I just came here to post a thread looking for Brahms recommendations when I realized, to my surprise, that there isn't a classical music forum here. Why not? I'm sure there are plenty of people here who listen to it.

It probably wouldn't get as much traffic as some other forums, but there are plenty of niche forums here.

[Sorry, I just couldn't resist editing the title of your thread, C.! -- LT]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LinnTate,

quote:

Originally posted by Commontone:
Why not? I'm sure there are plenty of people here who listen to it.

Actually, I kind of doubt it, though there are probably about as many people listening to classical as there are world music or jazz. Maybe they should combine them all 3 into one forum. It'd probably be most of the same people listening to those genres.

I'll work on it!! I have other issues too.

Ask and ye shall receive! Classical is now up. You're in it!

Feel free to have general discussion in this thread, or start new ones on specific topics.

Classical is hands down my favorite genre of music, and the one I probably listen the least to. I haven't figured out the disconnect, but it's true. It is the one style I can listen to all day without ever changing the station or skipping a "song." And I sort of disagree with you, RL. I think a fair amount of us listen to it, but I'm not sure that many of us can discuss it very intelligently.

There's a loud minority of classical music fans who use a lot of the terminology and jargon that have long been associated with the genre to make others feel small and stupid. I'd be the first to admit that people who make horribly misinformed statements as a means of disparaging classical music are a pet peeve of mine (or any genre for that matter), but it's hardly fair to expect a person to be expert in order to engage in a friendly discussion about any music. You may not think you can speak about it intelligently, but talking about what you like and dislike and why is the fastest path to feeling more comfortable and intelligent about it.

I'm curious. If we're to get this section rolling, what sorts of topics would people find interesting?

Now Playing: The Daily Source Code

I appreciate the support, Linn! I'll definitely do my best to get my ideas across coherently(or at least as coherently as I get my ideas across in other threads ). As far as threads, I think some basic ones could include favorite composer & favorite style/period. Maybe something kooky like "should movie soundtracks count as classical music?"

quote:

I'm curious. If we're to get this section rolling, what sorts of topics would people find interesting?

A couple sections that would be useful and interesting for me:

Something like a "greatest hits" or "required listening" section, where those who have more knowledge of classical music can give their thoughts on what the absolute classics are for those of us who are still learning.

I'd also be interested in a section on American classical music. I have quite a fondness for most of the biggest names, like Aaron Copeland, Charles Ives, and Harry Partch but would like to know where to dig deeper.

Lastly, some guidance on buying classical music on cd would be very helpful. There ae so many shitty classical cds in the world, that fiding quality recordings is a chore all by itself.

Those are my thoughts,hope to see some activity in this area.

I know next to nothing about classical and own only a few albums, all vinyl. But I have one particular favorite album and would like suggestions on how to find the best of similiar style albums, not just by instrument or composer but by classical genres. Recommendations of the best classical sites would be helpful, too.

So crazed, what is your favorite? I have a soft spot for Holst's The Planets. My vinyl copy is on Deutsche Grammophon[400028].

My favorite is a Moscow Chamber Orchestra album. Side A is Haydn's "Concerto in D, Op 21" and side B is Mozart's "Concerto #12, in A, K414". Not sure if this particular album is available on cd yet but I love that warm vinyl sound, so I don't mind.

Here's a question: How does classical music differ from most modern music and why? One major difference is that most classical pieces are instrumental while most modern pop pieces feature vocals. But there are a lot of other differences as well. How would classical musicians hundreds of years ago have reacted if they were presented with a piece of modern pop, like, say, the Beatles? And why is it that classical music is so unpopular among the general population today?

quote:

One major difference is that most classical pieces are instrumental while most modern pop pieces feature vocals.

This isn't exactly right RL. Vocals play a huge role in classical music. Most of the great composers wrote for choirs as well as for instruments, and if you add in opera, I would imagine as much classical music has been writen for the voice as for any other instrument.

quote:

Originally posted by RavingLunatic:
How would classical musicians hundreds of years ago have reacted if they were presented with a piece of modern pop, like, say, the Beatles? And why is it that classical music is so unpopular among the general population today?

I've met a few classically trained musicians who seem to look down upon pop music, so maybe those composers would have felt the same way. There's a great amount of technical skill required to write and play classical music, which really isn't the case with pop music. I doubt there are many rock pianists who could sit down and play Bach's Goldberg Variations.

I think that may be part of the reason why pop music is so popular. It's easy. It's repetitive and catchy. I can sit at home and teach myself how to play a Bob Dylan or Neutral Milk Hotel song on my guitar. Could I do that with Bach or Beethoven? No way.

Wow, I'm glad I said something. Classical music was the first music I really connected with, which is probably pretty unusual for a young kid. I was fascinated with John Williams' film scores, then learned that he deliberately patterned much his "Star Wars" score after existing classical music that George Lucas thought fit the movie..."The Planets," "The Rite of Spring" and others. So I started listening to those, and got hooked.

I think it's a shame that classical music seems like an elitist realm to so many--I'm sure a lot of people probably associate it with the dry, arrogant, jargon-flaunting DJs on public radio.

Also, many people instantly think *Mozart* or *Beethoven* when they hear the word "classical." And if they're not charmed by those composers, they dismiss the whole genre. Those same people might be blown away by Stravinsky or Mahler, if they were only familiar with them.

That being said, I don't think it's "unpopular among the general population" at all, any more than independent film, or indie rock is unpopular. Plenty of people still go to orchestra concerts, listen to public radio, buy classical CDs, read books about composers, etc. There's definitely an audience for it out there, and hopefully, in here too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Commontone,

To tell you the truth, I probably can't name any Beethoven symphonies by listening, except for No. 5 and No. 9, but I can recognize Beethoven several miles away. He was, is, and always will be somebody, including lovers of modern pop music, will adore. For God's sake, he and Bach and Mozart basically invented pop music.

And to reiterate, I believe they would all LOVE the Beatles.

This may be scary, but actually not to me. Maybe everybody should rent the movies Fantasia, Allegro non troppo and even Fantasia 2, especially if a spoonful of sugar makes the "medicine" go down. I love those movies, mostly as movies, but you will all get a damn quick (if abridged) classical education.

I think one of the great things about classical is, from a supply standpoint, there's some damn much of it! It's also usually pretty inexpensive. It's true some of the cheaper selections aren't always the greatest quality, and those with virtuosos such as Mitsuko Uchida and Yo-Yo Ma can cost more, but there are so many basic samplers that it's hard to go wrong.

It's true that there are plenty of great classical CDs available for around $10-12 that feature well-known ensembles and conductors -- the argument that classical CDs are too expensive doesn't hold water. But with the exception of the Naxos label, anything costing less than $10 probably isn't worth it.

Still, I think it's worth spending a few extra bucks to hear a masterful performance by someone like Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic, as opposed to saving a few bucks and hearing something that's only competent.

quote:

Originally posted by Commontone:
But with the exception of the Naxos label, anything costing less than $10 probably isn't worth it.

Still, I think it's worth spending a few extra bucks to hear a masterful performance by someone like Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic, as opposed to saving a few bucks and hearing something that's only competent.

I don't know about that. For a novice listener looking to get into classical music, they're not going to notice a huge difference between Yo-Yo Ma, and Joe Schmo performing a piece. It's still great music.