Hello

[chadfeldheimer]

Music Lover from Hamburg, looking for inspirations regarding new music. My passion for music rather began with the more adventurous side of Rock (Beatles - yes they are adventurous, Can, VU, Sonic Youth...) and Jazz (Mingus, Ayler, Sun Ra, Electric-period Miles ...), but the older I get the more I get interested in contemporary and "older" classical music. Among my current faves are Stockhausen, Boulez, Feldman, Berg, Stravinsky, Mahler, Schubert, Beethoven, Bach ... . I know these are all very big names, no insider tips among them, but somehow they deserve the praise they get.

Looking forward to some interesting discussions!

[North Star]

Welcome to the forum, that's a very nice list (particularly nos. 3-9 ) - but I don't see Shostakovich, Messiaen, Sibelius, Ravel, Berlioz, Chopin or Haydn on your list

(and Daniel [aka madaboutmahler]) would be most pleased to meet you)

[chadfeldheimer]

Thanks for the welcome. The composers in the list are the first that came to my mind. Shostakovich, Messiaen, Ravel are all among my favorites and I like Sibelius and Chopin too. Haydn was never really on my screen, maybe because I wanted to discover Mozart first. But I should definitely give him a try.

[North Star]

Thanks for the welcome. The composers in the list are the first that came to my mind. Shostakovich, Messiaen, Ravel are all among my favorites and I like Sibelius and Chopin too. Haydn was never really on my screen, maybe because I wanted to discover Mozart first. But I should definitely give him a try.

You should indeed! The symphonies & string quartets are wonderful music, and have influenced every composer who has written string quartets or symphonies ever since (and other composers too, really) - but first and foremost, the music is just really good, and makes for as entertaining listening as anything.

[chadfeldheimer]

You should indeed! The symphonies & string quartets are wonderful music, and have influenced every composer who has written string quartets or symphonies ever since (and other composers too, really) - but first and foremost, the music is just really good, and makes for as entertaining listening as anything.

Ok - that sounds really promising. Any recommended recordings?

[North Star]

Ok - that sounds really promising. Any recommended recordings?

Provided that you're OK with period instruments:
[asin]B001U0HB60[/asin]
[asin]B00EO7XPPC[/asin]

[chadfeldheimer]

Provided that you're OK with period instruments:
[asin]B001U0HB60[/asin]
[asin]B00EO7XPPC[/asin]

Thanks - period instruments are super for me. Just ordered the 7 CD symphony set for less than 14€. I've always been a fan of larger instrumentations and what a bargain price. 

[Lisztianwagner]

Welcome to the forum, I hope you'll have a nice time here.
I love Mahler, Beethoven, Bach and Stravinsky very much as well; what about Richard Wagner if I may ask?

[mc ukrneal]

Welcome and enjoy! We have composer threads for all those guys (and more) if you are looking to discuss any particular composer (or get more recommendations).

[chadfeldheimer]

Welcome to the forum, I hope you'll have a nice time here.
I love Mahler, Beethoven, Bach and Stravinsky very much as well; what about Richard Wagner if I may ask?

Thanks! Richard Wagner - of course. There's some kind of mystic around his music, that I like very much - there is something beneath the surface that is great, but you cannot really tell what it is. However I have the impression, that all great Wagner recordings are at least 40 years old or older, which is a pity because recording quality increased much since then. Somehow current orchestras and especially singers do not seem to really get a grip on his anymore. Or is it just my impression?

[Ken B]

Welcome. Lots to explore. Don't overlook early music (pre 1600)!

[chadfeldheimer]

Welcome. Lots to explore. Don't overlook early music (pre 1600)!

Thanks. There is so much good music out there. Regarding pre 17th century music I lately acquired an very good CD with music from Hildegard von Bingen who lived in the 12th century. In respect of quiet atmosphere it is quite similar to what the likes of Arvo Pärt, Henryk Gorecki ... are doing nowadays.[asin]B000001TYF[/asin]

[chadfeldheimer]

Welcome aboard .. nice broad selection you're into. For newer music I recommend this personal list of works well worth hearing ..

Tippett, Piano Concerto (1953-1955)
Ligeti, Melodien (1971)
Birtwistle, Secret Theatre (1984)
Ligeti, Piano Études (1985-2001)
Donatoni, Françoise Variationen (1983-1996)
Viñao, Son Entero (1988)
Gubaidulina, Offertorium (1981/82/86)
Dutilleux, The Tree of Dreams (1985)
Harvey, Mortuos plango, vivos voco (1980)
Lansky, Ride (2000)

Others worthy of investigation ..

Ferneyhough, String Quartets
Ligeti, String Quartets
Nancarrow, Studies for Player Piano

And a few older classics, highest recommendations ..

Bartók, 6 String Quartets
Webern, Complete Works op.1-31
Fauré, L'Oeuvre Pour Piano

Thanks for the recommendations. Your mentioned works from Ligeti, Gubaidulina, Harvey, Nancarrow, Bartok and Webern I already have in these or other recordings and appreciate all of them very much. From Birtwistle I have only the DG recording of Theseus Game / Earth Dances which never really clicked with me. As for the Ferneyhough string quartets I read a very positive review from Andrew Clemons (Guardian). I Like some of his orchestral works (Terrain, Funerailles) quite a lot.  Very curious about the other recordings.

[Lisztianwagner]

Thanks! Richard Wagner - of course. There's some kind of mystic around his music, that I like very much - there is something beneath the surface that is great, but you cannot really tell what it is. However I have the impression, that all great Wagner recordings are at least 40 years old or older, which is a pity because recording quality increased much since then. Somehow current orchestras and especially singers do not seem to really get a grip on his anymore. Or is it just my impression?

I'm very pleased to hear you like Wagner; no, that's not only your impression, I agree the best versions of Wagner's operas are the oldest ones, though it's not necessary to go back so much to find excellent performances (the 1991 Bayreuth Ring, with Barenboim, Jerusalem and Tomlinson, is awesome, for example). I think the main problem is the singers, especially the wagnerian tenors; I don't if it's a matter of technique or a new way of singing, but the latest generation of wagnerian interpreters doesn't seem to stand the comparison with the Londons, the Hotters or the Jerusalems at all.

[Que]

Welcome!

Q

[EigenUser]

Thanks for the welcome. The composers in the list are the first that came to my mind. Shostakovich, Messiaen, Ravel are all among my favorites and I like Sibelius and Chopin too. Haydn was never really on my screen, maybe because I wanted to discover Mozart first. But I should definitely give him a try.

...and I don't see Bartok or Ligeti . But I do see Feldman, so that kind of makes things better...

I find Haydn more interesting than Mozart, but I'm sure there are many people who think the opposite, too. Haydn is full of surprises and humor, but all very well-crafted. For this reason, he seems to go well with Ligeti.

Oh, and welcome.

[Mirror Image]

Music Lover from Hamburg, looking for inspirations regarding new music. My passion for music rather began with the more adventurous side of Rock (Beatles - yes they are adventurous, Can, VU, Sonic Youth...) and Jazz (Mingus, Ayler, Sun Ra, Electric-period Miles ...), but the older I get the more I get interested in contemporary and "older" classical music. Among my current faves are Stockhausen, Boulez, Feldman, Berg, Stravinsky, Mahler, Schubert, Beethoven, Bach ... . I know these are all very big names, no insider tips among them, but somehow they deserve the praise they get.

Looking forward to some interesting discussions!

You like Stockhausen? Oh dear...well you should get along with the resident Stockhausen wacko, James then. Welcome aboard! I can't say I'm fond of Boulez, Feldman, Schubert, Beethoven, or Bach and, of course, I can't stand Stockhausen. Anyway, some of my favorite composers are in my 'Currently Listening To" section under my avatar. What do you think of Shostakovich?

[chadfeldheimer]

...and I don't see Bartok or Ligeti . But I do see Feldman, so that kind of makes things better...

I find Haydn more interesting than Mozart, but I'm sure there are many people who think the opposite, too. Haydn is full of surprises and humor, but all very well-crafted. For this reason, he seems to go well with Ligeti.

Oh, and welcome.

My list of favorites was very short and only with composers that directly came to my mind. A more accurate list would include Brahms, Bruckner, Bartok (of course), Carter, Chopin, Debussy, Luc Ferrari, Gershwin, Glass, Grisey, Gubaidulina, Haas, Hindemith, Ives, Janacek, Kurtag, Lachenmann, Ligeti, Lutoslawski, Messiaen, Milhaud, Mozart, Nancarrow, Nono, Nyman, Oliveros, Orff, Pärt, Partch, early Penderecki, Prokoviev, Ravel, Reich, Riley, Rihm, Scelsi, Schönberg, Schumann, Schnittke, Scriabin, Shostakovich, Strauss, Wagner, Webern, Weill, Varese, Verdi, Vivaldi, Xenakis, B.A. Zimmermann 

I'm sure Haydn will soon enter the list too.

[bhodges]

My list of favorites was very short and only with composers that directly came to my mind. A more accurate list would include Brahms, Bruckner, Bartok (of course), Carter, Chopin, Debussy, Luc Ferrari, Gershwin, Glass, Grisey, Gubaidulina, Haas, Hindemith, Ives, Janacek, Kurtag, Lachenmann, Ligeti, Lutoslawski, Messiaen, Milhaud, Mozart, Nancarrow, Nono, Nyman, Oliveros, Orff, Pärt, Partch, early Penderecki, Prokoviev, Ravel, Reich, Riley, Rihm, Scelsi, Schönberg, Schumann, Schnittke, Scriabin, Shostakovich, Strauss, Wagner, Webern, Weill, Varese, Verdi, Vivaldi, Xenakis, B.A. Zimmermann 

I'm sure Haydn will soon enter the list too.

Greetings from NYC. I could be happy listening to any of the composers you list - nice to see Grisey, Lachenmann, Rihm and Scelsi there.

Welcome to GMG and enjoy yourself - lots of fine people running around here, with oceans of knowledge.

--Bruce

[chadfeldheimer]

You like Stockhausen? Oh dear...well you should get along with the resident Stockhausen wacko, James then. Welcome aboard! I can't say I'm fond of Boulez, Feldman, Schubert, Beethoven, or Bach and, of course, I can't stand Stockhausen. Anyway, some of my favorite composers are in my 'Currently Listening To" section under my avatar. What do you think of Shostakovich?

Well there are many people out there, who have difficulties with Stockhausen. Maybe that's because his lyricism (that's probably not the case with you, if you do not like Schubert ) is not very obvious, but it is there if you listen careful enough. The things that fascinate me most about Stockhausens music is it's richness of crazy ideas and that it has so many layers to it, which you only get after repeated listenings. You can really hear that the man was very enthusiastic while writing his music. However for me this does maninly hold true for pieces he composed before say 1975. I don't really get most of his opera cycle. Some pieces like Oktophonie are great though.
I saw, that you like Pink Floyd. Have you heard his piece Hymnen? The fourth region is extremely psychedelic.
Looking forward to check out the large Stockhausen tread on this page .

P.S.: Shostakovich is great of course.