Classical Music

[Killa_ken]

I have recently been on the receiving end of much derision for my new found passion in classical music. Can anyone recommend some pieces that are similar to Dance of the knights or Rigoletto la donna something. I'm after something that's dramatic but not too distracting. Something that sounds powerful.


Thanks

 

[Cosimo]

Try Beethoven's Fifth, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, Mozart's symphony No 40 for starters.

 

[Killa_ken]

Good suggestions, liked the first and last. 1812 was kinda lame.

 

[trackrat]

Aram Khachaturian, sabre dance.

 

[Lysander]

I love Khatchaturian.

 

[William]

Everyone loves The Planets - Gustav Holst.

 

[Antar Bolaeisk]

Good suggestions, liked the first and last. 1812 was kinda lame.

Did you listen to it fully?

 

[Killa_ken]

I love Khatchaturian.

That was excellent

 

[lee32uk]

Wagner - Ride of the valkyries

 

[simisker]

You can't beat Russian composers for drama. Here's a nice introductory compilation:

 

[NuclearWinter]

I too recommend the great Russian composers, especially since you've already mentioned liking Prokofiev. Perhaps start with some of his other works and if you like them, focus on him and maybe a few other composers for a while. Try Rachmaninov too.

Also give some of the Mahler symphonies a listen, particularly the No.2 and No.6, may be on the complex side for beginners but everyone's different.

If you're a newcomer to classical and want to get a good taste then it might be worth using Last.fm, do an artist search for Prokofiev and enjoy what comes up (it will put together a radio station for you based on the artist you searched for). Take note of the composers and pieces you like so you can then investigate them further.

 

[Greenlizard0]

Everyone loves The Planets - Gustav Holst.

Yeap Jupiter's awesome.

How about some of the summer sections of Vivaldi's Four Seasons?

 

[MidnightLamp]

Try Rachmaninov too.

Also give some of the Mahler symphonies a listen, particularly the No.2

second that, and mahler 5, and mahler 9!

great advice in the quoted post overall really.
once you find the pieces you like, lastfm, amazon or wiki similar. can go on forever thats the joy of classical music!

 

[blix]

Few Beethoven pieces:

Missa Solemnis:

Piano sonata:

Choral fantasy:

 

[Col_M]

Beethoven - 5th Symphony 1st Movement
Beethoven - 9th Symphony 4th Movement
Tchaikovsky - Nutcracker Suite
Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture
Dvorak - 9th Symphony 2nd Movement - You'll probably know this better as the Hovis music
Dvorak - 9th Symphony 4th Movement

It is difficult to "get into" classical music as there is just so much and you don't know where to start. I quite like listening to classical music but I just listen to what I've managed find randomly. I'm thinking of getting some sort of compilation CD, noting what I like and going from there checking out composer's other works.

In fact with the symphonies I'd go as far as saying each one is amazing, I just picked out the movements that I especially like.

 

[singist]

Wow! so much stuff out there; depends what rocks your boat etc. I'm from an Opera background so if there's anything I might suggest, let me know; I suppose that Puccini is full of melodies so start there.

Some pieces that I've performed many times but never fail to move me are:
Carl Orf/Carmina Burana/ O Fortuna ....... loads of recordings on Youtube.
Saint Saens/Samson and Delilah/Bacchanale.

For sad/melancholic stuff try these. (even your stoney heart can't resist)

Mascagni/Cavalleria Rusticana/Intermezzo.
Samuel Barber/Adagio for strings.

 

[Vegetarian]

Im a classical musician - Dont think some of the pieces listed are the best... esp Beethoven who IMO is a 2nd rate composer.

try as a start

Mozart- Requiem
Mozart - Marrage of Figaro
Mozart - Clarinet Concerto
Verdi - Requiem
Tchaikovsky - francesca di rimini
Stravinsky - Firebird
John Williams - Close encounter and Empire Strikes Back soundtracks
Prokofiev - Symphony no 5
Shostakovich - symphony no 5 and 10

IM me if you want some more