Gab on the Great Music

[Charles]

Here's something different listen to "Sad Violin", on YouTube, tell me what you think.

Although I'm not an expert I ran across a version by conducted by Erich Kleiber, he seems to have hit it just right, it was done in the 50's. Queen of the Night? if they can't hit high F6, they shouldn't even be in the building.

Looking for an opinion on Chopin, any ideas?

-- 06 Jan 2014, 20:28 --

I guess I'm a fan of piano concertos, just love to relax and listen.

[Nathrad Sheare]

I completely understand the need for relaxing listening. I like to unwind before bed sometimes with some solo piano music by Liszt, Rachmaninoff, or, yes, Chopin. I liked Chopin long before I ever heard of Liszt or loved Rachmaninoff. His scherzos are masterful, his rubato technique perfected in them. Then there's the timeless Raindrop Prelude. I used to repeat a listening of his Marcia Funebre at least three times before moving on. I always have enjoyed Chopin's talent with downward turning pieces. There are a few nocturnes of his that I find very moving, too, and his second piano concerto has... something... doesn't it? It may not be Rachmaninoff's second... but it has something. I admire Chopin's art very intently. I certainly think he's better than Debussy, even if the latter was the father of the Russian exquisiteness I love above all the rest.

As for "Sad Violin..." it sounds familiar. I will definitely let you know what I think. Erich Kleiber... I'm sure he's somewhere in my archives... I haven't yet been disappointed by any one of your suggestions.

Have you tried Liszt's "Un Sospiro" yet? I know it's probably not too easy to find a rendition that's any good, so I have a suggestion...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq-y9KGqssc
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSHwX2O7j2w

This has to be one of the most beautiful pieces ever composed for the piano. Liszt was a true genius. There will never be another one of him, just as there cannot be another Rachmaninoff or Chopin.

-- 06 Jan 2014, 23:57 --

I don't think I've yet heard a soprano who doesn't hit the highest possible notes in both arias of the Queen of the Night. I guess I won't even subconsciously tolerate any soprano who doesn't...

[Charles]

I just got done listening to Liszt Three Concert Etudes S.144 No.3 "Un Sospiro" , once again bravo! I wonderful concerto. Amazing, Hamlin does a superb job, timing is everything, and he doesn't skip time at all. I did a report on Liszt a number of years ago, I forgot just how great a composer Liszt is, thanks for the links. As for the Queen of the Night, I guess it's one of my standards for a truly legendary voice.

I could listen to Raindrops continuously, just a great piece of work.

[SedefOzbay]

I guess it won't be incorrect to say I am trying to like classical music. I sadly never had a favourite genre or artist of music. And I had to CHOOSE I wanted to like classical music Happily recently I started really liking to listen to classical music. Bu I don't think I have enough knowledge on the topic to declare a favourite. And if I tried to name some books, they wouldn't be much different from what you expect as the only names I can think of are of the popular classics (Für Elise, Requiem, Prelude in E minor)

[suzy1124]

I guess it won't be incorrect to say I am trying to like classical music. I sadly never had a favourite genre or artist of music. And I had to CHOOSE I wanted to like classical music Happily recently I started really liking to listen to classical music. Bu I don't think I have enough knowledge on the topic to declare a favourite. And if I tried to name some books, they wouldn't be much different from what you expect as the only names I can think of are of the popular classics (Für Elise, Requiem, Prelude in E minor)

Appreciating classical music, for most ppl has to be " an acquired taste "..........like fine wines and foods that'll never make the hit parade list of the " mundane ", just keep on listening and eventually you'll reach " Mavin " status...

I speak from my own experience...

[Nathrad Sheare]

SedefOzbay:

I'll prepare a list of links for you to try out. It won't be too long, and I hope you'll be able to appreciate them. I agree with suzy1124 when she says that classical music is an acquired taste. If you know how to listen, though, you'll find every bit of the emotion and rhythm in it that you will in the mainstream genres. Oh, and about your list... I like all three. I hope you stick around on this forum! Happy listening!

-- 12 Jan 2014, 01:17 --

SedefOzbay:

I'll prepare a list of links for you to try out. It won't be too long, and I hope you'll be able to appreciate them. I agree with suzy1124 when she says that classical music is an acquired taste. If you know how to listen, though, you'll find every bit of the emotion and rhythm in it that you will in the mainstream genres. Oh, and about your list... I like all three. I hope you stick around on this forum! Happy listening!

-- 12 Jan 2014, 01:33 --

I'm glad you got to hear "Un Sospiro," Charles! I listen to it at least once a week. I understand your standard of height regarding sopranos, too, in the role of the Queen of the Night. Speaking of height... I have this for you. It's Maria Callas singing The Bell Song from Delibes' "Lakme." It's from her legendary album, Lyric and Coloratura Arias. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN6IXWo_bpg

-- 13 Jan 2014, 02:42 --

Okay, here's a list of some of the most acclaimed classical performances in history. I loved them. I hope you will, too.

Elgar's Cello Concerto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J-Iwtzzge8

Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C Sharp Minor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtuMVBLEWJU

Chopin's Raindrop Prelude

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OFHXmiZP38

Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Ballet Suite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S76CGGPqI3s

Verdi's Aida: O Patria Mia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGfP38nd-U0

Verdi Rigoletto: Si Vendetta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ96iv00wKw

[NavyBrat]

I love classical music. I have been playing the piano since I was 4 and my mom made me learn classical. I actually ended up liking and then started teaching myself songs I knew my mom loved. Fur Elise l love, I also love Clare de Lune and Adaggio (Moonlight Sonata). I get so peaceful when playing those.

I went and bought a grand piano last year. Used but still something I wanted since I was little. I have played it once since I bought it. I guess it makes me think about what could have been if I hadn't have stopped going to a teacher. Oh well.

[suzy1124]

Nathrad!

thank you thank you!....for posting those links..............

[Nathrad Sheare]

NavyBrat:

I've been playing the piano since I was about fifteen. Of course, I've only had an instructional keyboard to guide me on my way to becoming the world's greatest stubby- fingered showman... and I don't know my notes... but playing is like therapy for me. I don't play many of the great pieces, five in total, but my heart is all in it! I love to compose, too. My works aren't anything fantastic or even acceptable but I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't make my own music! I'm glad to read from someone on this forum who knows what it's like to really connect to classical in the ultimate way. I don't think anyone can FULLY appreciate it unless they've at least tried once to play it.

Suzy1124:

No problem! Which was your favorite? I have a few more I'll be posting here in a second, well, one that caught me the other day. It's long, about an hour long, but it's a compilation, so... I just can't get enough of the great music! I listened to Tchaikovsky's The Sleeping Beauty the other night and found myself daydreaming about enough to fill a few books! Last night I was touched again by a listening of Verdi's La Forza del Destino, which I haven't heard in awhile... Great stuff. Here's the link I mentioned!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLkjMLdLf3s

[suzy1124]

Good Evening Nathrad!

I'm so sorry to say that nothing would download...puter not working well tonite, i'll try again tomorrow...

[Charles]

I just got done listening to Mozart's symphony No. 40 in G Minor, what a great symphony, Mozart continuously reminds me why he is still, in my 'opinion, the greatest of all time.Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake is another great listen for me, but I much prefer to watch and listen to Tchaikovsky, it's really good therapy for a hard day's work.

My work on Verdi continues, finished Macbeth, once again I'm thrilled at finding another favorite.

[suzy1124]

Always a " kick " to discover somwthing NEW...

[Nathrad Sheare]

Well, Charles... I've watched a video of Joan Sutherland singing Sempre Libera! I don't know how anyone can say she EVER sounds like an old woman. All the vibrancy I'm used to from her was there in that little Verdi gem. Of course, her high note at the end was enough to make me go, "YEAH!!!" I have to say, Callas' rendition will always be my favorite, though... I have it here... The woman just knew how to act with her voice SO well!!! I'm actually pulling out her Gioconda and Lucia as we speak, the 1959 ones (My iPod is the one piece of technology I have upon which I can thoroughly rely) After a week of Tchaikovsky's symphonies, ballets, and operas, so well as Rachmaninoff's piano works and Dvorak's orchestral greats, I need a fix. LOVED Joan's singing, once again... Now, I'm trying to find a video of that instrument you told me about... I'll post a link when I find one. Happy listening from Nathrad!

-- 16 Jan 2014, 03:07 --

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4cSVnqGmOc

Viva La Divina!

-- 17 Jan 2014, 18:56 --

I loved this! Thanks for the recommendation, Charles! Da Vinci was even more awesome than I thought previously!

The Viola Organista

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG7qvkGZkug

Oh, and I found a GREAT video recording for "The Sad Violin." I don't know if this is exactly the one you're talking about, but I thought it was fantastic...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EQ6eHeBrhM

Thanks for all your recommendations thus far! I'll be posting VERY soon again with a few more of my own. Again, thumbs up for the organista suggestion. I want one!

[Charles]

I have been on a Mozart and Beethoven kick as of late, right now Beethoven Symphony No.1 in C major, Op.21 .

[Nathrad Sheare]

I'm going to be listening to his opera, "Cosi fan Tutte" right after I finish "Gioconda" and have another listen to "Les Miserables." I'm feeling an urge toward the latter lately... You know what I really like of Mozart's works? His piano concerti. That man could ROCK a piano! I think that in his operas and concerti, he achieves a perfect blend of orchestra and soloist... Don't you?