GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Classical Music for Beginners => Topic started by: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 06:57:53 AM

Title: My mind is melting!
Post by: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 06:57:53 AM
I have fallen away from the straight and narrow path that is classical music.  Now that I try to jump back into it, it burns!  I need something that will ease my mind back into the giant pool of classical goodness - any suggestions?
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: bhodges on April 06, 2007, 07:06:41 AM
How about revisiting an old warhorse, such as:

Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade
Brahms: Symphony No. 1
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story"
Debussy: La Mer

But it's hard to know what would do the trick!  Hope your mind un-melts soon.  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Harry on April 06, 2007, 07:11:12 AM
Or to take it easy, some lute music, gently going over in the preludes by Chopin, or Mompou.
Be a man, be a classical man, be a classical music man. ;D
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Brian on April 06, 2007, 07:13:52 AM
Quote from: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 06:57:53 AM
I have fallen away from the strait and narrow path that is classical music.  Now that I try to jump back into it, it burns!  I need something that will ease my mind back into the giant pool of classical goodness - any suggestions?
Well ... what music do you listen to now? That could help us narrow things down; for example, if you love jazz I would point you to Gershwin, Shostakovich's "Jazz Suites" and "Ballet Suites", the "Gaite Parisienne", and the piano music of Louis Moreau Gottschalk.  :)
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 07:17:21 AM
Scheherazade: Classical Goodness, my high school orchestra performed the last movement for the state contest, and won.  Go Valpo!

Brahms: Symphony No. 1 - Brahms is a good one.  I have a CD of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing this, and love it.

Bernstein: Symphonic Dances - I have never listened to this one, I'll have to find it somehow, hopefully free . . .

Debussy: La mer - Again, I have a cd of this; CSO with their personal back-up choir.  Half of my 14 disk "collection" is the CSO actually . . . it a crutch because I've bought cd's that suck from other orchestra' . . . CSO has always delivered.

I've already listen to and loved the "New World Symphony", all four of Brahms Symphonies, Copland's Symphony #3, and Ravel's Bolero.  I'm going to majoring in music in the fall, I'd better be developing an ear for classical soon!


Some of what I listen to now that is post-rock stuff like Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Explosions in the Sky, and Mogwai.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Brian on April 06, 2007, 07:19:18 AM
Quote from: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 07:17:21 AM

Brahms: Symphony No. 1 - Brahms is a good one.  I have a CD of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing this, and love it.
I've already listen to and loved the "New World Symphony", all four of Brahms Symphonies, Copland's Symphony #3, and Ravel's Bolero.  I'm going to majoring in music in the fall, I'd better be developing an ear for classical soon!
I'm glad you've listened to all four - No. 1 is the last one I'd play to a new or returning classical fan...

The last four Dvorak symphonies will be really appealing. Nos. 6, 7, 8 are just as good as "New World" and sometimes better ... when you're in  a peaceful happy mood, prepare to be blown away by No. 8!

Might I recommend www.naxos.com? For $20 a year you get full access to ALL their 3,000 or so CDs - you can't download them, but you can stream them live. They have some really excellent recordings of a great many things, ranging from Bernstein's Symphonic Dances to Brahms' Hungarian Dances to Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier to Beethoven's Overtures to Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 to Barber's Adagio to "Tintagel" by Sir Arnold Bax (awesome awesome awesome piece!) (and that's just highlights from the letter B). The downside is each composer listing is totally disorganized, so whether you find the music you're looking for depends on how hard you look.  :(   Also some of their recordings are not as good, like the Beethoven symphonies, which are played in a rather dull way.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 07:53:54 AM
Its like the fair just burned down, and as I played around in the wreckage, I found a Goldmine!  Thanks for the link.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Harry on April 06, 2007, 08:00:51 AM
Well all's well, what ends well right?
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: 71 dB on April 06, 2007, 08:38:07 AM
Quote from: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 06:57:53 AM
I have fallen away from the strait and narrow path that is classical music.  Now that I try to jump back into it, it burns!  I need something that will ease my mind back into the giant pool of classical goodness - any suggestions?

How about Elgar's Violin Concerto, Op. 61 ?
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: not edward on April 06, 2007, 08:55:13 AM
Quote from: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 07:17:21 AM
Some of what I listen to now that is post-rock stuff like Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Explosions in the Sky, and Mogwai.
Because you like these groups, I'm going to suggest you also try listening to more contemporary music. Try  snippets of some of these pieces on www.naxos.com:

Penderecki: Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima, Symphony No 2
Messiaen: Turangalila-Symphonie
Ligeti: Etudes for piano
Shostakovich: Execution of Stepan Razin
Schnittke: Cello Concerto, Faust Cantata
Xenakis: Pleiades
Lutoslawski: Cello Concerto
Gorecki: Symphony No 3

Obviously, you shouldn't neglect the main repertoire, but these are pieces which I've found tend to appeal to those who like the sort of post-rock you seem to.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: hornteacher on April 06, 2007, 09:18:59 AM
Good 'ol Planets might do the trick.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: mahlertitan on April 06, 2007, 09:31:54 AM
Quote from: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 07:53:54 AM
Its like the fair just burned down, and as I played around in the wreckage, I found a Goldmine!  Thanks for the link.

you might want to check out www.naxosmusiclibrary.com (http://www.naxosmusiclibrary.com) it has MANY more recordings than naxos.com. I have a subscription, naxosmusiclibrary.com is better because it also has numerous other labels.

why Naxosmusiclibrary is better?
   Invaluable Resource for Music Professionals and Collectors
   Wide Range of Standard and Specialist Repertoire
   First-class Performances and Sound
   Contains more than 15,000 CDs, over 230,000 tracks of music. 500 CDs are added every month
   Comprehensive Liner Notes
   Includes Opera Synopses and Libretti, Composer and Artist Biographies and other Essential Information
   Access from Anywhere, Anytime
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: m_gigena on April 06, 2007, 10:25:56 AM
Quote from: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 06:57:53 AM
I need something that will ease my mind back into the giant pool of classical goodness - any suggestions?

TCHAIKOVSKY ! ! ! ! !

If his 1st piano concerto doesn't boost your interest in the classics... you don't belong here....  ;D

Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: dtwilbanks on April 06, 2007, 10:30:30 AM
Listen to the dripping of your mind as it melts.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: bhodges on April 06, 2007, 10:40:24 AM
Quote from: edward on April 06, 2007, 08:55:13 AM
Because you like these groups, I'm going to suggest you also try listening to more contemporary music. Try  snippets of some of these pieces on www.naxos.com:

Penderecki: Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima, Symphony No 2
Messiaen: Turangalila-Symphonie
Ligeti: Etudes for piano
Shostakovich: Execution of Stepan Razin
Schnittke: Cello Concerto, Faust Cantata
Xenakis: Pleiades
Lutoslawski: Cello Concerto
Gorecki: Symphony No 3

Obviously, you shouldn't neglect the main repertoire, but these are pieces which I've found tend to appeal to those who like the sort of post-rock you seem to.

Excellent suggestions...if I had known about the "post-rock" interest I would have suggested some of these as well. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: BachQ on April 06, 2007, 11:15:04 AM
Quote from: Manuel on April 06, 2007, 10:25:56 AM
TCHAIKOVSKY ! ! ! ! !

If his 1st piano concerto doesn't boost your interest in the classics... you don't belong here....  ;D



Speaking of Piano Concertos: 

Brahms PC's 1/2
Mozart PC's 20/24/27
Mozart PC's 17/21/23
Rachmaninov PC's 2/3
Prokofiev PC 3
Beethoven PC's 4/5
Liszt Totentanz in d minor
Bach PC in d minor
Saint-Saens PC 2
Schumann PC
Grieg PC
Busoni PC
Chopin PC's 1/2
Ravel G Major

and even Mendy PC 1  :D
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Maciek on April 06, 2007, 12:52:37 PM
Listen to some stuff played by Bang on a Can. Or Icebreaker. Or even the Kronos Quartet! Or, if you'd like something more exotic, the Silesian Quartet. Here, I'd recommend this CD:
(http://www.merlin.com.pl/images_product/26/3460392.jpg) (http://www.merlin.com.pl/frontend/browse/product/4,427833.html)
(you can listen to samples after clicking on the image)

Maciek
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: bhodges on April 06, 2007, 01:02:17 PM
Great cover art on that Silesian CD, Maciek!  And nice to see Icebreaker (http://www.icebreaker.org.uk/) mentioned.  I heard them here in the summer of 2005, and wrote this review. (http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2005/Jul-Dec05/Lincoln3.htm)

--Bruce
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: facehugger on April 06, 2007, 01:06:11 PM
crumb - black angels
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Don on April 06, 2007, 01:06:49 PM
Quote from: Manuel on April 06, 2007, 10:25:56 AM
TCHAIKOVSKY ! ! ! ! !

If his 1st piano concerto doesn't boost your interest in the classics... you don't belong here....  ;D



I must not belong here then. ::)
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Maciek on April 06, 2007, 02:24:22 PM
Quote from: bhodges on April 06, 2007, 01:02:17 PM
Great cover art on that Silesian CD, Maciek!  And nice to see Icebreaker (http://www.icebreaker.org.uk/) mentioned.  I heard them here in the summer of 2005, and wrote this review. (http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2005/Jul-Dec05/Lincoln3.htm)

--Bruce

Thanks for the links, Bruce! (I was looking for Icebreaker's page but didn't find it.) That must have been a great concert. Hoketus is a great piece!
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 04:57:30 PM
I really appreciate all the music suggestions, the link to "Republique - Grzegorz Ciechowski" in particular sounds great.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Symphonien on April 06, 2007, 08:22:30 PM
Quote from: D Minor on April 06, 2007, 11:15:04 AM
Speaking of Piano Concertos: 

...

Prokofiev PC 3

Why does everyone always seem to mention the 3rd and forget about my favourite piano concerto, the Prokofiev 2nd?

Watch this, and you will become obsessed with classical music once more! -

1st Movement - Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3scIbziHJA)
1st Movement - Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8X5E6KCX-8&mode=related&search=)
2nd Movement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP0G_-oW6o4&mode=related&search=)
3rd Movement (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH7RvFhDAfM&mode=related&search=)
4th Movement - Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8kwKCYQdcE&mode=related&search=)
4th Movement - Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSMgzqdANAY&mode=related&search=)
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Maciek on April 07, 2007, 02:04:49 AM
It's my favorite too. But I don't think you could call that a gentle way of easing yourself back into the classics... ;)
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Maciek on April 07, 2007, 02:57:29 AM
Quote from: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 04:57:30 PM
I really appreciate all the music suggestions, the link to "Republique - Grzegorz Ciechowski" in particular sounds great.

That is one cool CD! I'm glad you like what you hear. I can't find it on amazon but if you'd like to, you can order it from the Polish internet shop I linked the picture to. However, beware! The page I linked to is for the SACD (not Hybrid!). If you'd like an ordinary CD, go here (http://www.merlin.com.pl/frontend/browse/product/4,427832.html). The CD is quite cheap (23.5 PLN = approx. $ 8), so even if you include the shipping it probably won't cost you much...? If you decide to buy it, that is. ;)

Maciek
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Symphonien on April 07, 2007, 03:59:22 AM
Quote from: MrOsa on April 07, 2007, 02:04:49 AM
It's my favorite too. But I don't think you could call that a gentle way of easing yourself back into the classics... ;)

It's your favourite too? Cool!

So maybe it's not a gentle way of easing yourself back into the classics... But whenever I listen to it, it reminds me of what music is capable of, especially with that powerful first movement and the amazing cadenza. The second movement is simply perfect, the third movement is so cool. And the 4th movement even has that beautiful melody.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: jwinter on April 07, 2007, 04:48:20 AM
Quote from: Don on April 06, 2007, 01:06:49 PM
I must not belong here then. ::)

Me neither.  I've tried Gilels, Richter, Cziffra, Van Cliburn... it's just not my fave.  I love Tchaikovsky, but the first PC is just so over the top...

If you want Tchaikovsky, try Mravinsky's set of symphonies 4-6.  That ought to do the trick ;D
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: BachQ on April 07, 2007, 12:52:40 PM
Tchaikovsky's 1st PC makes for a wonderful emetic (i.e., epicerastic or vomitory). (http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/wuerg/vomit-smiley-011.gif)
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Haffner on April 07, 2007, 12:55:29 PM
Mozart's Serenades and early String Quartets.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: The Emperor on April 07, 2007, 02:36:59 PM
I think some Arvo Pärt would be a good suggestion also.
Since post rock (which i love) relies much in atmosphere and ambience, i think pieces like cantus in the memory of Benjamin Britten, frates, Festina Lente would be good suggestions to the post rock lover.
Maybe Steve Reich would be also a great suggestion, post rock tend to be repetitive with lots of layers, so Mr. Reich, i think is a good suggestion also. Music for 18 musicians and eight lines (the only pieces i have, a shame!) are fine examples.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Siedler on April 08, 2007, 05:38:28 AM
Quote from: D Minor on April 07, 2007, 12:52:40 PM
Tchaikovsky's 1st PC makes for a wonderful emetic (i.e., epicerastic or vomitory). (http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/wuerg/vomit-smiley-011.gif)
Why  ::)
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Bogey on April 09, 2007, 07:49:19 PM
Quote from: D Minor on April 07, 2007, 12:52:40 PM
Tchaikovsky's 1st PC makes for a wonderful emetic (i.e., epicerastic or vomitory). (http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/wuerg/vomit-smiley-011.gif)

Did your emoticon just throw up a rubber chicken D?  Look at it closely now.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Haffner on April 10, 2007, 04:11:09 AM
Quote from: Bill on April 09, 2007, 07:49:19 PM
Did your emoticon just throw up a rubber chicken D?  Look at it closely now.


:D


Bill, your have eye of eagle, friend and grasshoppa.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: karlhenning on April 10, 2007, 04:25:04 AM
Quote from: Sungam on April 06, 2007, 06:57:53 AM
I have fallen away from the straight and narrow path that is classical music.  Now that I try to jump back into it, it burns!  I need something that will ease my mind back into the giant pool of classical goodness - any suggestions?

Shostakovich
Symphony No. 13, Opus 113, Babi Yar
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: BachQ on April 10, 2007, 06:31:06 AM
Quote from: Bill on April 09, 2007, 07:49:19 PM
Did your emoticon just throw up a rubber chicken D?  Look at it closely now.

Well . . . . . . by golly . . . . . .  :D
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Sungam on April 10, 2007, 06:57:06 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on April 10, 2007, 04:25:04 AM
Shostakovich
Symphony No. 13, Opus 113, Babi Yar


Would it be wrong to call Shostakovitch an owninator, master of all he surveys?

I'm getting sick of seeing my post quoted as having "strait" instead of "straight".  It is all editorial trickery, a conspiracy to sully my good name.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: karlhenning on April 10, 2007, 07:14:24 AM
Quote from: Sungam on April 10, 2007, 06:57:06 AM
I'm getting sick of seeing my post quoted as having "strait" instead of "straight".  It is all editorial trickery, a conspiracy to sully my good name.

I've corrected it in the quotation in my post.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Larry Rinkel on April 10, 2007, 07:32:31 AM
Quote from: Harry on April 06, 2007, 07:11:12 AM
Or to take it easy, some lute music, gently going over in the preludes by Chopin, or Mompou.
Be a man, be a classical man, be a classical music man. ;D

262 posts already, Harry? That's 65.5 a day. Slow down, man, you'll give yourself a coronary at this rate.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: karlhenning on April 11, 2007, 03:48:34 AM
Ah! The artist formerly known as dudldu!  8)
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Haffner on April 11, 2007, 05:10:14 AM
Quote from: Egebedieff on April 11, 2007, 01:42:41 AM
The Bizet Symphony in C is a little like having a fling.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PBbjvIfWCLg





I like that Bizet as well, I have it performed by the Royal Philharmonic (cheap cd, but sound is quite good!).
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: DavidW on April 23, 2007, 06:05:40 PM
I don't listen to classical music as frequently as I used to, so I kind of feel like i'm just easing back into it.  Bach and Beethoven hit the spot for me.  The orchestral suites, concertos, symphonies, piano music. :)
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Michel on May 03, 2007, 02:27:09 PM
Quote from: D Minor on April 06, 2007, 11:15:04 AM
Speaking of Piano Concertos: 

Brahms PC's 1/2
Mozart PC's 20/24/27
Mozart PC's 17/21/23
Rachmaninov PC's 2/3
Prokofiev PC 3
Beethoven PC's 4/5
Liszt Totentanz in d minor
Bach PC in d minor
Saint-Saens PC 2
Schumann PC
Grieg PC
Busoni PC
Chopin PC's 1/2
Ravel G Major

and even Mendy PC 1  :D


What on earth is the point in listeing a load of mainstream romantic piano concertos? You provide no information and little to help him make up his mind. Its just a list!
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Bruckner is God on May 16, 2007, 08:33:35 AM
My suggestion is Bruckner's second symphony conducted by Riccardo Chailly.
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: mahlertitan on May 16, 2007, 09:09:43 AM
Quote from: Bruckner is God on May 16, 2007, 08:33:35 AM
My suggestion is Bruckner's second symphony conducted by Riccardo Chailly.

Bruckner is not god, i think he would consider your opinion of him blasphemous 
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Maciek on May 16, 2007, 11:01:30 AM
I find it disturbing that Sungam hasn't been active for 3 weeks. Could that mean his mind actually melted? Even with so many of us trying to prevent it?
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Cato on May 16, 2007, 01:07:16 PM
Quote from: Bruckner is God on May 16, 2007, 08:33:35 AM
My suggestion is Bruckner's Second Symphony conducted by Riccardo Chailly.

Is this the Nowak edition?

The Second Symphony is guaranteed to cure what ails you in body and soul: it's a spiritual alarm clock!
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: BachQ on May 16, 2007, 01:30:07 PM
Quote from: DavidW on April 23, 2007, 06:05:40 PM
Bach and Beethoven hit the spot for me.  The orchestral suites, concertos, symphonies, piano music. :)

Very sensible!
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Steve on May 16, 2007, 05:46:23 PM
Quote from: Bruckner is God on May 16, 2007, 08:33:35 AM
My suggestion is Bruckner's second symphony conducted by Riccardo Chailly.

Have you heard the Karajan?
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Sungam on May 16, 2007, 05:48:40 PM
Thanks for the further suggestions.  I'll have to check out Bruckner's Second Symphony.

Also, why is it that Karajan was always able to get the orchestra to play hardcore? Is it really just the man?  Intimidation?  Crack Cocaine?

Btw, decent classical music < Beethoven < Bruckner < Mahler < God.  Not debatable. (lol, don't kill).
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Steve on May 16, 2007, 05:59:19 PM
Quote from: Sungam on May 16, 2007, 05:48:40 PM
Thanks for the further suggestions.  I'll have to check out Bruckner's Second Symphony.

Also, why is it that Karajan was always able to get the orchestra to play hardcore? Is it really just the man?  Intimidation?  Crack Cocaine?

Btw, decent classical music < Beethoven < Bruckner < Mahler < God.  Not debatable. (lol, don't kill).

Just head on over to youtube, where you can view some of his performances with the BPO. At points, he'll just stop, as if he's daring the orchestra to try him. Intidimdating indeed, he's one of the most electrifying conductors I've ever seen. Personally, I think it's due to the hair.  :)
Title: Re: My mind is melting!
Post by: Cato on May 16, 2007, 06:08:52 PM
Quote from: Sungam on May 16, 2007, 05:48:40 PM
Thanks for the further suggestions.  I'll have to check out Bruckner's Second Symphony.

Also, why is it that Karajan was always able to get the orchestra to play hardcore? Is it really just the man?  Intimidation?  Crack Cocaine?

Btw, decent classical music < Beethoven < Bruckner < Mahler < God.  Not debatable. (lol, don't kill).

< Beethoven < Schubert < Bruckner < Mahler < Schoenberg < God.  Not debatable:AMEN!   0:)