Regarding Classical Music

[Anarchemitis]

For those (to whom I believe are few) who genuinely enjoy classical peices, I'd just like to say I love classical music beyond any onther genre. In my opinion a Rap song is a repetitive peice of music with somebody bumbling though slapstick poetry or just simply advetising violence, drugs or other immoral behavior.
Classical peices are magnificent peices of art that tell a story and emulate emotions and pictures. Just think of any Orchestral peice: the composor had to be nothing short of a genuis just to write it! Can you envision in your head writing notes for 60 people at once?

Oh, and for those who are condusive to my beliefs, does anyone know a grander peice than Gustav Holst's "Jupiter" from the planets suite?
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=L6NopU9K_8M
In my opinion 'Pictures at an Exhibition' by Mussorgsky comes pretty close.
What's your take on classical music?

 

[wilsonscrazybed]

For those (to whom I believe are few) who genuinely enjoy classical peices, I'd just like to say I love classical music beyond any onther genre. In my opinion a Rap song is a repetitive peice of music with somebody bumbling though slapstick poetry or just simply advetising violence, drugs or other immoral behavior.
Classical peices are magnificent peices of art that tell a story and emulate emotions and pictures. Just think of any Orchestral peice: the composor had to be nothing short of a genuis just to write it! Can you envision in your head writing notes for 60 people at once?

On rap music.
Broadly lumping "rap" in with the shit they pass off today as music is a very dangerous thing. Today most Black music has very little in common with the message of the hip hop even twenty years ago. There will always be musicians who pander to the masses in hopes of making it big. Even your precious Modest Mussorgsky was part of a group of Russian nationalists known as 'The Five.' Let's put it this way, if those guys were alive today and American they probably would have written this song http://youtube.com/watch?v=RssIN3ustUw .

Since we're trading music links you should go back and listen to Public Enemy (specifically Fear of A Black Planet). I realize that by today's standards this is tame and old sounding, it is however a real turning point for Black music. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZAmPhbpK6y8 . In the day though it was the one of the first times young black men were allowed to express their anger in a productive way.

Yes music has gotten simpler, but it's cyclic.

EDIT: NWA=Public Enemy.

 

[zen5887]

Aaah Classical music.

Where would we be without it. Chromatic Fantasy by Bach is a fav of mine (mainly cos there is a bass solo version of it). Having played classical music with both an upright and an eletric bass I have to say that its a nice genre to listen to..

Now about the Rap thing. I agree that there is a lot of crap around but you shouldnt judge it by what you see/hear on MTV..

I recomend a fello by the name of Buck 65 (http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=_YsmRzNVwxs) if you want some decent rap.

I like pretty much all types of music. Metal, Jazz, Reggae, Rock, Funk. All good.

 

[Girlysprite]

well said Wilson.

It is hard to tell what music is 'good' and what is not anyways. Some things can be said about the complexity of music, but that doesn't make it good, or enjoyable to listen to.

Writing music isn't always a process of writing for 60 people at the same time. Often it is establishing a main melody line, and then establishing the lines around it. Like painting a landscape. First a rough sketch, then details. Not that writing music doesn't require skill, but with some training and education you come quite a long way.

I enjoy all kinds of music by the way. Not only classical music, but also nowadays popular music (well, except nowadays rap and Britney like stuff).

 

[Frybird]

Classical Music makes Movies great and positively influences Rock, Prog and Metal.

I guess i like it.

 

[REDPill357]

Tchaikovsky has written some great stuff. He's one of my favorites.

Out of Holst, I can only remember Mars, the Warbringer.

Beethoven is amazing, though. What other piece of music has become as cliche as Beethoven's 5th: First Movement, with Destiny knocking at the door?

 

[Dubiousduke]

I'm a Philip Glass man, myself, though he's more of a contemporary classical composer.

His Edtude No.1 is a classic. minimalistic, yet surprising at every tempo change

 

[fastforward]

Classical is always good studying music, also great background for pulling off some slow motion gun play.
On the rap string, there is some good stuff out there thats not all guns and bitches. As said earlier NWA is a good place to start in your appreciation, I personally am a fan of lupe fiasco and soul position. check em out.

 

[laikenf]

Music is music. Now I can't say that I actually listen to classical music, but I have learned a lot from it as a musician and I particulary enjoy Beethoven's 6th symphony (the Pastoral). But I'm more of a jazz man, I need to groove when I listen to music.

 

[Ciarog]

Anyone ever hear Für Elise played by a bluegrass band? There's really a place for the banjo in concerto.

 

[Anarchemitis]

It's not that I only like Classical music. It's just I don't care for songs promoting immorality, drugs, very bad things to do, etc.
Also, I still have anyone to respond to my question:
Can anyone find a grander peice of music than Holst's Jupiter?

 

[Larenxis]

Jupiter is a beautiful piece of music. It didn't really sweep me in, but I guess to get that you need to be in front of a real orchestra. When it comes to classical music, I like Tchaikovsky (my favourite song was Waltz of the Flowers for a long time) and Vivaldi. I also like Chopin and Erik Satie.

Whenever I hear something that makes me lose faith in music, I find I don't regain my faith through classical music. I seek reassurance in stuff like Patrick Watson, or sometimes Sam Roberts or Stars. Even though old music is wonderful, I like to see that living people can create something of great beauty. There is so much horrid music out there, it's only purpose to make money, that sometimes I need a stronger crutch than Mozart.

 

[Girlysprite]

Anarchemitis; Yes, I know one piece that moved me far greater. The ending piece of les dialogues des Carmelites, an opera written by Francis Poulenc. The opera is (very basic) about a group of nuns during the french revolution, and in the end piece they sing salve regina (a musical prayer to Maria), while they are beheaded one by one. During this music, which is very moving by itself, you keep hearing the blade of the guillotine falling, and each time one voice of the choir drops away, until just one voice is left...and cut away by the blade.
Not only the music is moving, but also the theme. People who stand up for their believes, and do not fear to die for it, and for each other.


Another very moving piece is the requiem of Faure, especially the opening, and also Pie Jesu is very serene. One of the best requiems in my book.

as for personal preferences; I prefer music from 19th and 20th century, romantic, impressionist and Expressionist styles.

ps; I have salve regina on my computer here, let me know if you want a listen. Its not on youtube.

 

[Larenxis]

I saw Les Dialogues Des Carmelites, I wasn't that big of a fan.

 

[The Reverend]

I listen to most genre's of music (RnB can go to hell) and classical is no exception. If the mood takes me I'd be more than happy to listen to some, though this is not very often and admittedly my knowledge of classical music goes about as far as Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. I think Moonlight Sonata is probably the only piece I could recognize. Sigh, I'm so uncultured.

 

[ComradeJim270]

I do like classical, but it doesn't work so well when I put it in a playlist with Rock and the like... hmmm...

 

[Saskwach]

Here's a risky post.
I tried to like classical music. I really did, I swear. But so much of it seemed to get me right in the mood it wanted, then go on some weird tangent that ruined it for me. So put me in the "doesn't get it" category.
Of course this was before I came to admire A Love Supreme (first reaction: "What is this shit?") so who knows. Anyone who wants to convert me will find a slightly wary student.

 

[laikenf]

Here's a risky post.
I tried to like classical music. I really did, I swear. But so much of it seemed to get me right in the mood it wanted, then go on some weird tangent that ruined it for me. So put me in the "doesn't get it" category.
Of course this was before I came to admire A Love Supreme (first reaction: "What is this shit?") so who knows. Anyone who wants to convert me will find a slightly wary student.

Hey man a lot of people feel the same, it's just that most won't admit it. But anyway classical music is actually an acquired taste and the truth is that times have changed and music has changed with it. Some people enjoy listining to classical music while others much rather simply treasure it.