Classical Music Appreciation

**Jstas** · 07-23-2011 12:37 PM

Lots of other genre's get a good deal of air time here and I think that even with the "must have" thread, the exposure is limited. Most of those are just a list. But those who don't know much about the classical stuff aren't very exposed to the actual pieces. So in an effort to expose more, I figured we could do a thread with the actual music in it. Feel free to peruse the "must have" thread and dig up ones from there to share as well. Maybe if more people hear the good stuff they'll be more inclined to jump in to the more cultured end of the music world.

Just, please, try not to repeat anything.

I'll start off. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. It's been all over the place from TV shows and movies to car commercials. Lotsa of people have heard it, not alot know what or who it is. So, now you know. Enjoy!

**Big Dawg** · 07-23-2011 01:34 PM

Nice idea for a thread, John. Keeping to the Beethoven sonata theme, here's another favorite, the Pathetique, played by Vladimir Horowitz, in three movements:

**George Grand** · 07-23-2011 02:49 PM

Anybody know the name and composer of the piece that used to (and maybe still does) intro the National Geographic specials? I always liked it and wondered if it had a basis in classical of the past.

It is not The Firebird, which is the answer a lot of people respond with.

**Big Dawg** · 07-23-2011 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by George Grand

Anybody know the name and composer of the piece that used to (and maybe still does) intro the National Geographic specials? I always liked it and wondered if it had a basis in classical of the past.

It is not The Firebird, which is the answer a lot of people respond with.

I believe it was written to be the National Geographic theme song by Elmer Bernstein.

**Jstas** · 07-23-2011 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Big Dawg

I believe it was written to be the National Geographic theme song by Elmer Bernstein.

Yup. Commissioned by Nat Geo just for the show. Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and Marty Stouffer's Wild America did the same thing.

That was back when people still gave a damn about TV programming instead of pumping out schlock after schlock after schlock.

**Jstas** · 07-23-2011 06:39 PM

Another nocturne from Chopin, Op9 No2

**fatchowmein** · 07-23-2011 08:46 PM

My all-time favorite.

Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No.6 in F major ('Pastoral'), Op. 68: 5. Shepherd's Song: Happy and Thankful Feelings After the Storm - Allegretto

**fatchowmein** · 07-23-2011 08:53 PM

Luigi Boccherini - Musica notturna delle strade di madrid

I also like his Minuetto.

**fatchowmein** · 07-23-2011 09:06 PM

Claude Debussy - Suite Bergamasque from Book 2 of Preludes for Piano - 3. Clair de Lune

**Jstas** · 07-23-2011 09:29 PM

Artur Schnabel plays Schubert Sonata D959 in A major (IV)

**Jstas** · 07-23-2011 09:39 PM

A fun one! Boston Symphony Orchestra "Super Mario Brothers In-Game Music"

**Jstas** · 07-23-2011 09:40 PM

One more fun one from one of the best modern composers: Forrest Gump Theme -- Alan Silvestri

**headrott** · 07-24-2011 05:33 AM

How about Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" 1st Movement. I'm sure many have heard this. This willl let you know what it is (if you didn't already).

Greg

**deronb1** · 07-24-2011 08:43 AM

Both my kids were in the High School Orchestra. Loved to go see them play concerts and at state competitions. It is amazing what young people can do!

The only classical I own is a CD of "Star Tracks". Music from John Williams. Star Wars, Empire, Return of the Jedi, Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Also, E.T. and Close Encounters. The disc also includes Star Trek main theme.

It was played by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. 1984, Pure Digital (DDD) Sounds Great!

**Jstas** · 07-24-2011 05:23 PM

Yo-Yo Ma plays the prelude from Bach?s Cello Suite No. 1

**Jstas** · 07-24-2011 05:26 PM

Another one from Master and Commander.

Vivaldi's "Concerto for Four Violins and Orchestra in B Minor Movement 3 (Allegro)"

**Jstas** · 07-24-2011 05:30 PM

Another Vivaldi - Violin Concerto in G Major RV310

**Jstas** · 07-24-2011 05:35 PM

Maybe you recognize this one:

Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4, "Italian"

**Jstas** · 07-24-2011 05:41 PM

MAHLER - Adagietto, from Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor, 4th Movement

**fatchowmein** · 07-24-2011 09:03 PM

George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue

**fatchowmein** · 07-24-2011 09:16 PM

Sergei Rachmaninoff - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43, 18th Variation

Just a warning before you go searching for the CD. There is an intro and 24 variations so if you get the full piece you'll have to wait something like 15 minutes before you get to the famous 18th. Some CD's will only have certain parts but not the 18th.

**fatchowmein** · 07-24-2011 09:30 PM

Johann Pachelbel - Canon in D for Strings and Continuo

My favorite version performed by the Jean-Francois Paillard Chamber Orchestra. The tempo is a bit faster than the wedding versions. I love to crank the volume and have the music wash over me. The Youtube copy barely does it justice.

**fatchowmein** · 07-24-2011 09:36 PM

Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No.7 in A Major, Op.92 - II. Allegretto

**Jstas** · 07-25-2011 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by fatchowmein

Johann Pachelbel - Canon in D for Strings and Continuo

Oh God! I am so sick of that song! I must have played it a billion times at weddings and holiday masses! The organist at my church (before it was closed and torn down) had an arrangement for an organ, clarinet, flute and trombone. But his trombone player quit and his clarinet player got a job at the New York Philharmonic and moved away. My sister was the flute part and they snookered me in to transposing the clarinet part for a trumpet. That 1st violin part that starts around 2:01 in your video...was not easy to play it the way everyone wanted it to sound. They basically wanted a B flat Coronet and I did not own one so when I could I'd borrow the one from high school, I'd play that otherwise I was playing my C trumpet way out of tune and compensating with my embouchure. If the wedding party was particularly huge with 250 pound fat asses in 150 pound dresses taking forever waddling up the aisle, I wouldn't be able to even smile when it was done my face hurt so bad. If I had to keep going 'cause some stupid bratty flower girl and ring bearer were screwing around I'd start falling out of tune with the organ and flute.

It's a beautiful piece, I just have it forever burned in a hateful place of my brain.

Here's Mendelssohn's "Spring Song" for another one of those lovely songs I hate.

I can't wait until I get my permanent implant toof so I can start playing again.

**Jstas** · 07-25-2011 09:09 PM

Beethoven's Minuet in G

**Jstas** · 07-25-2011 09:10 PM

Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 in A, 2nd Movement

**Jstas** · 07-25-2011 09:16 PM

Bach's Minuet in G Major

I had a music teacher in high school. His name was Alan. He was in charge of the brass sections for the school orchestra (and yes, we actually had full compliment of a Classical Orchestra). He was also a trumpet player. One day, the music director thought it would be a good idea to have the various teachers put on a concert after school for music students and their parents. Alan played this on a coronet accompanied by a bassoon, violin and a cello and it was probably the must beautiful performance I've ever heard to this date.

**Jstas** · 07-25-2011 09:17 PM

Bach's Bradenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major

**Jstas** · 07-25-2011 09:19 PM

Franz Schubert - Ave Maria for Violin

**Jstas** · 07-25-2011 09:20 PM

Bach - Sleepers Wake (I played this for my trials senior year of high school)

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