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?

[bigbeautifulmonster]

@millymog11

bigbeautifulmonster · Yesterday 16:51 I don't want to "achieve" anything. I was just reflecting on my own response to a style of classical music. If it offends you no need to look?

🙄
You posted in "AIBU" which in its nature asks others a question. Your question was ambiguous so I asked you to clarify.

This is a discussion board, not a personal diary.

[ladygindiva]

I hate Bach and Baroque. Soulless and unemotional to me. Love Beethoven amongst many others.

[MrsAvocet]

@ladygindiva

I hate Bach and Baroque. Soulless and unemotional to me. Love Beethoven amongst many others.

I have no musical education at all so may be completely wrong here, but I think this is to a degree at least, a function of the instruments that were current at the time. My teenage DS plays the piano and we recently visited a historic house where they had a harpsichord. DS asked a few questions and the gentleman who was playing offered him the chance to have a go himself. He played a few pieces and commented how different it was to the piano - it's basically impossible to introduce any dynamics so everything does sound a bit mechanical. I would hazard a guess that the invention of the piano was a real game changer for composers as it became possible to introduce a lot more emotion into music written for keyboards anyway. Similar thongs may apply to othet instruments. I have no idea really, but I've listened to the Academy of Ancient Music playing on period instruments and the music does sound different

[FatOaf]

with regard to Vivaldi, I know what you mean about not standing it.

Try this...

[forinborin]

@MrsAvocet

I have no musical education at all so may be completely wrong here, but I think this is to a degree at least, a function of the instruments that were current at the time. My teenage DS plays the piano and we recently visited a historic house where they had a harpsichord. DS asked a few questions and the gentleman who was playing offered him the chance to have a go himself. He played a few pieces and commented how different it was to the piano - it's basically impossible to introduce any dynamics so everything does sound a bit mechanical. I would hazard a guess that the invention of the piano was a real game changer for composers as it became possible to introduce a lot more emotion into music written for keyboards anyway. Similar thongs may apply to othet instruments. I have no idea really, but I've listened to the Academy of Ancient Music playing on period instruments and the music does sound different

This is a very interesting observation. I think it is partially that (they still had violins and cellos to add emotion) and partially the required aesthetical standard of the time (baroque has a strong connection to religion, Vivaldi was a priest himself, Bach we all know about, Handel was actually criticised for being too pop at that time, if you read contemporary reviews you could bet the critics went to a Spice Girls concert, not Messiah). The only love is love for God, and austerity is a virtue.

I also noticed a strong correlation between liking Bach specifically and being mathematically inclined, but maybe just an anecdote.

[HesterShaw1]

@Malbecfan

My favourite Shostakovich is his 5th Symphony. I love listening to it and playing it. I'm not a massive fan of impressionist music at all (Debussy/Ravel); I prefer Rachmaninov and Mahler. I really dislike Elgar's Cello Concerto (sorry to whoever suggested it) but Dvorak, Schumann and Saint-Saens wrote brilliant ones. I also like the Haydn C major one. Vivaldi wrote a really good concerto for 2 cellos in G minor which I have played a few times.

If you have the time and are a fan of Romantic music, try some of Richard Strauss' symphonic poems. I like all of them, particularly Ein Heldenleben, Don Juan and Death & Transfiguration. I also love his Four Last Songs.

My favourite chamber music is probably by Schubert. I love the Octet and have happy memories of playing it a few years ago. I also love the Trout Quintet and his Quintet in C, the one for string quartet and an extra cello. The slow movement is sublime...

I heard the Trout while I was driving last night. Not for the first time I wondered how a trout could inspire five movements of chamber music!

[Malbecfan]

@forinborin I'm just not an Elgar fan. The cello concerto is too schmalzy for me, and it is over-played, much like the bloody Lark Ascending. People pull it around too much - the nicest version I heard was someone who hardly varied the tempo at all.

@HesterShaw1 I'm not trying to be patronising at all, but the Trout Quintet is only named that because the 4th movement is a set of variations on one of his songs, "Die Forelle" (The Trout). It's such a lovely piece

[forinborin]

@Malbecfan

@forinborin I'm just not an Elgar fan. The cello concerto is too schmalzy for me, and it is over-played, much like the bloody Lark Ascending. People pull it around too much - the nicest version I heard was someone who hardly varied the tempo at all.

@HesterShaw1 I'm not trying to be patronising at all, but the Trout Quintet is only named that because the 4th movement is a set of variations on one of his songs, "Die Forelle" (The Trout). It's such a lovely piece

I see. I am not from the UK so Elgar was a relatively late discovery for me - strangely enough, much less prominent outside of Britain. But I can totally see how it is massively over-played.

[HesterShaw1]

@Malbecfan

@forinborin I'm just not an Elgar fan. The cello concerto is too schmalzy for me, and it is over-played, much like the bloody Lark Ascending. People pull it around too much - the nicest version I heard was someone who hardly varied the tempo at all.

@HesterShaw1 I'm not trying to be patronising at all, but the Trout Quintet is only named that because the 4th movement is a set of variations on one of his songs, "Die Forelle" (The Trout). It's such a lovely piece

Ah that's why! Thanks 👍

[HesterShaw1]

Also yes, I can't stand it when different performers over interpret the music in an effort to be different. Just play it how the composer intended for god's sake. How many recordings of the bloody Four Seasons do there need to be?

"Pulling it around" is a good description.

[Igneococcus]

I don't much care for anything before Beethoven with the exception of Bach and really early music, and I absolutely can't stand opera.
My favourite composers are: Beethoven, Bartok, Mahler, Schubert, Shostakovich, Copeland, Mendelson.
Have a look at the you tube site of the HR Rundfunk Orchestra they have a fantastic selection of music, brilliantly performed and recorded.

[ParasiticMicrowasp]

@warmeduppizza

Anything from Beethoven onwards is a bit too modern for me, but people look at me like I have three heads when I say that.

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