Classical music preferences

[millymog11]

My ex husband could only listen to Bach or some kind of baroque.

I used to be of his view but listening to Piano Concerto No.5 in Eb major Opus 73 (2/3)
Ludwig van Beethoven on the radio how could anyone not get the subtle tones the beauty? I don't like rachmaninov but I think I am being converted.
Am I being unreasonable?

that boy knew how to write a lively tune!

that boy knew how to write a lively tune!

Every year I hold back from listening to The Messiah until the first of December. The first blast of "Unto Us a Child is Born" (very loud) is a highlight of the year.

I am very fond of Chopin especially

Its just so pretty and yet so dramatic too

Also Mozart Concerto No. 21 in C Major,

I get others dont like them but I think they are beautiful so IMO like what you like and enjoy it.

For balance, I think "Beethoven's fifth piano concerto" is more pretentious than the full description that was obviously copied and pasted from an app - someone fully conversant with classical music wouldn't have had to look it up.

I like a bit of Shostakovich, myself. Bach always makes me think of Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.

The 4ths which the PP refers to, describes the intervals or gaps between notes. Originally music largely had a tune only, no harmonies, similar to folk music. When harmonies were created in Western music, they were primarily written in 5ths or 4ths, which can sound strange to our ears now. Later on, during the Renaissance, harmonies became diatonic - harmonies were written in 3rds and 6ths (but some other intervals were kept). Pop music today is largely diatonic, if there are harmonies. At the end of the 19th / beginning of 20th century, composers began to break down these intervals again ( among other things, too long to explain here)
to create a new, discordant sound, and include other intervals which sounded edgier.

I hope this makes sense OP. The actual development of Western Music is protracted and complex, but fascinating. I would suggest listening to what you like and perhaps using the "suggested for you" pieces to explore more.

I love choral music, particularly by Eric Whitacre and Ola Gjeilo, but my real passion are madrigals!

Only commenting on this because you criticised a previous poster abour their description of a piece of music.
Handel's oratorio is called Messiah not The Messiah.

DH told me that at a University interview the interviewer noticed that he had said on his application that he liked music and announced that he thought music had gone steadily downhill since Bach died. As a gauche 17 year old who was actually fond of Prog Rock this left poor DH pretty stumped for something to say.

Did Handel write the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba? I can’t help but skip about whenever I hear that glorious music.

Did Handel write the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba? I can’t help but skip about whenever I hear that glorious music.
Yes he did. It's from another of his oratorios, Solomon.

@Malbecfan

Ooh, will check those out. Love a bit of Bach. And a bit of many other composers 🤓

@HesterShaw1

For Oomph also see: Verdi😄
I put on the Dies Irae from his Requiem after teen DS1 made some provocative remark about classical music being boring.
Afterwards: "well, all right. Not that one"😁

For those talking about Handel: here’s a lovely piece of dance that IMO brings the oomph, energy and brightness to life perfectly!

Handel's oratorio is called Messiah not The Messiah.

A hit, a very palpable hit.

I am suitably humbled (and in a less foul mood than I was this morning: apologies).

And as to Verdi:

Huge fun to sing, too. Hard work but exhilarating

My mum thinks "pop music" is anything written after 1750, which is the year Bach died.

For anyone thinking the Dies Irae from the Verdi Requiem is brilliant (but bonkers), you should try the Berlioz Requiem.
I actually quite fancy that at my funeral, but think my surviving relatives might struggle to pull together the required choir and orchestra at short notice 🤣

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats

😂

Musical taste is not a fixed thing, it evolves over time I think. There may be some pieces you always like, but it is a never ending aspect of life that you can be introduced to music never heard before.

Bach will always be my favourite but I listen to the Early Music Show on Radio 3, Sundays and it nearly always has something fabulous.
If you like early music.
It introduced me to the music of Jan Dismas Zelenka, for one.

I'm with you @warmeduppizza

Well if @millymog11 doesn't mind a slight derail, I got into an interesting debate with some of our peri music staff a few years ago. We had to nominate our favourite or what we considered to be the best symphonies by different composers up to 9. So composer A's 1st symphony, composer B's 2nd and so on up to composer I's 9th. It provoked some heated discussions and some angst as to what to leave out. If I can find mine, I'll post them later...

Bloody love the Verdi requiem. Did you see the prom?

@HesterShaw1

No, is it still on iPlayer?

I’ve been enjoying choral music more lately…

and there’s nothing that beats Mozart’s Flute and Flute & Harp concertos on a summer’s day eg