Ross
Senior Member
I'm a fan of early "classical", renaissance or medieval. Back then there was often little or no difference between secular "folk" music and the religious music that later led to the Classical genre.
This contemporary Russian composer, Nikolai Kapustin, recently came to my attention. His piano etudes are not Jazz, but they are informed by Jazz. And they are quite impressive.
My Dad's tastes were all over the place. So, it would be Hank Williams and Earl Scruggs one moment, then Mozart and Beethoven, then Harry Belafonte and the Kingston Trio next next. And I thank him for that.
But as a kid, the classical music was this massive impenetrable wall of sound I couldn't get through.
Then, I was maybe 16 sitting on the couch reading a magazine. I looked up from my magazine to see my Dad looking into my eyes while he was conducting what I found out was the 1st Movement of Beethoven's 6th symphony. And I thought "Holy crap! This guy can follow this stuff. He actually knows what is happening here". I discovered that I could actually tap my foot to this stuff. From there my journey began with "classical" music.
Where it really took off for me was when CDs came on the market in the mid-1980s. People were dumping their classical vinyl records at used record stores and I could buy a boxed set of the complete Schubert symphonies for $10. It was a fabulous time for buying classical records for next to nothing.
Technically, Classical refers to the period between Baroque and Romantic eras. The genre as a whole is the Common Practice Period, although that doesn't include modern music, so, roughly 1600 to 1910.I guess I'm in the minority, but I detest the word 'classical' and it's implied age and superiority. Can something be contemporary and classic at the same time?
I prefer 'symphonic' or 'string quartet' or whatever. And I can really appreciate the musicality and vision of many composers. Stuff far beyond my imagination.
Okay, so it's 1600 to 1750 for me. I also really like Philip Glass, but I have not idea how he is classified. Modern? Post-modern?roughly 1600 to 1910.
Don't know if it's accurate, but I've heard that genre referred to as minimalist. It would also include Terry Riley and Steve Reich.Okay, so it's 1600 to 1750 for me. I also really like Philip Glass, but I have not idea how he is classified. Modern? Post-modern?
I graduated high school in 1976, and went into "competition" for all-state choir in my senior year. I ended up being the only kid from my high school to make it, but boys always had better odds than the girls because there were so many more of them.
My making the choir probably had more to do with my ability to hit a low E (same as the low E on a guitar) reliably, and that was something not too many high schoolers could do. It also turns out there were a lot of them in this piece, part of an all American composer performance for the bicentennial.
It's a very powerful piece.
I pretty much agree, the word "Classical" is used to cover a very large range of musical styles. A bit like using one word to cover Blues, Jazz, Bluegrass, Country & Western, Rockabilly, Rock & Roll, Heavy Metal and probably quite a few other stylesI guess I'm in the minority, but I detest the word 'classical' and it's implied age and superiority. Can something be contemporary and classic at the same time?
I prefer 'symphonic' or 'string quartet' or whatever. And I can really appreciate the musicality and vision of many composers. Stuff far beyond my imagination.
An example of a choral part that blows me away is this one. Especially the melodies they launch into around 01:06 into the piece. Delibes- Lakme (Duo of the Flowers)
And live, Beethoven's Ode To Joy will send lighting up and down your spine.
Best flash mob ever...
Live, Beethoven's Ode To Joy from Symphony No. 9 will send lighting up and down your spine. If you haven't experienced it live yet, I highly recommend it