<object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ij59zbvuHZM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ij59zbvuHZM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>
If we are going with more than one, than I would also mention most of Beethoven's stuff (especially Symphonies 5, 6, 7, and 9), a lot of stuff by Tchaikovsky, some Handel (the Messiah and Royal Fireworks Music), Dvorak's New World Symphony and various stuff by Bach including Cantata #140 ("Sleepers Wake"), Toccatta and Fugue in D Minor (the Phantom of the Opera), and the Mass in B Minor.
While it is obviously not technically correct, "Classical" is understood and most commonly used to mean the overarching orchestral, chamber, vocal, etc genre. While Manny may have been ignorant in his usage (I am not sure), it is a bit off to suggest that every usage is done out of ignorance. Hell, Gramophone uses it in their byline and most of the literature agrees to using it for lack of anything better.
Baroque era FTW Toccata and Fugue. You can never go wrong with use of countermelody. Now if you technically want "classical", I'd go with anything Mozart.
If I had to pick one, The Carnival of the Animals, Camile Saint-Saëns The Aquarium is probably the most famous section: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AsD0FDLOKGA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AsD0FDLOKGA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> I really like Bartok's Romanian Dance Op. 8a: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ibaWiMYYUnw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ibaWiMYYUnw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> but that is only 5 or so minutes of music from a single piano - not enough for a lifetime. Maybe a collection of Bartok solo piano works. The greatest moments I have on classical recordings all come during silence and the way echos react with the venue.
My gf plays the piano and has our wedding music picked out. And I'm ok with it. Working catering in college, I've heard the usual fare to death.
Not sure about favorite piece but my favorite recording is this one Love it in quadraphonic because it is 4 organs in a church so perfect for a quadraphonic recording.
<object style="height: 344px; width: 425px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nvhKTFzQG8Y"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nvhKTFzQG8Y" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></object>
Mozart's 23rd piano concerto 1st movement. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9vttZzUPg3A&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9vttZzUPg3A&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> DD
Since posting that I have been listening to it non stop, dang I gotta find that CD. Over/Under on this thread in page numbers? DD
here's something else to listen to non-stop, the finale of one of the greatest symphonies of the 20th century, and one of the most under appreciated. <object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eLOig_N14Dg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eLOig_N14Dg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>
Your assumption is correct, skippy. Next time I start a thread like this (like in several years), I will title it "Favorite Renaissance/Baroque/Classical/Romantic/20th Century/Modern Music Piece", hmmkay?
I've enjoyed classical music as much as any musician that can appreciate all genres, but it was Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries in Apocalypse Now that finally made me sit up and pay attention. And I've been hooked on classical ever since. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gz3Cc7wlfkI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gz3Cc7wlfkI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> "Charlie hates Wagner" Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore (Duvall) And you gotta love the young Laurence Fishburne in this flick!
For that one, my favorite recording at the moment is Levin/Hogwood: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mozart-Piano-Concertos-Nos-22-K482/dp/B00000HY9H Levin might be the most "authentic" Mozart performer. He does all the embellishments and improvisations that were typical of that period, though is often skipped over in modern performances. That particular recording is also done on period instruments. It gives the impression that you are listening to the music as Mozart intended.
If you like Bach and are into SACD's you really need to check out Harmonia Mundi's new release of Brandenburg Concertos with Richard Egarr and the Academy of Ancient Music. Sure, Brandenburg has been a bit overdone, but not only is the quality of recording great - there are some nice differences to make it unique. First, they are recorded more as a chamber set - one player per part, and second, they lowered the pitch to "French Baroque" so everything sounds smoother and warmer. It is often successful and overall a great listen.
And, the thread drops to the 2nd page.....come on people.....some of you have to have SOME culture in your musical tastes. DD
Largo from Handel's "Xerxes" <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uMlxM69ZJFA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uMlxM69ZJFA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
