Does anyone here like Classical Music?

[The Succubus]

I get very strange comments from the people I talk with online because my iTunes library has a large compliment of classical music in it. I don't claim to listen to it exclusively - I do like other types of music - but I think it's partly because of my age and general scruffy appearence.

A few of my favourites include:

Holst - The Planets (*all* the Planets <3). Mars is the go-to song if you want a grand entrance for something. With Neptune, Holst really managed to nail the sense of isolation and distance - a beautifully haunting piece.

Sergei Prokofiev - Montagues & Capulets (also called The Knight's Dance). A very dark, powerful and menacing piece of music, the whole thing sizzles with wrath.

Polovtsian Dances - Prince Igor. A wonderfully peaceful piece of music, with the clarinet solo adding pleasant spark of whimsy aginst the string backdrop.

Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata (this piece seems hard-wired to my emotional centre :smallfrown::smallredface:)

Are there any other classical fans on here with recommendations?

[Killer Angel]

from now on, cello (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgAlQuqzl8o&feature=relmfu) will be your favourite instrument.

On a more serious note: Antonin Dvorak (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvcFlLegKSI&feature=fvwrel)

[Nameless]

I love Classical music, Bach and Beethoven especially. Vivaldi's Seasons are quite awesome as well. Clint Mansell is a Contemporary Classical composer I really like. [insert obligatory Lux Aeterna fangasm] :smalltongue:

[The Succubus]

I love Classical music, Bach and Beethoven especially. Vivaldi's Seasons are quite awesome as well. Clint Mansell is a Contemporary Classical composer I really like. [insert obligatory Lux Aeterna fangasm] :smalltongue:

I am sad to say that Vivaldi has been permanently ruined for me. One of my former bosses had "Summer" as her call holding music and inevitably would chew me out after picking up the phone. It still gives me a nervous twitch when I hear it. -.-

See below - properly identified the blighter this time.

[Halberd]

I would recommend Stravinsky; his Rite of Spring (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGFRwKQqbk4) is an absolute masterpiece.

[Iruka]

Holst - The Planets (*all* the Planets <3). Mars is the go-to song if you want a grand entrance for something. With Neptune, Holst really managed to nail the sense of isolation and distance - a beautifully haunting piece.



I like Jupiter best, it's just so cheerful. His First Suite in E-flat and Second Suite in F are also quite enjoyabole, especially when you get to play them yourself. :smallbiggrin:

Carmina Burana by Carl Orff is also very awesome, I'm sure you'll know a least one of the pieces from it.

I'd also recommend Alexander Borodin, especially his In the Steppes of Central Asia and Symphony No. 3 in A minor.

And of course Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky, orchestrated by Maurice Ravel.

Also Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz, especially thze fifth movement Songe d'une nuit de sabbat. Gives me goose bumps every time.

[Weezer]

I tend to like more intense pieces, Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra are two examples of what Inmean.

[Radar]

There is nothing wrong with classical music. It would be very weird, if there was nothing worth listening to until 20th century.

The melancholy of wiener walz:
Schostakovich (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjxT-LT0_QY), Kazanecki (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWWhJR3J8Qc) (three-in-one actually - the very best one starts at 4:15), Khachaturian (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJQJOs7ax0I), Kilar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsaufVKyOxc&feature=related).

The power only an orchestra or heavy instruments can bring:
Mussorgsky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEDfZgDPS8), Tchaikovsky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2W1Wi2U9sQ), Strauss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a32AahqKsrw), Widor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtj300j129k).

Also: one of my favorite pieces by Mozart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKZr3ExeXUc) and this little gem by Schubert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mnrHf7p0jM&feature=related).

[Kneenibble]

Sergei Prokofiev - Montagues & Capulets (also called The Knight's Dance). A very dark, powerful and menacing piece of music, the whole thing sizzles with wrath.

One of my favourites too. In fact I'm going to listen to it right now (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUmq1cpcglQ), and fantasize about mountainous giants with thunder and holocauste in their eyes and sooty shag beards, dancing intimately.


Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata (this piece seems hard-wired to my emotional centre :smallfrown::smallredface:)

I shall play this for you on the piano during my inevitable sex tour of England. Yes all three movements.

I gravitate the most towards baroque, though. I like Bach's Concerto in d minor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-KyL2gMxV8) and Brandenburg #5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK6-x9sdEYo) and all of Well-Tempered Clavier. Bach is my favouritest of anything, ever.

[Philistine]

I get very strange comments from the people I talk with online because my iTunes library has a large compliment of classical music in it. I don't claim to listen to it exclusively - I do like other types of music - but I think it's partly because of my age and general scruffy appearence.

Oddly enough, I get the exact opposite reaction with some frequency: nobody's surprised when Bach pops up in my playlist, but eyes bug out when the very next track is rock (or even rap!).

Anyway. The lovely thing about "classical music" is that, with a library spanning hundreds of years and a dizzying variety of styles, there's something out there for just about any mood. I'm quite fond of Beethoven's Symphony No.6... well, to tell the truth I prefer the 7th overall, but that final movement of the Pastorale is one of the most beautiful things that is a thing.

[grimbold]

Wagners Ring Cycle changed my life...

i also like Barber
Yngwie Malmsteen has a classical album out that is Oo

Christopher Lee's classical stuff is also Oo

ermm otherwise i'm writing a symphony right now...
i really am influenced by some of Ensiferum's symphonic pieces

i also really like stravinksy and bach
and PAGANINI (oh lord i love him)

lets see here (goes to itunes library)
i lik Debussy too

does Reich count as classical? because i LOVE him

[The Succubus]

For those looking for a slightly more modern take on Classical, have a listen to Two Steps From Hell. Some of their stuff is fantastically exciting - Black Blade, Tristram, To Glory!

Mussorgsky - It's a track I've heard in the past but never knew the name of. The Strauss piece I've always known as the theme from 2001 - it's good to know it's proper title at last. ^-^

@My favourite budgie - I look forward to your fingerwork, my avian friend. Please come to England soon. I really enjoyed the Concerto you liked. :smallsmile:

EDIT: I owe Vivaldi an apology. I've just gone through one of my classical anthology albums and it's NOT the Four Seasons that traumatised me so. The blame lies instead with this piece:

"Serenade No. 13 In G Major, K. 525 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik": I. Allegro"

:smallmad:

Fortunately, I was able to listen to "Winter" to calm down afterwards. :smalltongue:

[Nekura]

+1 for Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata. I also like such things as greensleeves.

[Wyntonian]

I've caught myself listening to more and more Gustav Mahler lately. The Second symphony, in particular.

[Ravens_cry]

I grew up on the stuff, practically literally, being mostly disconnected from mainstream pop culture.
That being said, I don't really know much about it from a historical perspective, but it's still something nice to listen to.
Some of my favourites inlcude the New World Symphony, the Planets, Fur Elise, Slavonic Dances, and Canon in D.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

I would recommend Stravinsky; his Rite of Spring (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGFRwKQqbk4) is an absolute masterpiece.

Very yes.



And of course Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky, orchestrated by Maurice Ravel.

Also very very very yes.


Bach and Beethoven especially. Vivaldi's Seasons are quite awesome as well.

Yup.


I've caught myself listening to more and more Gustav Mahler lately. The Second symphony, in particular.

Also yes.

Also Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ1lqjR-txI), and Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYSbxRiUgOo), both featured in brilliant Disney features, Fantasia for Night on Bald Mountain, and Fantasia 2000 for Firebird Suite.

Edit: the Night on Bald Mountain clip ends at the 9 minute mark. I've never ever listened to the Ave Maria, not in the more-than-a-decade of watching this movie.

[Dienekes]

Personally, Night on Bald Mountain is my favorite piece of music ever written. And I am a huge classical fan. My only problem is the radio over here has only one classical station, and it sucks. So my list of classical music I actually listen to is in total about 7 cds I happened to pick up.

[Anarion]

Already some very good recommendations in this thread. Yay classical music! Also, apologies for no links, I'm at work, so YouTube is not happening. Just google the names though.

On a completely selfish note (I play the French Horn), I would recommend the Strauss Horn Concerto (in E flat if memory serves, but he only wrote one). All of Mozart's horn concertos are also excellent.

Okay, more generally, I would suggest Verdi and Puccini for opera. Madame Butterfly is a classic, although I think Nessun Dorma from Turandot is the most beautiful of arias. For Verdi, look up the La Traviata Drinking Song. It's good and it's slightly ribald.

In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt by Grieg is a classic. You'll recognize it, they used it in Looney Tunes.

If you want something a bit more, well hardcore is the wrong word for classical music, but let's say really in depth. Try any of Mahler's symphonies. I rather like Mahler 7.



On a more serious note: Antonin Dvorak (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvcFlLegKSI&feature=fvwrel)

Oh yeah, and the entire New World Symphony is amazing.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

I have the Rite of Spring and the Firebird Suite and Pictures of an Exhibition and every single Beethoven symphony on vinyl now, thanks to my grandparents having extras! :smallbiggrin:

[Cyrano]

Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B Minor
Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor
Brahms Cello Sonata in E Minor
Debussy's Cello Sonata

The first three are pretty standard, but they're standards for a reason. Debussy's sonata is an almost frenetic, mind-bending exercise in emotional whiplash done as only Debussy can, and it's absurdly great in my opinion.

In case you were wondering, why yes, I do play it! (Not nearly well enough to do Dvorak, or Elgar, or Debussy, or most of the good stuff, mind.) Those are probably my favorites of the repertoire, barring late-Romantic Russian pieces that flit in out of my top spots and one or another of the Bach Suites for cello and all the rest of that good stuff. Those four are just consistently in my top spots, but if you like cello, there are a LOT more tasty tasty pieces.

In case you are wondering about good recordings to check out: Rostropovich is essentially always excellent, a very good bet. Jacqueline du Pre's Elgar is considered THE performance of Elgar, but the rest of her recordings aren't half bad either. Janos Starker is nice too. If you want those Bach suites, or any other baroque recordings, done in baroque style, instead try Jaap ter Linden - or, well, there;s a lot of names that fit that criterion, but I like ter Linden a lot personally.


And if you want things that aren't just cello: Allow me to second:

Pretty much all of Beethoven (but especially the later stuff)
Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique,
The Rite of Spring and The Firebird

Also, if your tastes include the less orchestral, Arensky's Piano Trio No. 1, Tchaikovsky's Piano Trio in A minor, and especially, especially, especially, my if-you-listen-to-no-other-thing-in-this-post-listen-to-this piece, Mendelssohn's Piano Trio Op. 49 in D minor.

[WalkingTarget]

Good to see some love for Pictures at an Exhibition. It's one of my favorites and doesn't seen to be well known compared to a lot of others.

I'm partial to the original (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohpVs7eaFB0) version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C0iasbIQk0) for solo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRdXsvTbkpE) piano (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47L3lrE3l0o) as well, though. Everybody seems to only know the orchestral arrangement.

[Feytalist]

My mum is a music teacher, so I was inundated by classical music pretty much since before I can remember. Mostly the Romantics; Strauss, Chopin, Liszt, Mendellsohn, so on.

Paganini is great. As is Barber. Probably my favourite piece of classical music is his Adagio for Strings (the choral version is called Agnus Dei apparently). Everyone who's ever played Homeworld would agree.

I own Symphonies No. 5, 6 and 9 from Beethoven, all performed by the Prague Philharmonic, Pastoral being my overall favourite. His Moonlight Sonata as well, especially the third movement.

Strauss' waltzes are great too. Tchaikovsky's work as well. His ballets (the music is wonderfully moving) and I've got his Piano Concerto No.1 lying around here somewhere. I love those opening piano chords.

Other than that I just have a huge bunch of piano pieces I'd never be able to name. Thanks mum. Heh.

[Tvtyrant]

Personally, Night on Bald Mountain is my favorite piece of music ever written. And I am a huge classical fan. My only problem is the radio over here has only one classical station, and it sucks. So my list of classical music I actually listen to is in total about 7 cds I happened to pick up.

I love Night on Bald Mountain! I listen to it more than all other classical music combined >_>

In general I wouldn't say I am too into classical music, mostly because I haven't taken the time to understand it.

[Killer Angel]

Ravel's Bolero is also worth mentioning. Its slow, obsessive crescendo is absolutely a masterpiece.

[Mauve Shirt]

I love Beethoven's stuff. Mozart's pretty good too, but man, every time I listen to Beethoven I can't help but think Dang... that guy knew what he was doing. It makes me understand the time when people went to Orchestra concerts for the same reason we go to see films: to hear a story in the music, and to be emotionally affected by it.
His seventh symphony is severely underrated, and I can't remember the name of that piano piece in which he just starts rocking out, but it's one of my favorites.

[Feytalist]

I can't believe I forgot to mention this: Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLTManObB40).

[Klose_the_Sith]

I presume he's referred to as classical, so go and check out my uncle! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJcU3tuY24g&feature=related). (Composer/violinist in the middle of that rabble)

My taste in Classical Music is very limited, because I only really enjoy military marches (and those for equal parts theme, mood and historical resonance).

For an example I offer Klar Zum Gefecht! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq6vxPiT5hQ), the march traditionally played when a German battleship is cleared for action.

[Anarion]

I can't believe I forgot to mention this: Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLTManObB40).

United Airlines has ruined that piece forever.

Summertime and pretty much everything from Porgy and Bess, however, is still amazing.

[Radar]

I presume he's referred to as classical, so go and check out my uncle! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJcU3tuY24g&feature=related). (Composer/violinist in the middle of that rabble.
Really nice! This piece (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2bpNgK0Cnc&feature=related) is also good.

My taste in Classical Music is very limited, because I only really enjoy military marches (and those for equal parts theme, mood and historical resonance).

For an example I offer Klar Zum Gefecht! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq6vxPiT5hQ), the march traditionally played when a German battleship is cleared for action.
This means you probably know Strauss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHFf7NIwOHQ) and Suppe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PFcwxzYzpc&feature=related) piece. There is also a very good march by Berlioz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOfm_qC1rNk) and Tchaikovsky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMGKtXElgvA). Granted, those aren't strictly military marches, so if the militaristic feel is more important, then you could check those pieces by Krzesimir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_PjS90LvEw) Dębski (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU9awaRxqCI) (music made for a historical movie) or Russian (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEU2dOs-wvU&feature=related) Army (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S81wGZVPnZo&feature=related) Choir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NikTc1N8H2U) (if it counts as classical music).

[Clertar]

For a commercial, but still neat (if a little cheesy):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&hl=en&v=GBaHPND2QJg&gl=US

[Klose_the_Sith]

Really nice! This piece (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2bpNgK0Cnc&feature=related) is also good.

I like how you responded with a video taken from my Mum's youtube page :smalltongue:


This means you probably know Strauss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHFf7NIwOHQ) and Suppe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PFcwxzYzpc&feature=related) piece. There is also a very good march by Berlioz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOfm_qC1rNk) and Tchaikovsky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMGKtXElgvA).

All good pieces that I'm familiar with. Sometimes it doesn't have to be too militaristic, but other times I want to be able to picture my enemies burning en masse for daring to ever oppose me :smallamused:

Y'know, it all depends on mood.


so if the militaristic feel is more important, then you could check those pieces by Krzesimir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_PjS90LvEw) Dębski (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU9awaRxqCI) (music made for a historical movie) or Russian (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEU2dOs-wvU&feature=related) Army (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S81wGZVPnZo&feature=related) Choir (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NikTc1N8H2U) (if it counts as classical music).

For me the Red Army Choir sits sort of in between the light hearted marching songs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJybwgtR970&feature=related) and the full blown German insanities (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zikcHnimsxk) that I love, falling in this other area. I'm quite fond of the GWS Giants team song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqpwxO9y-uQ) which isn't too dissimilar, though :smallwink:

[Thufir]

"Serenade No. 13 In G Major, K. 525 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik": I. Allegro"

:smallmad:

Even without any special negative context, that piece can get kind of annoying.


Now, personally, being a singer, a lot of my favourite classical pieces are choral ones. So Beethoven's Ninth, Mahler's Eighth, Mozart's Requiem, Faure's Requiem, etc. Oh, Messiah. I should really get into more opera as well. Give me some time to think and I could definitely go on.
For purely instrumental music, a lot of my favourites are the more calm and soothing ones, generally from the baroque period. Things like Pachelbel's Canon, Handel's Water Music, Dance of the Blessed Spirits and the like.
And also, a bunch of other things which other people have already mentioned as well.

[Kindablue]

I gravitate the most towards baroque, though. I like Bach's Concerto in d minor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-KyL2gMxV8) and Brandenburg #5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK6-x9sdEYo) and all of Well-Tempered Clavier. Bach is my favouritest of anything, ever.
What's your opinion of Weny Carlos's music?

United Airlines has ruined that piece forever.
How about this? (http://youtube.com/watch?v=XGqyqYhK1PQ)

Summertime and pretty much everything from Porgy and Bess, however, is still amazing.
Bess, You Is My Woman Now and It Ain't Necessarily So are my favorite parts.

[Wavelab]

I love classical music. My favorite composer is Richard Wagner, known for hits such as Ride of the Valkyries. He's amazing.

[Kneenibble]

What's your opinion of Weny Carlos's music?

Intellectually, I appreciate her a great deal. Her compositions are brilliant and if I recall my music history correctly, Switched On Bach did double duty to revive interest in Bach and to turn people on to the moog.

Aesthetically, it's hard to say. Is it a kind of uncanny valley effect? It can't not be spooky, no matter how sophisticated and lovely. And yet I enjoy the spooky: but it makes Bach just ever so slightly camp.
Example. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJo5q-SbvT0) [Not her own work, but gives the idea]

What do you think, that you ask?

[Ravens_cry]

Mozart's Requiem Mass in D Minor.
My first thought was "The dirge of a god." Then I just stopped thinking and listened.

[The Succubus]

I'm not all that fond of marching music, tends to be a little repetitive for my tastes, rather than the swirling and ever changing soundscapes of most classical music.

That said, I have a soft spot for Radetsky (?spelling) March as it conjures up memories of 1960's, bright multicoloured capes & umbrellas and giant scary white balloons. Bonus points to anyone that gets the reference. :smalltongue:

EDIT: You, this is kind of tempting me to take up an instrument again. Not guitar - I lack the fingerwork for the complicated chords but maybe the violin I played in secondary school. :smallsmile:

[Iruka]

That said, I have a soft spot for Radetsky (?spelling) March as it conjures up memories of 1960's, bright multicoloured capes & umbrellas and giant scary white balloons. Bonus points to anyone that gets the reference. :smalltongue:


Almost, it's Radetzky. And I got it, the scary balloon tipped me off. :smallbiggrin:

Speaking of guitars:

Concierto de Aranjuez (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8LL1x6J2rU&feature=plcp)
I can't access the other movements unfortunately, but check them out too. They are quite a contrast to the melancholic Adagio.

[grimbold]

the hotel i stayed in last week had a paganini and vivaldi room
:D

[Kindablue]

Anyone else like Tōru Takemitsu (http://youtube.com/watch?v=TU0AlNStgfw) or something similar? Listening to his music and knowing nothing about him, he seems to me to have been a composer just as comfortable (and more importantly good) at creating massive, Mahler-esque works as he was at sparse, Japanese soundscapes. Ran (http://youtube.com/watch?v=UGG7yC3eB_Y), Nami no Bon (http://youtube.com/watch?v=assN4do9TSo), Black Rain (http://youtube.com/watch?v=8OVRS6VEpME), Bryce (http://youtube.com/watch?v=ItHOY0xY4HM), and Equinox (http://youtube.com/watch?v=sviToDyH8dQ) are a few of my favorites that I could find on YouTube.

---

There is a solo version of The Concierto de Aranjuez (http://youtube.com/watch?v=na5eHjOHs3U) and a guitar version of Pictures at an Exhibition (http://youtube.com/watch?v=wa8Ghy1Pz2k) that are worth their length. But my favorite guitar piece at the moment is one of the first, the Gran Sonata Eroica (http://youtube.com/watch?v=FUf9zsk7Dvc) by Mauro Giuliani.


Intellectually, I appreciate her a great deal. Her compositions are brilliant and if I recall my music history correctly, Switched On Bach did double duty to revive interest in Bach and to turn people on to the moog.

Aesthetically, it's hard to say. Is it a kind of uncanny valley effect? It can't not be spooky, no matter how sophisticated and lovely. And yet I enjoy the spooky: but it makes Bach just ever so slightly camp.
Example. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJo5q-SbvT0) [Not her own work, but gives the idea]

What do you think, that you ask?

I love her music. I think the whole idea was meant to be a bit silly and lighthearted from the start (check out the album covers), but even so, I prefer some of her versions to the originals, like the Concerto Brandeboursois from the album you mentioned. (And because I don't feel like editing it, her name is Wendy Carlos. Key stuck.) Webern's take on The Musical Offering (http://youtube.com/watch?v=xobJeC4SnRA) is much less silly, but I feel the same about it.

[Radar]

From composers I recently discovered (in no particular order):
Walther von (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_zjgZJOFl4&feature=related) der Vogelweide (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzXv7I-Zav8&feature=related),
Mieczyslaw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGD1q1VTeX0&feature=related) Karlowicz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqlo0gvaAr0&feature=related),
Jean (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfBTiv3WGU0&feature=related) Sibelius (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVokwvf0ONI&feature=related) (amazingly smooth compositions).

Anyone else like Tōru Takemitsu (http://youtube.com/watch?v=TU0AlNStgfw) or something similar? Listening to his music and knowing nothing about him, he seems to me to have been a composer just as comfortable (and more importantly good) at creating massive, Mahler-esque works as he was at sparse, Japanese soundscapes. Ran (http://youtube.com/watch?v=UGG7yC3eB_Y), Nami no Bon (http://youtube.com/watch?v=assN4do9TSo), Black Rain (http://youtube.com/watch?v=8OVRS6VEpME), Bryce (http://youtube.com/watch?v=ItHOY0xY4HM), and Equinox (http://youtube.com/watch?v=sviToDyH8dQ) are a few of my favorites that I could find on YouTube.
I didn't venture in that direction often, but there is Sawai Hikaru (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AieKHO99D1E&feature=related) and other koto artists. Not quite the same though.

[WoodStock_PV]

I love classical music!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi99oDALtRU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stcLD6SWe4w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k05hHDIoCjM&feature=related

:smallbiggrin:

On a more serious note, I do love classical music since I was young. Since pretty much the major classics have already been posted with a few exceptions I'll put some good ones here that I really enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75x6DncZDgI <-- This is Rubinstein take on Fantaisie Impromptu, one of my favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqSulR9Fymg <-- Wilhelm Kempff playing the 3rd movement of the moonlight sonata, the best version imo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTomUb3r1m0 <-- The most famous brazilian opera, this introduction is solely instrumental and a really nice piece of work.

Hope I added some good stuff to the thread. o/

[The Succubus]

Certainly did - it's been years since I watched Tom & Jerry. Jerry was an evil little sod, wasn't he.....

The piece of music used in that cartoon though was a very wide mixture of styles. One moment it's all solemn and deep, next it's bouncy and whimsical. Very strange. =)

The thing about classical music is that it doesn't have to be from years and years ago - the Zelda theme sounded wonderful when played by an orchestra. ^_^

EDIT: Someone mentioned Greensleeves earlier. Found this truly delectable piano version. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5ItNxpwChE)

[grimbold]

does anyone else here now apocalyptica? classical meets metal FTW

[TechnOkami]

*raises hand*

I like classical music. I'm very fond of Philip Glass.

But really, classical music is just one of those genres where you put anything on and it's good to listen to.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Speakin' of classical-meets-modern. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihloFPQxjkE)


... I have no taste. But I freaking adore this.

Ok, it's not really classical. But, um, it's still violin? Ok, electric violin, with a whole pile of effects too. SO SHOOT ME.

[grimbold]

*raises hand*

I like classical music. I'm very fond of Philip Glass.

But really, classical music is just one of those genres where you put anything on and it's good to listen to.

phillip glass is a god :smallwink:

[TechnOkami]

phillip glass is a god :smallwink:

Yeah, he's definitely up there.

For people who haven't heard his music: Listen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imbwn6iVryQ) and (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FniHgiyaTY) enjoy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il4VDf-ugPI).

[grimbold]

DO IT
DO IT OR DIE UNFULFILLED

maybe i should tone down my glass worship :smalltongue:

[TechnOkami]

DO IT
DO IT OR DIE UNFULFILLED

maybe i should tone down my glass worship :smalltongue:

Mmyes, perhaps a tad.

[The Succubus]

Listened to Bolero for the first time this week. It's quite a stirring piece - whenever I hear it my imagination supplies images of huge golden ballrooms with with men and women in Edwardian costume dancing together.

[Feytalist]

Listened to Bolero for the first time this week. It's quite a stirring piece - whenever I hear it my imagination supplies images of huge golden ballrooms with with men and women in Edwardian costume dancing together.

It's another favourite of mine. But it's been used in so many commercials and stuff (at least over here) that it kinda kills the impact a bit. Don't you just hate it when that happens?

[The Succubus]

"The quickest way to ruin a composer's legacy is to put it on an answering machine."


- The Succubus

[Aedilred]

I like classical music*, but I find the "entry level" intimidating. I find there's a big gap between people who hardly know any (usually just the "greatest hits" and sometimes not even them) and people who know All The Music with not much of a gap in between. Moreover, it's harder to consume classical music in an "accessible" fashion due to length and variation in, say, volume. Not to mention the cost of assembling a decent collection.

It is an ambition of mine to develop an interest in classical music, but it's something I'm working up to rather than something that's happening now.


*Obviously, this is an asinine statement, because there's a lot of variety. But of the "classical" stuff I get on with, it tends to be classical or romantic.

[The Succubus]

It was a youtube video called "The Ballad of Mike Haggar" that kindled my interest in classical music. I thought the sound track for it was absolutely amazing, featuring tracks by ES Posthumous and Two Steps From Hell. Both of them are modern orchestral pieces - very little in the way of electric guitars, synths, etc, just an orchestra doing rowdy envigorating music. They might be a good starting point for you - look for "Two Steps From Hell - Invincible" and "Archangel".

Oddly enough, a lot of modern games have some rather nice orchestral pieces in - Witcher 2 being one example. Even World of Warcraft has some nice bits to listen to when you're not spamming spells - see "Nightsong" on the Cataclysm album and "Sylvanas Lament" for a lovely choir piece. <3

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Other games with great soundtracks: Final Fantasy X, Civilization IV, Victoria II, and the various Halo themes.

There's actually a travelling show called Video Games Live that does soundtracks with a choir and orchestra. Epic things like the Civ IV intro music, sung live by a choir, and Nintendo Medley, all kinda cool things.

[grimbold]

There's actually a travelling show called Video Games Live that does soundtracks with a choir and orchestra. Epic things like the Civ IV intro music, sung live by a choir, and Nintendo Medley, all kinda cool things.

that sounds amazing!

[Kindablue]

Other games with great soundtracks: Final Fantasy X, Civilization IV, Victoria II, and the various Halo themes.

There's actually a travelling show called Video Games Live that does soundtracks with a choir and orchestra. Epic things like the Civ IV intro music, sung live by a choir, and Nintendo Medley, all kinda cool things.

Distant Worlds is the same thing with Final Fantasy music. Here's a decent enough recording of one of their songs: Suteki Da Ne (http://youtube.com/watch?v=dT1ozpZQl-s). I'm sure I'd like Disney movies a lot more if they were also incomprehensible to me. And speaking of changing subjects gracefully, I think Johannes Möller is one of the best new composers and one of the best performing guitarists around. I'd love to see him live. His music has a beautiful lyricism to it: Whispered by the wind (http://youtube.com/watch?v=C1kctXIxfec).

[Lycunadari]

I also get strange looks when friends see the music on my iPod- Debussy and Tchaikovsky between Sonata Arctica and Blind Guardian. :smallbiggrin:
I love the music of Ludovico (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy-Yp5MCzzg) Einaudi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB3wgiaOOvA). I have the sheet music to the album "Nightbook", and I love to play it. It's so calming.
My favorite of Two Steps from Hell are Will we ever meet again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsXe0cfJf7E), Magika (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbAt34gxdB0) and Jump (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0tOM9-NDnQ) (although the last one probably doesn't qualify as classical...). I love these songs. But I like nearly everything from TSFH. :smallsmile:




Oddly enough, a lot of modern games have some rather nice orchestral pieces in - Witcher 2 being one example. Even World of Warcraft has some nice bits to listen to when you're not spamming spells - see "Nightsong" on the Cataclysm album and "Sylvanas Lament" for a lovely choir piece. <3

Yes, World of Warcraft has a beautiful (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhrxGCMzRL0) soundtrack (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyIliL2Ciss).

[Archonic Energy]

most played song on my iPod is: Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. LFO playing.
for the record number 2 is "birdhouse in yor soul"
apart from that i have about 150 pieces of classical music on my iPod and the rest being various other genres. I'm a particular fan of Philip Glass, i think that his use of synthetic organs and repeating parts is very... erm, good.

yeah, i'm not the best at articulating my thoughts but i do enjoy some classical every now and then.