New to classical music

[Appy34]

Hello everyone.  I live in a rural part of West Virginia, USA.  I have always loved music and considered it an essential part of my life.  However, I could never understand classical...even though I tried once or twice.  Then about a month ago, something happened and I have fallen in love with it. I feel like I do not know how I lived for so long without it.

I am trying to borrow as much music as I can from the library, as well as listen to radio to try to learn pieces.  My favorite kinds of music so far is the piano concerto and stuff from the Baroque era.  However, I seem to find pieces I like from all different eras.

I am happy to found this forum and hope to learn lots from it.  Thanks!

[Pierre]

Welcome aboard! I've been visiting this board for about five years, and can vouch for some excellently informed people here. Hope you enjoy your time here.

[Renfield]

Welcome, both to the board and the world of classical!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Welcome, Appy34. Enjoy GMG!

[DavidRoss]

Welcome, Appy!

I spent a wee bit of time in New Martinsville back in '71.  I don't think they had their own symphony orchestra back then!  It's terrific that you've discovered classical music.  There's a lifetime of enjoyment ahead of you.

FYI, one of the best sources I know to learn more is BBC Radio 3's website.  The Discovering Music archive is a treasure.

[bhodges]

Hello, Appy34, and welcome to GMG.  Lovely photo on your avatar.  I have a close friend, a pianist, who is from West Virginia and talks all the time about its natural beauty.  

Would love to know what piece(s) you found that turned you on to classical.  (My earliest experiences were with Respighi and Tchaikovsky.)  You'll find many people here to discuss piano concertos with, as well as Baroque music.  Have a good time!

--Bruce

[SonicMan46]

Appy34 - a warm welcome to the GMG Forum! 

I live a little further south in Piedmont, North Carolina - wife & I have vacationed several times in the southern part of West Virginia, and I've been to the Harper's Ferry region; beautiful mountain state! Several favorite remembrances below: 1) New River Gorge Bridge; and 2) Greenbrier Resort - 

 

[greg]

I'd advise you at once to get off this drug, Appy34, addictions are hard to get rid of....... unless listening to music is a substitute for another drug, i'd say that wouln't be too bad.


Any specific composers you're into?

[eyeresist]

Welcome to GMG. Sorry about your wallet.

[Hollywood]

Greetings from Vienna, Austria! Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy your stay here. 

[Appy34]

Thanks for all the nice greetings.  As for composers, I have listened to Tchaikovsky, Bach, and Vivaldi the most.  I really like Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 a lot.  I also like Beethoven.  I listened to Symphony No. 5 and Piano Concerto No.5 early on and loved them also.  And I really like Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1 too.  However, there is a lot of music I still have to listen to.

BTW, yes, I'm very concerned for my wallet also!

[Appy34]

Thanks also for the link to BBC3.  I was excited to see that Discovering Music discussed Brahms Symphony No.1 this week.  I was seriously considering purchasing it before I even heard the program.  Now, I think I will buy it.   Thanks again.

[Mark]

I really like Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 a lot.

This was one of two pieces that finally reeled me in to the world of classical music. (The other was the Act IV finale to the same composer's 'Swan Lake' ballet.)

I envy you - you have such a rich and exhilarating journey still ahead of you. Savour every moment, and don't be afraid to try music which is off the beaten track. There are many, lesser-known hidden gems to be discovered that way.

And of course, welcome.

[greg]

Thanks for all the nice greetings.  As for composers, I have listened to Tchaikovsky, Bach, and Vivaldi the most.  I really like Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 a lot.  I also like Beethoven.  I listened to Symphony No. 5 and Piano Concerto No.5 early on and loved them also.  And I really like Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1 too.  However, there is a lot of music I still have to listen to.

BTW, yes, I'm very concerned for my wallet also!

Those are all very good "beginners" works.  I'm interested what you'd think of Tchaikovsky's 1st symphony- in my opinion, a work that isn't played enough, and something i could imagine you might possibly like after listing those. If you're interested, i could post a link....

[Appy34]

Those are all very good "beginners" works.  I'm interested what you'd think of Tchaikovsky's 1st symphony- in my opinion, a work that isn't played enough, and something i could imagine you might possibly like after listing those.

Thanks for the recommendation...I would like to listen to it!  I think I've enjoyed all the Tchaikovsky I have heard, but I know nothing about his early symphonies.  Any suggestions on a performance to listen to?

[SonicMan46]

Hello again - you might want to check out (if not already found) the Composer Index Thread - just go to the composer of interest and follow the link provided; numerous threads already exist on composers, their works, and recommendations - if a particular composer is of interest, and your questions are not answered, then just leave a post in the respective thread - good luck searching! 

[greg]

Thanks for the recommendation...I would like to listen to it!  I think I've enjoyed all the Tchaikovsky I have heard, but I know nothing about his early symphonies.  Any suggestions on a performance to listen to?

sure, check pm.

Hello again - you might want to check out (if not already found) the Composer Index Thread - just go to the composer of interest and follow the link provided; numerous threads already exist on composers, their works, and recommendations - if a particular composer is of interest, and your questions are not answered, then just leave a post in the respective thread - good luck searching! 

i know i haven't mentioned it yet, but this is an awesome thread....... 

[Florestan]

Welcome and enjoy!

[Mark G. Simon]

You should know that one noteworthy contemporary composer, George Crumb, is a West Virginia native.

[gomro]

Hello everyone.  I live in a rural part of West Virginia, USA.  I have always loved music and considered it an essential part of my life.  However, I could never understand classical...even though I tried once or twice.  Then about a month ago, something happened and I have fallen in love with it. I feel like I do not know how I lived for so long without it.

I am trying to borrow as much music as I can from the library, as well as listen to radio to try to learn pieces.  My favorite kinds of music so far is the piano concerto and stuff from the Baroque era.  However, I seem to find pieces I like from all different eras.

I am happy to found this forum and hope to learn lots from it.  Thanks!

I'm also a rural Mountaineer. My classical tastes lean quite a bit toward the modern (and even - abominable term! - the "post-modern"): Charles Wuorinen, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Iannis Xenakis, Bela Bartok, Kaija Saariaho, etc.

I'm sure many will be able to inform you of the Baroque masterpieces to own...