Classical Music!

[GenSec]

Wanted to post a couple of parts from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, the first piece of classical music i ever heard. It also remains for me the most meaningful of all the classical compositions i've heard ever since.

I've specifically chosen these two from performances by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for someone special... you know who you are, ha ha!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L23XLW8DvXY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L23XLW8DvXY</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlKvv83qFhQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlKvv83qFhQ</a>

[tinam7]

Musicians are the same everywhere, in love with their music, disciplined, dedicated, talented. If we are able to respond to classical music that first piece will always move us. For me it was a violin concerto. This, of course, is the music to Swan Lake and so I imagined the ballerinas with their great talents and beauty.

Why do I sometimes think these are not necessarily timeless forms of art and expression? Audiences are not used to sitting quietly, if exuberant anyway. Even ballet may become obsolete. Won't happen for me. Nor will the great classical composers and the orchestras that love them (like me) and play them. Thank you, GS. Now how about a little opera? Maria Callas, Jonas Kaufmann, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo.........You may just be swept away by the grand romance of opera. Plenty of passion, so touted these days. Oh well, I know the outcome here and that's fine.

[GenSec]

Musicians are the same everywhere, in love with their music, disciplined, dedicated, talented. If we are able to respond to classical music that first piece will always move us. For me it was a violin concerto. This, of course, is the music to Swan Lake and so I imagined the ballerinas with their great talents and beauty.

Why do I sometimes think these are not necessarily timeless forms of art and expression? Audiences are not used to sitting quietly, if exuberant anyway. Even ballet may become obsolete. Won't happen for me. Nor will the great classical composers and the orchestras that love them (like me) and play them. Thank you, GS. Now how about a little opera? Maria Callas, Jonas Kaufmann, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo.........You may just be swept away by the grand romance of opera. Plenty of passion, so touted these days. Oh well, I know the outcome here and that's fine.

So Tinam, did you approve of my selection here? I'm curious!

Whenever i hear Swan Lake i always think of a pair of lovey-dovey swans together on a lake... i suppose thats pretty unsurprising really, lol.

Cannot say with honesty that opera is my kind of thing; why don't you make a selection?

Regards,
Gen,

[tinam7]

Of course this is great music but really goes with ballerinas. Bet you can find a clip from the ballet.

What?? Am I reading right? A selection from opera? Anything? A tenor? Soprano? Mezzo? Baritone? Bass? It's all out there but I can't do that clip and paste. What would you like? Passionate love scenes? Murderous scenes? Dying scenes? Scheming? Betraying? Opera has it all.

[GenSec]

Neither ballet nor opera appeal to me in any way... i prefer seeing the orchestra itself at work.

So i'll pass on all the various opera scenes; particularly the passionate love scenes, lol.

Recently i got myself a new cell phone; for the first time i've began listening to the radio via cell phone, heh. My last cell had a radio but it never worked for some reason. Anyway, one of the radio stations i recieve loud and clear is a classical music station; i can listen to it for ages whilst doing whatever else. I think i've heard more of Mozart and Beethoven over the last few days than over the previous course of my entire life, haha.

Its been a pleasant diversion though... i've noticed in fact that i'm desiring to listening to standard modern music ever less.

[tinam7]

December was Beethoven's birthday, January Mozart's and watch out for March: here comes Bach.

To me those are the 3 greats. There are others, of course, but not the same for me, or maybe I don't know them well enough. Mozart, of course, has so much gorgeous vocal music, including his operas. Classical music elevates the mind, soul, spirit in a more enduring way, or so it seems to me.

[GenSec]

Oh well, it seems i picked the wrong composer to start off with here, ha ha.

Certainly i can appreciate the unique brilliance of Mozart and Beethoven. I've recorded series about them on the Arts channel on satellite television. But for me, my favourite composers are the likes of Bach (i own a large collection of his works) and pre-Mozart early 17th and 18th century composers from the Baroque period; Vivaldi, Archangelo Corelli, Handel, etc. Tchaikovsky is one of the few later 19th century composers i tend to listen to with any regularity.

For me, the 18th century Baroque period has for too long been neglected, belittled; but in recent decades a new generation of scholars and musicians have began to re-evaluate it, and rediscover it for a new generation of listeners. Recently i saw a concert devoted to Handel's work... the whole orchestra was dressed in colourful 18th century attire with original instruments, grey wigs and leg stalking for the gents, ha ha. A more recent documentary was about rediscovering Vivaldi and the original instruments/vocal styles he originally meant to be employed in her works, which later 19th century generations tampered with/belittled. One of his works was sung by an all-female vocal ensemble in an old Venetian church... it was beautiful to hear it in its full original glory (and to be able to compare it to its 19th century later interpretation).

For me, the most overrated of the composers is Wagner... to my ears, he is mostly all pomp and noise. The dictator's favourite, lol (its true; most dictators of the 20th century have highly rater Wagner above all others). Yet, many disagree with me and see him as one of the greatest of all times. I respect their opinion of course.

Thanks,
Gen.

[GenSec]

Oops, i made a couple of errors here, heh!

Firstly;

pre-Mozart early 17th and 18th century composers from the Baroque period; Vivaldi, Archangelo Corelli, Handel, etc.

That should say late 17th/and 18th century composers.

Second;

A more recent documentary was about rediscovering Vivaldi and the original instruments/vocal styles he originally meant to be employed in her works, which later 19th century generations tampered with/belittled.

Obviously, that should say "original instruments/vocal styles he originally meant to be employed in his works".

This is a lesson in writing your posts before starting to unwind with a couple of drinks in the evening, lol!

Best,
Gen,

[tinam7]

You are so knowledgeable. I like baroque too, have plenty cassettes here: Vivaldi, Scarlatti, Telemann, Handel, Bach, etc. That music is so  different than the current wild or whiney stuff.

The different influence over people cannot be underestimated. Is it necessary to be hit over the head with music? In my time when I took a class in music at uni the big deal was the "surprise" in Haydn's Surprise Symphony. Makes me smile when I think back to it. Haydn was no slouch either. Do you have a cassette player? They are sort of obsolete too, like me, ha ha.

[GenSec]

Yes Scarlatti, have a CD collection set of his too. I can tell that you have a wider knowledge of this field though!

Yes, i have a double cassette player as well as a CD player and vinyl LP player. My music is played on an ageing bulky hi-fi seperates system.

And there's nothing obsolete about you, Tinam! Lets hear no more of that sort of talk!

Regards,
Gen.

[tinam7]

No wider knowledge, not at all. Interesting that you have a cassette player, really out dated now, I think.

Have a load of cassettes of my own creation. Taped many a glorious opera live from the Met on Sat. afternoons. Therapy then and now too. Those transmissions are still on but taping is over. They will all have to be trashed. Enough. There are some I heard so often, think they're worn out, ha ha. Have now resurrected a small walkman and take it with me to the gym. The earphones are probably out dated too. Goes great with pumping iron. Can also choose from Bach's violin concertos, Beethoven's 9th and Emperor Concerto. Favorites.

[GenSec]

Yeah, i have a cassette player but it almost never see's service anymore. I could easily do without it.

Talking of Bach's violin concertos, i'm pleased you mentioned them because it gives me an excuse to post this wee one, haha! I remember this one in particular because it reminds me of an old computer game i used to play now and then (this music was one of the themes that played in the background whilst playing this strategy game).

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30Dop4elEPE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30Dop4elEPE</a>

[tinam7]

Of course I recognize this piece but I cannot have even Bach as background. The music grabs my mind, my spirit, my soul and they dance with the magical sounds.

Can't tell you how many  cassettes I have here, collected over many years, many of my own creation as I taped from the radio. Thank you, a lovely reminder. Think I have Bach's violin concertos on a cassette. Will look for it today. Believe there are four of them.

[GenSec]

Of course I recognize this piece but I cannot have even Bach as background. The music grabs my mind, my spirit, my soul and they dance with the magical sounds.

Can't tell you how many  cassettes I have here, collected over many years, many of my own creation as I taped from the radio. Thank you, a lovely reminder. Think I have Bach's violin concertos on a cassette. Will look for it today. Believe there are four of them.

When i used to play this game for days at a time, i'd turn the background music right up when this tune started! It sometimes used to inspire me to declare war on and launch invasions of nations who had been provoking me for some time, haha.

I only have about 2 dozen cassettes of music left; one day i will look into replacing them all with CD's. In fact i have more vinyl records than cassettes; but as with the cassettes, i will gradually replace my worn out vinyl with CDs as well. Some records i will always keep, but the vast majority aren't anything special.

I enjoy listening to Bach's harpsichord works as well as his violin concertos... all very good. In some ways i prefer listening to the Harpsichord rather than the piano. On another classical music CD performed by students at my old university they have an original pianoforte, the follow on from the hapsichord and the precursor to the modern piano... it sounds slower than its modern equivalent. The notes also sound ever so slightly different (am no expert so cannot describe it). Its always interesting to hear compositions played on contemporary instruments rather than by their more modern equivalents.

Regards,
Gen.

[tinam7]

Where oh where are those vinyl records and the 45 rpm's and the record player with that arm and needle? Gave it all away and, of course, am sorry. So the cassettes and CD's will travel with me along with all my books. When I arrive at the Pearly Gates I'll say they are all gifts for everyone. Maybe then they will let me in. Determined to be a rat pack to the end.

Can we now do Book Talk and fry our brains with Dostoyevsky?

[GenSec]

It would have been better if you'd given away the cassette player and cassettes and kept the record player and vinyl records, haha.

Sure you can do Book Talk now... but its going to end up a rather one-way conversation i think you'll find, lol! Am afraid i cannot give you any kind of worthwhile chat when it comes to Book Talk, or Dostoyevsky: never read anything by him, and have generally never managed to successfully read very much fiction at all. Alas, i'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to fiction literature, Tinam.

Opera and fiction literature... as you already know, are to say the least subjects which are not my strong points, heh.

Regards,
Gen.

[tinam7]

Classic books seem to go with classical music, two mainstays in my life. Yes, too bad I no longer have the vinyls. There was quite a collection. I seem to recall Tito Puente, that Latin beat good to dance to. Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto too, later overtaken by Beethoven, Mozart, Max Bruch, Bach. I guess the violin has it for me.

Now a last stab for opera. Here is the idea. Can you try Jonas Kaufmann, Che Gelida Manina (La Boheme) and pop it in here? Pick any version. He is so good looking and his voice is a gem. One has some German commentary (wearing colorful shirt) and is shorter than the others. He is a tenor but his voice has a darker quality, leaning to baritone. Just know you'll love it and maybe others will too. Could help the head you are banging with that hammer, ha ha.

[GenSec]

Now a last stab for opera. Here is the idea. Can you try Jonas Kaufmann, Che Gelida Manina (La Boheme) and pop it in here? Pick any version. He is so good looking and his voice is a gem. One has some German commentary (wearing colorful shirt) and is shorter than the others. He is a tenor but his voice has a darker quality, leaning to baritone. Just know you'll love it and maybe others will too. Could help the head you are banging with that hammer, ha ha.

Mercy me, here we go with the opera again! Haha.

Sorry, i'm just not a fan of it. I've tried watching clips of opera on youtube: even on the Arts satellite channels. Its really not my thing. Neither the acting, nor the singing. Sorry but alas, there will be no miracle conversion of me into an opera lover!

Classical music is good enough for me!

Regards,
Gen.

[tinam7]

The problem is that the opera center in my brain is the most connected. In fact, I had been practicing Sun Salutes to this piece (how crazy is that??).

But I understand and can let it go.

[ClassicNerd]

I do love Tchaikovsky, and Vivaldi. Bach is awesome, of course. I really enjoy Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain. It's so ominous sounding, and energetic. I've got a big set if 10 CDs filled with songs by classical composers. It was a really great find! I listen to it while I'm reading, or writing, or trying to relax.

We can definitely talk Dostovesky! That is who I'm reading now (The Demons), and one of my all time favourite authors.  If you're talking Russian authors, I like Tolstoy too, of course, but not quite as much as I like Dostovesky.

I know nothing about opera, though!

[tinam7]

For me the Russians also have it in lit. while the Germans are tops in music. Never read The Demons, but they run through much of his works (joking).

The human voice almost trumps all the rest in my sound system. Not all opera but surely Verdi, Puccini, Bellini, etc. GS has read many times about my first encounter with opera at age 14. Had never heard it before but that connector in the brain was there. The more it heard, the stronger it grew. If it is not there to begin with can it develop? Maybe; maybe not.

[ClassicNerd]

For me the Russians also have it in lit. while the Germans are tops in music. Never read The Demons, but they run through much of his works (joking).

The human voice almost trumps all the rest in my sound system. Not all opera but surely Verdi, Puccini, Bellini, etc. GS has read many times about my first encounter with opera at age 14. Had never heard it before but that connector in the brain was there. The more it heard, the stronger it grew. If it is not there to begin with can it develop? Maybe; maybe not.

Haha! Yes! I love Dostovesky's work for the many 'demons' that seemingly run through them!

Do you have a favourite Dostovesky novel? The Demons is also called just Demons, and The Devils, and Devils (and The Posssessed, I think)...It has many different translated names so it might be that you've read it! It is very politically charged, so I find myself doing some learning on Russian history and politics on the side. I'm not sure if Demons will overtake Brother's Karamazov as  my favourite, though.

I've never heard of Verdi, Puccini, or Bellini, then again I'm not an opera buff! I don't think I've ever seen opera before. I don't know why, exactly. It just never happend!

Hm, if you're talking about trying to convert GS into an opera lover, I don't know how well that will go over for you.  I'd say you have to be born an opera lover, much as you have to be born a literature lover. I was always reading from a young age, so that connection with the written word was always there. I doubt I could have developed it had I not been so inclined.

[tinam7]

Recognize those other titles but did not read it. The thing about Fyodor is you put your sanity on the line charging into one of his creations. You develop "brain fever" in no time. Did plow through The Brothers K but Crime and Punishment is my favorite. For one thing it's much easier on the arm and hand muscles. Such a genius.

You are probably correct that opera and lit. are inborn but perhaps can be acquired. How can we convince GS to give it a try? I recommend Jonas Kaufmann. He can pick anything he likes, does not have to be Che Gelida Manina from La Boheme. For a manageable story we can suggest Chekhov's The Lady with the Toy Dog, or Tolstoy's The Death Of Ivan Ilych. That may get him interested in my daily preoccupation, ha ha.

[tinam7]

Oh what the heck, I'll try again. What is the resounding word for this time? Begins with P. Try Jonas Kaufmann, Recondita armonia from Tosca, Puccini, the Italians have opera. The short version, 2.52, has English subtitles and the P word will reveal itself in a most glorious voice. I may just have to learn to do this myself but then watch out, there will be no end of the human voce stirring everyone's P.

[GenSec]

Reading all this literature and Dostovesky talk leaves me feelin' uncultured, lol! So i'll stick to maintaining a diplomatic silence on the subject!

CN is right; you have to be born with the opera bug. I definitely wasn't. Aside from the suggestion Tinam has made in the past of strapping me to a chair and forcing me to endure The Tales of Hoffmann i cannot ever imagine myself ever sitting through anything like that. I subjected myself to 10-15 minutes of that ordeal and that was more than enough to last me a lifetime! No thanks!

I've never heard of Verdi, Puccini, or Bellini, then again I'm not an opera buff! I don't think I've ever seen opera before. I don't know why, exactly. It just never happend!

You hear that, Tina!? There you go - why don't you give up on me and convert CN into an opera buff, haha! She sounds willing!

Thanks,
Gen.