h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've never listened to classical music much, but I've recently discovered that I rather like it.

Or to be precise, I listened a concert of Johann Strauss's music from Vienna on radio 3 and I liked it.

So if I like that, what else may I like?

Hmmm, Viennese Waltzes...

Have you tried this?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Strictly-Come-Dancing-Bruce-Forsyth/dp/B0006841OC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325753780&sr=8-2

>>I listened a concert of Johann Strauss's music from Vienna on radio 3 and I liked it. So if I like that, what else may I like?

Strauss is one of the most familiar of all composers, so perhaps you'd like other familiar ones, even if they're in different styles?

You'll know this from the 'ads'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qx2lMaMsl8

You should have a look at A640180 Introduction to Orchestral Music. You'll see that Johann Strauss is Middle Romantic, so you could listen to some of the other composers from that period, such as Mendelssohn Tchaikovsky, or Dvorak.

Strauss is considered to be the lightest of all orchestral music - it's the musical equivalent of champagne - bubbly and something you'd have at a party but not to be taken too seriously.

I had exactly the same experience some years ago. I think I heard a piece from Mozart on the radio and I loved it. You might think about getting a classical compilation album - it will introduce you to a large number of different composers and their styles. Mozart and Beethoven are still some of my favourites, as well as Schubert and Grieg. Also, Samuel Barber (Adagio for Strings). Wonderful.

Also come the summer once again the BBC will no doubt be doing their grand set of orchestral performances, the promenade concert series. A whole range of music styles, players and performances. Listen to or watch on the TV a few of those (some of the concerts have been repeated recently on both TV and radio) and you might get more ideas, even if it is more idea of the stuff you don't like.

I asked similar a while ago. can anyone recommend any of the kind of stuff you can't hum?

It's a cliche, but you can't go wrong with Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

Tune your radio to Classic FM.

If Hoo's got away with Vivaldi, can I suggest Carl Orff?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD3VsesSBsw

Arvo Pärt - Tabula Rasa

(Some may know his 'Fratres' from the soundtrack of 'There Will Be Blood')

Tabula Rasa - Arvo Pärt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0uYpYHOYB8


You may find the following suggestions rather emotional, but if you don't like them, at least you'll know.

Bruch Violin Concerto No 1 - Jascha Heifetz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLtQWM6cJU0

Richard Strauss - Death and Transfiguration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8kn1RnYZd0&feature=fvst

Beethoven, Symphony No 7 - Karajan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBfKXHoSvDM

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 21
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df-eLzao63I

Mahler Symphony No 5 Adagietto - Karajan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwyYyfP0b0w

Elf. I was going to post the 'Silentium' bit (movement?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXHsEU_WHnk&feature=related

Sorry, I hadn't heard the piece. I'll listen later.

Just remembered this one:

Albinoni's Adagio in G minor - Karajan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuh3WyfVL2M&feature=related

Tippet - A Child of Our Time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K64s6Lp8ZU

Gorecki - Symphony No 3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plMd6K4_ENY

Tavener - The Protecting Veil:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkgN9OjMXgw

Z, this is degenerating into a free-for-all, where everybody just posts their favourite piece of music. I seriously suggest that if you like Johann Strauss, you won't be immediately enamoured of Arvo Pärt or John Tavener. Leave them for later.

Next time you're in the car on the motorway
and feel the need for a little driving music
like Steppenwolf (Born To Be Wild) or one of
Queen's anthems to exuberance in the fastlanes
of conformity, try instead a little Handel.

The most plastic of modern econocars becomes a
Brass Era classic with a proper feel of wind
in your hair and hair on your chest.


~jwf~

Gnomon:

>>I seriously suggest that if you like Johann Strauss, you won't be immediately enamoured of Arvo Pärt or John Tavener. Leave them for later.

Except he didn't know he's like Strauss until he heard it. As per the subject line, he *might* like Pärt. Or he might not. It's worth a punt. And chances are someone else might like it, so it's not entirely a waste of electronic ink.

Plus how would you judge what music Strauss fans will more likely like and more likely not like, G? Serious question.

Hey - at least I stuck to Classical. I could've posted Beefheart.

I don't know Beefheart, but it sounds like metal. I think Strauss is closer to metal than to Arvo Part.