luckyman wrote:
I don't like the tag 'classical' because most of the stuff I listen to is un-classical , I prefer the word 'orchestral' .'Classical' as a word is like pigeonholing under 'pop' all things from Bucks Fizz to Joy Division - labels of any kind are never a good idea.
Anyway the composer who means the most to me is Mahler .He wrote the most emotionally charged music ever written and listening to him is like exploring a vast ocean or the universe - pop/rock or what you call it , no matter how good it is, is like dipping your toes in a bucket of water in comparison .
I agree that the term 'Classical' doesn't really cover the wide spectrum of music labeled as 'Classical'. It covers so many types: orchestral, solo, opera, ballet music, film scores and more besides. I think you do need a label to some extent to distiguish between the types of music or it would be too vague.
Jan H wrote:
When I was at (convent
) school, as we filed in and out of assembly each day, there would be a piece of classical music playing and the name of the piece and its composer would be displayed on a stand on the stage.
Obviously in our teens, we were never particularly interested
However, many years later, I really appreciate the almost subliminal knowledge of classical music that I gained in this way and now recognise many fairly obscure pieces ........ I suppose six years of brainwashing pays dividends at some point!
My favourites are Grieg's 'Peer Gynt' and Holst's 'Planets'
Not quite classical (but based on manuscripts of poems found in the early 1800's), I also love Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana' cantata.
In fact, this has inspired me have a cultural day!
Jan, you are lucky if you can remember the name of the piece and its composer, I struggle with that. I feel I ought to know it sometimes but there is not a lot to go on. I saw an advert the other day, I think Fingal's Cave was used, but I'm not sure.
I also love Peer Gynt, The Planets and Carmina Burana.
I love Vaughan Williams music too. I studied his Serenade to Music at school, it is so beautiful. There are a few clips here, conducted by Leonard Bernstein.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/recsradio/radi ... fix=dp_img