Talk to me about classical music

[TheoneandObi]

I'd like to start listening to something new. I didn't have any education in classical music. Eighties/nineties pop music girl here! But I'd like to learn more and broaden my tastes.
So. Any suggestions?
I can be quite affected by music. I had a period of depression a few years back and music was literally painful to listen to, so I stopped. So I'd be interested in how I now cope with music which might be quite affecting iyswim
Thanks!

This thread is brilliant! Many great suggestions on here.

I’m certainly no expert on classical music, I have much to discover, but one musician I really like who hasn’t been mentioned yet is Trevor Pinnock, who plays the harpsichord like an angel. He has made many great recordings, but maybe check out some of his Bach pieces. There’s something about them that is just so perfectly, amazingly relaxing.

Another place to ‘start’ is YouTube. There’s an amazing pianist called Lord Vintheiro (?sp) who does short videos of “10 famous classical musical pieces you don’t know the names of” and similar - it’s funny, clever and very instructive. Also lots of orchestral/flash mobs/opera performances you can dip in and out of and find out what you like and don’t like.

Another one who was going to suggest Einaudi!
For contemporary classical check out Max Richter and Anna Meredith.

What started me off on my journey was a cd called Classic Experience. There's several volumes, Vol I has a lot of very well-known pieces, many of which have been used as tv themes or on adverts.

Mendelssohn piano concerto. Any one. Just find a quiet at hour or have it in the background.

I'm the most random person when it comes to my musical taste. I don't have a particular favourite genre, I like heaps of stuff, all different artists and decades and instruments and that. I'm not sure if they count as classical, (New-age? Folk?), but I like Celtic Woman because I think they have amazing voices:

Probably, not what you were asking for!

Too many beautiful pieces to choose from. I would also say start listening to classic FM and go from there

Placemarking.

If you like choral music, you'll probably love

Eighties/nineties pop music girl

I would definitely go listen to Philip Glass. I think you'll find his rhythmic intensity will be easily accessible - and he's worked with people like David Bowie and Brian Eno.

Probably not the best place to start with him but I was driving to work when this came on Radio 3 and I had to pull over and stop the car to listen to the rest of this piece. It's one of the few pieces of music that can make me cry. It's a slow build but the change of pace half way through - wham!

Michael Nyman is another. And this would be a good place to start with him. From the OST of the Draftsman's Contract

Pas de deux from The Nutcracker suite.
Piano concerto number 2 by Rachmaninoff
Swan lake

This is my favourite piece of music ❤️

ellanwood I was just coming on to suggest Allegri's Miserere. It's quite simply the most beautiful piece of choral music I've ever heard.

campion and ellanwood pretty much have it for early choral.
But how about trying some later choral too. eg. Faure Requiem and the vast repertoire of 20th century church music such as Howells Sumsion Darke etc.

Why don’t you have a look on Apple Music or Spotify and look up some classical music “best of” play lists? Then take note of what you like and don’t like. If you like JS Bach, for example - google him and you will discover that he composed during the Baroque era of music. Google Baroque music and that should give you more examples to explore. If you prefer Mozart, he is actually “real” Classical Music. Beethoven is “Romantic”. Don’t get sucked into “highbrow” versions of what you think people think you should learn - find what sparks joy! Speaking of which, I am an ex- Opera singer and somebody sent me this. It brought tears of joy during lockdown.

I just want to say that great music is meant to be enjoyed, as it is. It should stand alone. The listener does not need to be educated. The music comes to the listener, not vice versa.

Get Spotify and pick something at random. Deutsch Gramaphone is a great label. If the music doesn't make you feel relaxed, or excited, or sad, or whatever emotion you want to feel, hit next ands onto the next album.

I just want to say that great music is meant to be enjoyed, as it is. It should stand alone. The listener does not need to be educated. The music comes to the listener, not vice versa.

Yes - to a point but the more you know the more you can appreciate and select. For instance I know from bitter experience that I will probably NOT enjoy anything composed by Harrison Birtwhistle, or Pierre Boulez.

There is a Chinese pianist called Yuja Wang who plays all sorts of different styles of classical music. I often listen to her.

And music from popular ballets. Swan Lake or the Nutcracker.

You could also watch On Chesil Beach, that's about a classical musician and has some good pieces and insight. It's a good film too (the book, imo, was awful.)

Also, if you know you like a particular instrument, like a cello - look for cello music. Ie- Faure, Elgar, etc You’re probably not going to dig sousaphone oompah beer hall music.

Go to YouTube
Type in “Claude Debussy Clair De Lune”

You’re welcome

My children play brass instruments. My daughter the trumpet to a vary high standard, although she has veered towards jazz and big band. But through her I discovered Alison Balsom.
I must dig her out again. She was
One of the casualties of
My depression

Some people find it helps to have someone point out aspects of what they're listening to, that they would otherwise miss. It can open up the music for you.

For example, where it's part of the story/performance.

Or scary trolls which is part of the KS2 syllabus, and points out how the instruments are making you feel how you feel.

I've been playing/in a choir/listening for nearly 40 years, and took classical music up academically for a few years, and I still get a kick out of listening to these things - there's always a new 'ohhhhhh' moment.

Strauss, both father and son, composed mostly joyous if rousing music.
Carmen, the Opera is full of beautiful music and most of Mozart is worth a listen.
I agree with others who suggest a compilation CD of classical music.

And I agree - find radio 3 and stick it on regularly. Classical has infinite variety and style, and one person's dreamy meditation can be another's dreary dirge, so personal recommendations are really a stab in the dark.

Wait and you will at some point hear something that stops you in your tracks, for whatever reason. Beauty is in your ear alone, and you're just as likely to hear it in the sparse strings of a Bartok quartet, as some gooey wave of emotional golden syrup from Rachmaninov.

Thank you everyone. You've given me the courage to dip into Radio Three. Made it less scary! Weirdly I used to work with one of its presenters. Maybe I should start by listening to him.
Lots of other great ideas too xx