Getting into classical

Sorry I missed Arvo Part.

Babbitt was born in 1916 making him 92 years old (Elliott Carter is 100) and neither have been active in composition or teaching for 10-15 years and Babbitt was irrelevant when he was "active". His biggest claim to fame was the infamous article called "Who Cares If You Listen?" Babbitt's "Total Serialism" was an unmitigated failure, both commercially and as an academic phenomenon. I wouldn't recommend Babbitt to anyone who actually wanted to find music they liked.

Edited by Trademark - February 17 2008 at 16:25

Trademark wrote: Sorry I missed Arvo Part.

Mister Pärt is probably my favourite classical composer ever.

Ricochet wrote: BaldJean wrote: Ricochet wrote: BaldJean wrote: Wallium wrote: I like Tchaikovsky personally, I recommend his "Piano Concerto number 1 in Bb minor Op.23" If you know anything about Muse, you'll also notice how Matt copied this song in "Hoodoo" the opening of Tchaikovski's "Piano Concerto #1" belongs on the list of "greatest hits" for piano, other's being for example Beethoven's "Für Elise", "Mozart's "Rondo a la Turko" or  Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in C sharp Minor". Wouldn't say it that way (at least not in comparison with Fur Elise and Rondo a la Turca, which are small pieces, respectively a sonata finale for piano, not a full-size concert), I'm always impressed by the greatness of the concert as a whole (or at least the monumental-running first part) than by the beginning. (And I, normally, don't have Tchaikovsky's first for piano on my favorite list). that's why I referred to the opening only. those few bars are usually immediately recognizable even to people who are not familiar with classical music. certainly the concert as a whole is something completely different. the same could be said, by the way, about Grieg's piano concerto. everyone will recognize it, but I am pretty sure most people have no idea how the concerto goes on after those initial chords. they will most probably not even recognize it as Grieg, they will just go "yeah, I know that" recognizable concerto short moments: Mozart - Concerto No.21 - third movement Beethoven's Fifth Franz Liszt's First (at least for me, but generally a fan could love the intro!) Grieg's - as mentioned by you Tchaikovsky - as mentioned by you Rachmaninoff's Second - the slow-building first eight measures, could be a classic beginning for a real piano concerto's afficionado Rachmaninoff's Third - even better, the melodic simple line is one of the most charming themes in the literature of piano concerts; not to forget the entry of the third movement.

I think the 2nd movement of Mozart's piano concerto No. 21 is even better known than the 3rd and will appeal to many.
as to the opening of Beethoven's 5th piano concerto: it has a little "Für Elise" moment too, though the repetition of those two notes is not as excessive as in "Für Elise" itself, which is often used to make fun of by piano players like Victor Borges.
as to the opening of Liszt 's concerto No. 1: I totally agree.
the opening to Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto resembles his famous Prelude a lot, not only because it is also in C minor.




Edited by BaldJean - February 18 2008 at 03:36

Don't forget Osvaldo Golijov either, he's very much alive and doing some great contemporary classic music.

Then there's a German guy I forget the name of who has done lots of great stuff, some of which is versions of more well known composers and some lesser known composers' work that is commissioned by him.  It's quite varied too, randing from Lied to full on orchestral pieces.

I only wish I could remember his name... he's also a violinist.


Edited by James - February 18 2008 at 03:19

I know the band PFS are heavily influenced by Webern, Schoenberg and Bartók and I like that, so I guess I will like some Webern.

Did you ever try out Golijov?  I know you're not a big fan of Opera, but if you can see through that, then you may like some of it.

Two 'new' composers never mentioned:

I love the two albums I got by Kaija Saariaho from Finland. She's still  very much alive. (Maa, Ballet Music in 7 Scenes clip).

Another recent favorite is spectralist Gérard Grisey died in just 44 years old in 98. Check out Vortex Temporum for another 20th century essential (Imo) if you find it.

Most people already into progressive music (like myself) seems to get right into all of Dmitri Shostakovich & Bela Bartoks String Quartets.

And the pre - 12 tone piece by Arnold Schönberg Verklärte Nacht. (A link to my favorite version, a perfect double set with Schubert's masterpiece Der Tod und Das Mädchen)

Edited by Rocktopus - February 19 2008 at 07:21

^ listening to it now:

http://www.emusic.com/album/Prometheus-Ensemble-Arnold-Sch%C3%B6nberg-by-Prometheus-Ensemble-Verkl%C3%A4rte-MP3-Download/11034106.html