Dikaiosyne Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 This kind of hit me in a roundabout way. First of all, I picked up Civilization 4 and it has been consuming vast portions of my time. My only complains so far is the lack of a "Philosophical/Industrial" Civ to flex my Objectivist muscles on, and that Alexander (the Macedonean) is the only leader the Greeks have to offer (Where is Perocles!). One of the things this game has is a magnificent soundtrack, and when I reached the Industrial Era, it started playing Dvorak's New World Symphony and I remembered just how much I loved that piece of music, and has re-opened my thrist for classical music, in addition to the modern pop music I love so much. So I was just wondering what some of the people on this board, who seem to have very good taste in everything else, favourite pieces of classical were. I know there is a "Favourite Music" Thread, but I was wondering specifically about that of a classical variety. Mine: The New World Symphony by Dvorak (as mentioned above) Beethoven's 7th Symphony Wagner's Die Walkurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristopherSchlegel Posted November 2, 2005 Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Beethoven's 7th Symphony Also, mine! The 7th (A Major) is my favorite work by my favorite composer. It spans the extreme ranges of emotion: from the heights of glorious triumph, down to the depths of tragic despair, then back to the damn near unbelievable glory & thunder of the triumphant finale. Wow. Beethoven is the master craftsman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elenyel Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Jupiter, from The Planets, by Holst. The Firebird Suite, by Stravinsky Rachmaninoff's 2nd and 3rd symphonies Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dylan3206 Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Prelude from Die Miestersinger von Nurnberg-Wagner 2nd Symphony-Rachmaninoff 8th Symphony-Dvorak Six Suites for Unaccompanied cello-Bach Marche Slav-Tchaikovsky I play cello, so I particularly enjoy the six suites. The mix of beauty and technical difficulty is quite incredible, especially in the 5th and 6th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Styles2112 Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Beethoven's Fifth (Cliche, but it just IS that good) Stravinsky, "Rite of Spring" (Particularly the second movement) Vivaldi, "The 4 Seasons" (Winter still gives me chills < no pun intended) Holst, "The Planets" (I always liked the motion of Mars) Grieg, "In the Hall of the Mountain King" (It's funny that just a simple repeated line could be so INTERESTING) There's more, but I struggle to think of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate T. Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Haydn in general, but esp. the Cello and Violin Concertos Vivaldi, Four Seasons along with some of his other Violin Concertos Smetana, Moldov Dvorak, New World Symphony Beethoven, 7th Symphony (can't beat the second movement!) Saint-Saens, Violin Concerto #3 (esp. the 3rd movement) Elgar, Serenade for Strings in E minor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspector Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Grieg, "In the Hall of the Mountain King" (It's funny that just a simple repeated line could be so INTERESTING) Isn't that Wagner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristopherSchlegel Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Isn't that Wagner? No. It's part of one of Edvard Grieg's "Peer Gynt Suites". You can preview it here on TowerRecords. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capitalism Forever Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Handel's Royal Fireworks Music Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto in A Minor Pachelbel's Canon Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspector Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 No. It's part of one of Edvard Grieg's "Peer Gynt Suites". You can preview it here on TowerRecords. Seems I've been mistaken about that for a while! Hmmm, now I have to check out Greig and see what else he's done... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristopherSchlegel Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 Seems I've been mistaken about that for a while! Hmmm, now I have to check out Greig and see what else he's done... Thanks! I've always considered Grieg to be a kind of "junior-league Tchaikovsky". Which is NOT an insult! In my estimation, I consider it a compliment! If you check out "Anitra's Dance" (another of the "Peer Gynt" tunes) you can hear the influence. Also, the A Minor Piano Concerto main theme! That's why I linked that specific disc: it's a decent "Greatest Hits" introduction for those unfamiliar with Grieg's music. You're welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles T. Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto (The Emporer Concerto) Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major Shostakovich's "Festive Overture" Copland's "Appalachian Spring" Bizet's First Symphony For those who are unaware, you can sign up on "Listen Rhapsody" and stream 25 free tracks per month, no obligations of any kind. A good way to sample music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyedison Posted November 4, 2005 Report Share Posted November 4, 2005 Beethoven 9th Symphony 4th Movement Beethoven 5th Symphony 1rst Movement Beethoven 9th Symphony 2nd Movement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deedlebee Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Pachebel's Canon in D was my first favorite. Bach's Cello Suite no. 1 (prelude) was currently featured in Master and Commander. Love it! Strauss's "Emperor's Waltz" always makes me dance. Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Trumpets in C Major is lively and upbeat. Respighi's "Pines of Rome" is wonderfully majestic. Handel's "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" is a very quick and light piece. Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" paints a wonderful story. Stravinsky's Firebird suite is also a favorite of mine. And the possibly-authored-by Jeremiah Clarke, "Trumpet Voluntary" is positively regal and still quite cheery. Also cello suites (my favorite instrument followed closely by brass) and just about everything by Bach that's not exclusively on the organ (the Brandenburg Concerto's (no. 3 esp) come to mind) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sczarj Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 ronso veneziano symphony number 9 beethoven chopin - fantasie impromptu debussy claire de lune/ reverie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Styles2112 Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 I need to go back and listen to the "New World Symphony" It's been a long while since I've heard it, and I don't even remember if I liked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proverb Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Mahler's Fifth symphony is an experience to behold. Anything Lizst is sure to please for the piano lovers out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Styles2112 Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 Liszt was a little too much "sound" for me. While technically amazing, just too many notes in a small amount of space. Much like speed metal drumming, in my mind. Have to respect that kind of talent, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAS Posted November 16, 2005 Report Share Posted November 16, 2005 (edited) Beethoven's 9th, 7th and 6th Symphonies + Piano Concertos (plus just about anything else) Bach Brandenburg Concertos Mozart #40, Eine Kleine Nach Music Mendelsson A midsummer nights dream Vivaldi 4 Seasons (Spring) Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture Edited November 16, 2005 by NAS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam Man Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Grieg, "In the Hall of the Mountain King" (It's funny that just a simple repeated line could be so INTERESTING) Indeed... have you listened to Maurice Ravel's "Bolero"? The same melody is relentlessly repeated, over and over, with harmonics and orchestration providing variety and color. It opens with a (barely audible) snare drum and flute, and finishes with the entire orchestra a blazin' away full-bore-- all under perfect control by the tempo and the still-repeating snare drum. A masterfully constructed piece. And a few favorites: Beethoven's 9th (in no other art or endevor has any man come so close to representing true, exalted Joy) Dvorak's "New World" and "Serenade for Strings" Holst's "The Planets," esp. Mars and Neptune Saint-Saens' "Danse Bacchanale" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Styles2112 Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Indeed... have you listened to Maurice Ravel's "Bolero"? The same melody is relentlessly repeated, over and over, with harmonics and orchestration providing variety and color. It opens with a (barely audible) snare drum and flute, and finishes with the entire orchestra a blazin' away full-bore-- all under perfect control by the tempo and the still-repeating snare drum. A masterfully constructed piece. Despite the relatively easy rhythm, it's actually considered one of the hardest drum parts ever. The ability to raise dynamics so slowly and with perfect tempo is a feat not many can achieve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liriodendron Tulipifera Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Anything by Chopin, especially his Nocturnes and Waltzes. (You see, I play piano.. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Little Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 This may stretch the definition of "classical" a bit, but Leroy Anderson's "Bugler's Holiday" is my all-time favorite piece of music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnunamak Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Mendelssohn's violin concerto, Bach's cello suites (I like suites 1 and 6 best), Vivaldi's four seasons, and of course Brahm's violin concerto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klarinettus Posted April 23, 2006 Report Share Posted April 23, 2006 In alphabetical order (straight from my iTunes playlist) Alexander Glazunov - Symphony No. 4 in Eb Major, String Quartet No. 5 Anton Bruckner - Symphony No. 4 in Eb Major AntonÃn Dvořák - Symphony No. 9 in e minor, Cello Concerto, Romance in f minor Claude Debussy - Prélude à l'áprès-midi d'un faune, La mer Dmitri Shostakovich - Festive Overture Edward Elgar - Cello Concerto, Enigma Variations Gerald Finzi - Cello Concerto, Clarinet Concerto Gustav Holst - The Planets Howard Hanson - Symphony No. 2 Igor Stravinsky - The Firebird Ludwig van Beethoven - Syphony No. 6 in F Major Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade Ottorino Respighi - The Fountains of Rome, The Pines of Rome Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings, Overture to The School for Scandal, First Essay for Orchestra, Violin Concerto Sergei Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem Currently, I'm getting into a lot of British music. Listening to a lot of Elgar, Vaughn-Williams, Howells, and Finzi. All great stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.