or Beethoven, then I have no problem with that, why would I? Those are his choices.

[North Star]

Welcome to the forum, Steven.
I like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Mahler, Ravel, Stravinsky, and Bartók, too.
Bartók's Violin Concerto no. 2 might be worth trying.

What do you think of Sibelius?




Karlo

[StevenOBrien]

Welcome to the forum, Steven.
I like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Mahler, Ravel, Stravinsky, and Bartók, too.
Bartók's Violin Concerto no. 2 might be worth trying.

What do you think of Sibelius?




Karlo

Very good software, I use it on a daily basis.

I haven't heard much of Sibelius' music, but what I have heard is enjoyable.

[Opus106]

Bad analysis! ; )

Why the wink?



Hi Steven. As someone who close to worships Bach's music, places late Mozart and Beethoven just beneath him and loves a lot of Chopin, I do like some Bartók as well. Of course, the things we look for in music -- you as a budding composer, and I as a casual listener -- may differ, but here's a lit of B's works that I like, and I hope it helps you discover his music:

The Third piano concerto; all the works for violin and orchestra (the rhapsodies and the concerti); the viola concerto (I think!); the 'Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta' and, of course, the Concerto for Orchestra. These may not be exactly what one might call "ideal" Bartók, but hey, you must start somewhere, and since you're open to all possibilities, they are some!

Apart from what I heard at a recital a couple of years ago, I'm yet to delve into his solo-piano repertoire. And the string quartets, the set of which some claim as one of the pinnacles of the genre, are works I still find difficult to listen to.


In any case, whether or not you end up liking Bartók's music, I hope you spend fruitful hours in this forum.

[Hollywood]

Howdy there Steven. Greetings from Beethoven and Mozart's Vienna. Welcome to the forum. 

[Conor71]

Hi Steven, welcome to the forum

[eyeresist]

Welcome!

Mahler on the other hand, I really enjoy a lot of his music, but he's not "everything" to me as the three composers I listed are. His symphonies are there for me to enjoy, but they doesn't absorb me like a Mozart or Beethoven symphony does.

It's only a matter of time. I suggest you start saving now.

It is possible to live a full and happy life without liking Bartok. Wagner, OTOH....

I recommend considering Prokofiev, Vaughan Williams, Dvorak, Schubert, Shostakovich (great string quartets!), and if you have the patience, Bruckner.

[Karl Henning]

Why the wink?

A buffer.

[TheGSMoeller]

Hi Steven, welcome to the forum!

I'll recommend you listen to nothing, but encourage you to listen to everything. 

[StevenOBrien]

Why the wink?



Hi Steven. As someone who close to worships Bach's music, places late Mozart and Beethoven just beneath him and loves a lot of Chopin, I do like some Bartók as well. Of course, the things we look for in music -- you as a budding composer, and I as a casual listener -- may differ, but here's a lit of B's works that I like, and I hope it helps you discover his music:

The Third piano concerto; all the works for violin and orchestra (the rhapsodies and the concerti); the viola concerto (I think!); the 'Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta' and, of course, the Concerto for Orchestra. These may not be exactly what one might call "ideal" Bartók, but hey, you must start somewhere, and since you're open to all possibilities, they are some!

Apart from what I heard at a recital a couple of years ago, I'm yet to delve into his solo-piano repertoire. And the string quartets, the set of which some claim as one of the pinnacles of the genre, are works I still find difficult to listen to.


In any case, whether or not you end up liking Bartók's music, I hope you spend fruitful hours in this forum.

Thank you for your recommendations!

Howdy there Steven. Greetings from Beethoven and Mozart's Vienna. Welcome to the forum. 

Wow, in Heiligenstadt? How is it there?

Hi Steven, welcome to the forum!

I'll recommend you listen to nothing, but encourage you to listen to everything. 

Great advice .