GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: mn dave on July 08, 2014, 05:30:28 AM

Title: Favorite Overture
Post by: mn dave on July 08, 2014, 05:30:28 AM
You got one?
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: North Star on July 08, 2014, 05:35:48 AM
Janáček's operas have some nice ones, like From the House of the Dead.
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Brahmsian on July 08, 2014, 05:42:31 AM
Wow, very hard to chose just one.   ???

Perhaps Wagner's Parsifal - Prelude of Act I.

or Beethoven's Leonore Overture III

or Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Festival Overture
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Drasko on July 08, 2014, 06:43:51 AM
La forza del destino

also: Lohengrin, Egmont, Coriolan, Hebrides, Romeo and Juliet ...
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Henk on July 08, 2014, 06:44:45 AM
Handel - Riccardo Primo

Will come up with more.
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Gurn Blanston on July 08, 2014, 07:12:51 AM
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro

Wagner: Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin

8)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Brahmsian on July 08, 2014, 07:21:18 AM
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on July 08, 2014, 07:12:51 AM
Wagner: Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin

8)

Faints!  :o
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Gurn Blanston on July 08, 2014, 07:32:32 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 08, 2014, 07:21:18 AM
Faints!  :o

I have far greater depth than given credit for... :)

8)

Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Karl Henning on July 08, 2014, 10:28:46 AM
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on July 08, 2014, 07:12:51 AM
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro

Wagner: Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin

8)

Waaaay belowe the green lemon! 8)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Lisztianwagner on July 08, 2014, 11:08:37 AM
Could the preludes count as overtures, although they would be different?
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Gurn Blanston on July 08, 2014, 11:28:50 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on July 08, 2014, 11:08:37 AM
Could the preludes count as overtures, although they would be different?

They are far more than entr'acte music, so might as well. To my ear, they are overtures in all but name... :)

8)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Brahmsian on July 08, 2014, 11:32:12 AM
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on July 08, 2014, 11:28:50 AM
They are far more than entr'acte music, so might as well. To my ear, they are overtures in all but name... :)

8)

Same here!  :)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Karl Henning on July 08, 2014, 11:40:09 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on July 08, 2014, 11:08:37 AM
Could the preludes count as overtures, although they would be different?

On a practical plane . . . that Prelude to Act III has been programmed on orchestral concerts as "the overture" :)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: EigenUser on July 08, 2014, 11:59:04 AM
Some that I am fond of.
-Cuban
-Egmont
-Die Fledermaus
-Manfred (Schumann)
-"Midsummer Night's Dream"
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 08, 2014, 12:01:05 PM
Berlioz: Rob Roy Overture
Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture; Midsummer Night's Dream Overture
Mozart: Magic Flute
Beethoven: Egmont Overture
Strauss: Overture to Le Bourgeois Gentlehomme

And for Preludes..
Wagner: Parsifal
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Lisztianwagner on July 08, 2014, 12:08:31 PM
Thank you for answering, gentlemen. :) Too difficult to choose just one; some of my favourites are all Wagner's overture/preludes (at least from Der fliegende Holländer to Parsifal), Strauss' Der Zigeunerbaron and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Brahmsian on July 08, 2014, 12:20:15 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 08, 2014, 12:01:05 PM
And for Preludes..
Wagner: Parsifal

+1 Georgian Grenouille!  :)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Sammy on July 08, 2014, 12:38:28 PM
Since nobody mandated that an orchestra was required, I'll go with Bach's Overture in the French style.
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: johnshade on July 08, 2014, 02:52:53 PM
The brief introduction to Act One of Der Rosenkavalier. What is the meaning of this exciting music?

..
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: trung224 on July 08, 2014, 03:36:41 PM
  Corolian overture
  Manfred overture
  Parsifal
  Herbrides overture
  and Orphée aux enfers
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: jochanaan on July 11, 2014, 08:06:36 AM
I find it hard to believe nobody's mentioned Tristan und Isolde before me! ;D
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Lisztianwagner on July 11, 2014, 08:28:25 AM
Quote from: jochanaan on July 11, 2014, 08:06:36 AM
I find it hard to believe nobody's mentioned Tristan und Isolde before me! ;D
Well, I didn't mention the prelude directly, though I chose all Wagner's overtures; that included Tristan too......
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: jochanaan on July 11, 2014, 08:56:51 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on July 11, 2014, 08:28:25 AM
Well, I didn't mention the prelude directly, though I chose all Wagner's overtures; that included Tristan too......
Point conceded, although Tristan is definitely my favorite of all the Wagner preludes. :)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Sergeant Rock on July 11, 2014, 09:34:22 AM
A Favorite 10

Dvorak Othello Overture
Suppé Light Cavalry Overture
Reznicek Donna Diana Overture
Wagner Rienzi Overture
Wagner Die Meistersinger Prelude to Act I
Brahms Academic Festival Overture
Lalo Les Roi D'Ys Overture
Bruckner Overture in G minor
Arnold Tam O'Shanter Overture
John Williams The Cowboys Overture

Sarge
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Karl Henning on July 11, 2014, 09:35:34 AM
Someday, White Nights will be in there.

Not today, though.
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Sergeant Rock on July 11, 2014, 09:37:23 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on July 11, 2014, 09:35:34 AM
Someday, White Nights will be in there.

Not today, though.

I left out several overtures by Havergal Brian too...so don't feel too sad, Karl.

Sarge
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Karl Henning on July 11, 2014, 09:38:05 AM
Oh, not sad.  My own doesn't really belong, until we hear a proper orchestra play it!
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Sergeant Rock on July 11, 2014, 09:41:34 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on July 11, 2014, 09:38:05 AM
Oh, not sad.  My own doesn't really belong, until we hear a proper orchestra play it!

I was going to say that in my previous comment...that it's not easy to judge your work at the moment. I pray we get a real performance someday.

Sarge
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Brahmsian on July 11, 2014, 09:50:54 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on July 11, 2014, 09:34:22 AM

Bruckner Overture in G minor


Sarge

Didn't even know this existed!  :o
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: EigenUser on July 11, 2014, 02:44:52 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on July 11, 2014, 09:34:22 AM
A Favorite 10

Dvorak Othello Overture
Suppé Light Cavalry Overture
Reznicek Donna Diana Overture
Wagner Rienzi Overture
Wagner Die Meistersinger Prelude to Act I
Brahms Academic Festival Overture
Lalo Les Roi D'Ys Overture
Bruckner Overture in G minor
Arnold Tam O'Shanter Overture
John Williams The Cowboys Overture

Sarge
How could I forget the Brahms "Academic Festival Overture"? ??? ??? ??? I love that piece even though the rest of Brahms hasn't clicked yet.

Also, same with Hebrides.
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Wanderer on July 11, 2014, 11:41:16 PM
Two of my absolute favourites:

Beethoven: "Die Weihe des Hauses" Overture, op.124
Mendelssohn: Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt, op.27

"The Consecration of the House" is a splendid homage to Händel (a companion piece/homage to Bach was alas never to materialize) and a superb overture in its own right.
The Mendelssohnian treatment of Goethe's Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage (memorably set by Beethoven as a short cantata) is also superb: alluring, fervent, joyful, uplifting, triumphant. They both deserve to be much better known.


Other favourites:

The Sinfonia that opens Haydn's Orlando Paladino (splendid work!)
Mozart's overtures to Die Zauberflöte and Le nozze di Figaro (who doesn't love those?)
all the Beethoven overtures, with special affinity to Leonore II (again, who doesn't love those)
Mendelssohn's Hebrides and Midsummer Night's Dream
Rossini (William Tell, anyone?)
most Wagner preludes (Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger, etc.)
Korngold: Schauspiel Overture and the - stunning! - prelude to Violanta
Schreker: preludes to Die Gezeichneten act I (superbly decadent, chromaticism to its limits) and III

Honorary mention: the R.Strauss sonic blast weapon that is the op.61 Festliches Präludium.
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Wanderer on July 11, 2014, 11:48:24 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on July 11, 2014, 09:34:22 AM
Arnold Tam O'Shanter Overture

Yes!  8)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Wanderer on July 11, 2014, 11:53:10 PM
Quote from: Sammy on July 08, 2014, 12:38:28 PM
Since nobody mandated that an orchestra was required, I'll go with Bach's Overture in the French style.

Great idea. I'll go with Alkan's Ouverture, op.39/11. (http://youtu.be/iKDu7HjAzFs)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Orpheus on July 12, 2014, 03:47:17 AM
Bach: Ouvertures (Suites) Nos. 1-4
Mozart: All
Beethoven: All
Mendelssohn: Fingal's Cave - Trumpet Ouverture
Berlioz: Roman Carnival
Schumann: Manfred
Herold: Zampa
Weber: Oberon
Brahms: Both Ouvertures
Dvorak: Nature, Life and Love cycle
Smetana: The Batered Bride
Kabalevsky: Colas Breugnon
Shostakovich: Festive Ouverture
Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet
Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter
Reznicek: Donna Diana
Strauss: Fledermaus
Suppé: all
Strauss R: Festive Prelude
Bernstein: Candide
Wagner: Meistersinger
Prokofiev: Overture on Hebrew Themes
Rossini: Italiana in Algeri - La Gazza Ladra
Verdi: La Forza del Destino
Bizet: Carmen
Nielsen: Helios
Cherubini: Medea
Cimarosa: Il Matrimonio Segreto
Nicolai: Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Brahmsian on July 15, 2014, 12:02:45 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on July 11, 2014, 09:34:22 AM
A Favorite 10

Dvorak Othello Overture

Sarge

That's a dandy, Sarge!  :)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Xenophanes on July 16, 2014, 04:45:24 PM
So many have been mentioned.

The Auber and Suppe overturnes are splendid works.

http://www.amazon.com/Supp%C3%A9-Overtures-Auber-Bronze-Horse/dp/B000V6MRRC/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1405557315&sr=1-3&keywords=auber+paray

Now for some off the beaten track.

I have a fondness for J. M. Kraus's Olympie Overture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzEf8nAm4MM

A few years ago, I picked up a CD of overtures by Samuel Arnold (1740-1802), a composer I had never heard of before, which are quite delightful.

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=126910

Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: vandermolen on July 17, 2014, 12:05:24 PM
Beethoven Leonore No 3
Beethoven Egmont
Frederic Austin The Sea Venturers
Douglas Lilburn Aotearoa
Moeran Overture to a Masque
Bax Festival Overture
Prokofiev Russian Overture
Prokofiev Overture on Hebrew Themes
Copland An Outdoor Overture
Rimsky Korsakov Russian Easter Festival Overture
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Brahmsian on July 17, 2014, 01:27:11 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on July 17, 2014, 12:05:24 PM
Beethoven Leonore No 3
Rimsky Korsakov Russian Easter Festival Overture

Oh yah!!

(http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100516054254/uncyclopedia/images/a/a4/Beavis_%26_Butthead_-_Head_Banging.gif)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: vandermolen on July 17, 2014, 02:39:00 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 17, 2014, 01:27:11 PM
Oh yah!!

(http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100516054254/uncyclopedia/images/a/a4/Beavis_%26_Butthead_-_Head_Banging.gif)

Pleased by your restrained approval!  8)
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: DaveF on July 21, 2014, 01:19:04 PM
Berwald: The Queen of Golconda

(also a candidate for "The most laid-back composer" thread).

Which leads me to ask: has anyone ever heard/seen the rest of Berwald's Drottningen av Golconda?  If it's all as good as the overture, it ought to be recorded.  Although, sadly, it probably isn't.
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: listener on July 21, 2014, 07:10:36 PM
HÉROLD:  Zampa
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: Brian on July 21, 2014, 07:38:05 PM
Top 13. Alphabetical.

Berlioz - Benvenuto Cellini
Berlioz - Les francs-juges
Berlioz - Le corsaire
Borodin/Glazunov - Prince Igor
Elgar - Cockaigne
Mozart - Die Schauspieldirektor
Reznicek - Donna Diana
Rimsky-Korsakov - Russian Easter
Smetana - The Bartered Bride
Strauss Jr. - Die Fledermaus
Suppe - Pique Dame
Suppe - Morning, Noon, and Night in Vienna
Wagner - Die Meistersinger
Title: Re: Favorite Overture
Post by: EigenUser on July 22, 2014, 03:25:55 AM
Quote from: Brian on July 21, 2014, 07:38:05 PM
Strauss Jr. - Die Fledermaus
Good! J. Strauss Jr. seems to be hated here, from what I can gather. I'm not terribly well acquainted with his output, but I actually like it. Sure, it isn't deep music, but it is fun.

I played the DF overture at my university (as an "ad" for the chamber ensemble's later show of the whole opera). Our conductor told us to make the slow, sad sounding part in the middle of the overture exaggerated "drama queen" crying -- like, not real sadness, but superficial sadness. That always made me laugh.