Western Classical Music

[jls001]

Richard Strauss' other tone poems are also worthy of serious discovery. Also Sprach Zarathustra, Don Juan, Alpine Symphony, etc.

 

[Nikhil]

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[skroderider]

Deutsche Grammophon has opened up some of their Western Classical (video) recordings online for free (not sure for how long though)

Premium Video Archive - DG Premium

The magnificent DG120 Gala Concert at Beijing Forbidden City is just a start. The DG120 VIDEO COUNT-UP series brings you to a 120-day-long journey to witness the amazing 120 years of Deutsche Grammophon. [...]Read More...

www.dg-premium.com

 

[skroderider]

... Ahhh, a lot of getting up to change sides!

But I wish my half-century-old classical vinyl was still playable. Sadly, due to youth, ceramic cartridges and, probably, blunt styli, it is not.

I doubt that I'll build either a vinyl or a CD collection of W classical ever again, but, I have (with recent reawakening of enjoyment) bought some FLAC downloads from eclassical.com. High res available, too.


No need to understand it. Just enjoy.

Actually, that's my approach to music in general

If you do want to understand more, there is a wonderful series of lectures, which I learnt about here on HFV...

Prof Craig Wright,Yale University, Listening to Music.

...Brilliant, and thoroughly enjoyable.

There is a Coursera (free) version of Prof. Wright's course now - I completed it last year. As you said, it's a delight. One of best online courses I have done - https://www.coursera.org/learn/introclassicalmusic/

 

[skroderider]

BBC's annual festival the Proms has started - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2H0RzCW596BZbyG30VmZ5Vp/2020-season-guide

Online listening guidelines for those outside the UK - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ar...DR/how-to-enjoy-the-proms-from-outside-the-uk

 

[jls001]

I had never heard of Japanese composer-conductor Joe Hisaishi until two days ago. This is a piece for an animation movie, Kiki's Delivery Service. Stunning piece of music.

 

[SEANDSILVA]

I wonder why no body mentioned Vivaldi-The Four Seasons. One of my favorite. Please listen Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's Jonathan Carney. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Pachelbel: Canon; Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

one of my favourites too. was wondering how nobody had mentioned it yet until i saw your post

 

[Lizard King]

one of my favourites too. was wondering how nobody had mentioned it yet until i saw your post

Vivaldi's Quattro Stagioni can indeed be a stepping stone to Western Classical for a novice, and then continue to be a favorite forever.

Here is one of my favorite versions, conducted by Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert, Simon Standage doing the honors on violin.
Although you cannot go wrong with the 4 Seasons. I have a total 7 versions of them on physical media

 

[Lizard King]

Mahler was not even 30 when he composed Titan. Sign of what the word "Mahlerian" would stand to mean. Gigantic, ponderous, deep, and profound. Yet earthy. It's still possibly the most accessible Mahler.
And yes, it will test your $6000 hifi system to its limits. Hell Yeah.

If the 1st Symphony is a elaborate Roman feast, its 2nd movement, 'Hunter's Funeral' is the 'antipasto', the easily digestible appetite stimulant. The 'McMahler', if ever the was one.

 

[Lizard King]

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All Mahler leaves you spellbound.

I just recovered enough to reflect upon the fact that when Claudio Abbado was conducting his band of young genius musicians, he was terminal with stomach cancer. Multiple surgeries had left him without a way to eat normally. He was in constant pain, and a rubber tube hidden under his clothes that poured food directly into his intestine.

A whole lifetime of tribute is not enough for his talent/contribution.