Post Seventeen

On Classical Music

I love classical music.  I know, I know, that's "elevator" music to most people, or if you're feeling really cruel, "old fart" music.  While I do agree that some classical pieces are downright horrible, I could say the same for any kind of music.  What most people fail to grasp is that most of what we hear today was inspired, in no small measure, by the masters of what is known as classical music. 

Like any genre, classical music is just a broad description.  Classical music consists of genres within genres, and is not something that is very easy to define by a few simple words.  For example, the genre is defined by three "Periods" set by a period of years: Baroque (1600-1750)), Classical (1750-1830), and Romantic (1830-1910 and my favorite) are the three accepted ages of classical music.  These periods are broad; they are not meant to be hard and fast rules.  You have various overlap, and some composers defy classification.  For example, based on the time he lived Mozart was so varied in his musical composition you could put him in either Classical or Romantic; some lovers would put him in his own Period.

Each Period was defined by notable composers who stood head and shoulders above most of their contemporaries; Baroque with J.S. Bach, Classical with Beethoven and Romantic with Tchiakovsky.  Each of these composers were the veritable "rock gods" of their day.  I am not taking away anything from other composers, but I think most people have heard of at least one of these composers.  I doubt you will be seeing the same staying power out of 99% of the musicians today. 

To me, classical music is a very personal kind of music.  At it's best, this music can take hold of your heart and move it like few things can.  One of my favorite pieces is Beethoven's 9th Symphony.  Everyone knows the piece because of the famous "Ode to Joy" chorus, but the symphony itself is a miracle on paper.  Four movements (most symphonies have three) combining and forming into a work of genius and virtuosity.  Beethoven's works inspired an entire generation of German people to forge a nation that eventually rivaled that of the great superpower of the day, Great Britian.  His works are a remarkable achievment right up there with any scientific breakthrough. 

I think one of the reasons classical music gets the shaft in the modern era is that it is a music that requires focus and patience to truly appreciate.  What's more, the music is best enjoyed live which few young people seem interested in doing.  Going to the symphony, instead of an all-night rave?  No.  It's funny as some of the best classical works, like symphonies, can be quite a taxing experience.  Some run an hour long, and once you get caught up in their power it's as addictive as any drug. 

If you are fortunate enough to have a local symphony in your area you really owe yourself a favor to try it out.  Some of the greatest musical experiences of my life took place watching my local symphony perform my favorite works.  Last week, my wife and I had the thrill of seeing Beethoven's 5th Symphony peformed at a very high level; as good as most CD recordings.  For those of you who don't know, the 5th is the symphony that begins with "Da Da Da Duh".  It's so much more than that, however.  The majesty of the 2nd and 3rd movements eclipse the opening movement in every way.  The conductor, a young man from Canada, had the orchestra moving at a furious pace which is quite untraditional for this piece.  Usually, the 5th is peformed "dignified"; which, to me, equals boring.  I have only heard one other recording of the 5th that was better than this performance.  It was that good.

One the best parts of classical music is it's sheer variety.  Want large-scale, earth-shaking, full orchestral works?  Check.  Want small-scale, intimate chamber works:?  Check.  Want virtuoso solo peformances from piano to cello?  Check.  Want opera?  Check.  It's amazing how many choices one has when starting to explore this world, and that can be both good and bad.  With so many choices one can simply become overwhelmed.  Worse, the person hears one piece that they hate, and conclude they hate classical music. 

In conclusion, liking or not liking classical music is just the wrong way to look at the genre.  I don't like all kinds of classical music.  Most small-scale works put me to sleep no matter the performer or composer.  While I love solo piano I'm not a big fan of the cello.  Opera?  Most of it is not my thing save for Wagner and some Mozart.  What classical music requires above all other kinds of music is patience and commitment.  It demands participation from the listener that simply is not part of the times in this instant gratification world.  And that's sad.

Here are some of my favorite recordings.  All of them are available for purchase on Amazon.  I am also including a couple of book and movie references to help the initiate get underway without feeling overwhelmed.  Give it a chance.  You might just be surprised what you might find thereby opening yourself up to a whole new world.

Beethoven-Harnoncourt: 9 Symphonies (Box Set) 

http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Harnoncourt-Symphonies-Ludwig-van-Beethoven/dp/B000000SDB/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1299072784&sr=1-2

Beethoven the way it was meant to be played.  A reviewer once described the conductor, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, as "scary".  Pretty much says it all.  If you are looking for clinical interpretation where one agonizes over getting every note perfect this is definitely not for you.  But if you are looking for passion beyond measure this is where it's at.  The best cycle in existence.  Affordable if bought used.

Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 / Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

http://www.amazon.com/Rachmaninoff-Concerto-minor-Tchaikovsky-Piano/dp/B0000041DF/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1299073277&sr=1-1

Martha Argerich is the best classical piano player alive, and this is her signature performance.  The Rach 3 is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, concerto ever written, and Argerich is more than up to the task.  Consider this is peformed and recorded live, and one simply marvels at her super-human talent.  The Tchaikovsky concerto is also very impressive, and is simply icing on the cake.  If you love piano it doesn't get any better than this.

Bach - The Complete Brandenburg Concertos / Pearlman, Boston Baroque [Box set]

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Complete-Brandenburg-Concertos-Pearlman/dp/B000003D1F/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1299073778&sr=1-4

I am not a huge fan of Baroque Period music, but of all Baroque works I like Bach's Brandenburg Concertos the best.  A complete recording of all of the concertos is the most desirable, and Telarc's recordings tend to sound very, very good.  Well worth the investment. 

Wagner - Der Ring des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) / Sir Georg Solti [Box set]

http://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Nibelungen-Cycle-Georg-Solti/dp/B0000042H4/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1299075062&sr=1-2

With opera, for me, it's either go big, or go home.  Nothing is bigger than Wagner's Ring cycle.  While old, this recording is the best complete version available.  Not cheap, but opera fans (or fans of musicals) should really enjoy this set for years to come. 

Chopin: Favorite Piano Works

http://www.amazon.com/Chopin-Favorite-Piano-Works-Frederic/dp/B00000427J/ref=sr_1_11?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1299075602&sr=1-11

Chopin is my favorite piano composer, and Ashkenazy is my favorite Chopin pianist.  Whiile hardly complete, this very affordable 2-CD set is a great introduction to some of the most passionate piano works of all time. 

Mozart: Requiem in D Minor, K. 626

http://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Requiem-Mozarts-Original-Manuscript/dp/B00022UO9I/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1299076189&sr=1-1

The work Mozart never completed due to his untimely death is one of his best.  Harnoncourt is the perfect conductor for this massive endeavor.  One the greatest masses ever written.

Orff: Carmina Burana

http://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Requiem-Mozarts-Original-Manuscript/dp/B00022UO9I/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1299076189&sr=1-1

Used as a background piece in many movies involving massive amounts of testosterone this is one of those pieces you either love or hate.  The best way to describe this work is "primal".  Not for the faint of heart, but if you like big, bold music this is one of the best works out there.

Star Wars Trilogy [Box Set]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=star+wars

Modern Classical Music!  Yes, it exists.  Movie soundtracks have taken the place of massive symphonies.  Still, John Williams' music is a worthy successor to the masters of the past.  I never get tired of Darth Vader's entrance theme. 

Copying Beethoven (DVD movie)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=star+wars

Ed Harris plays a very believable Beethoven in this movie centered around Beethoven's 9th Symphony and one of his most controversial works.  It's a fictional story based on historical facts, but I enjoyed this movie more than it's competitor, Immortal Beloved, because of the strength of Harris' performance.  Well worth a couple of hours of your time. 

Amadeus (Blu-ray or DVD movie)

http://www.amazon.com/Amadeus-Blu-ray-Book-Murray-Abraham/dp/B001JNNE64/ref=sr_1_5?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1299083433&sr=1-5

The best movie about the classical music genre by a huge margin.  Hulce is spectacular as the genius Mozart and Abraham is even better as his rival, the composer Salieri.  This Academy Award winner has some of the best set design and costumes ever seen in a modern movie, and it perfectly captures the feel of the time and place.  It's long, but never feels like it.  One of my favorite films of all time.

The NPR Guide to Building a Classical CD Collection : The 350 Essential Works

http://www.amazon.com/NPR-Guide-Building-Classical-Collection/dp/0761104879/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299083605&sr=1-1

This book is all you need to start really enjoying classical music.  It's a great guide for the beginner, and will steer you in the right direction.  Indispensable.