Classical (or orchestral) Music and Opera

[Lady Scaper]

Hi, I looked through this thread and I realized there is not discussion on classical music. (I dunno maybe it isn't that popular) But I thought I would start one. Also I am terrible with names of pieces.

I started this thread since I was looking for a place to download some classical stuff for my father *embarrassed*

I first got into classical music when I started taking violin lessons. one of my favourite pieces is Corelli's Christmas concerto ( I love the solo part and the cello for that).

Also I love finding them used in modern applications like in Sampling ( rap song that out in the past couple of years sampled Vivaldi).

I have been to a couple concerts and they are quite fun (I have been accused of being a chair dancer)

About Opera I don't know much about it, although I did get to go to very small opera show once. I do find when I listen to it, if I am feeling down sometimes it makes me feel better.

[ruukii]

I love classical musics!!! *_________* I don't have any favs but I really enjoyed playing Moonlight Sonata <3~ Opera? I have never watch any ^^;

[Jaws]

Classical music + Ballet ... and my favourite is 'The Nutcracker Suite' by Tchaikovsky. There is just something about Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy that makes me light headed ... ah, and I'm going to a performance end of next month ^^

Another favourite of mine is Bach's Prelude and Fugue in D major, I used to love playing this piece ... hmm ... I should probably clean the dust off the score, haven't played it in years >_<

I haven't been with a Western Orchestra for a long time, so have been a bit out of touch. I'm more familiar with Chinese Classical Music these days since it's what I'm learning. Not sure how many here is interested in that though ... lol ... I'm into something that's even less popular XD

[Peachilicious]

I love classical and orchestral music, although I'm not familiar with very much of it.

I've been to one concert a few years ago put on by my city's philharmonic orchestra. There was quite a selection of short works (including some opera... but I honestly can't remember what ^^; ) but the highlight was the final piece, Dvorak's Symphony no. 9 "From the New World". That was simply breathtaking hearing it live.

Some of my favorites are Orff's Carmina Burana, Rossini's William Tell (particularly the overture), Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King, and Satie's Gymnopédies (some of my personal favorite piano pieces of all time).

@Jaws: Chinese classical music sounds interesting to me, since I've never heard any before. Do you have any recommendations? :)

[Jaws]

@Jaws: Chinese classical music sounds interesting to me, since I've never heard any before. Do you have any recommendations? :)

Took me awhile to find something that's of good quality, here are 2 as an intro to Chinese Classical Music ( hopefully the links work ). The first one is performed with Er-hu ( Chinese Violin ) and Yang Qin ( Chinese hammered dulcimer ), the second with Er-hu and Piano :

http://music.guqu.net/guquplayer2.asp?UrlID=1&MusicID=5603

http://music.guqu.net/guquplayer2.asp?UrlID=1&MusicID=5421

[Lady Scaper]

Could you tell me what link I am supposed to press once I get to the music player site? I can't figure out how to get the music started.

[Peachilicious]

Wow, thank you so much for finding those for me Jaws. :)

The first one is nice, the Er-hu is very interesting to listen to in this one, haha. The second one though, I'm completely in love with - I've had it on repeat for the past hour. The slower parts are especially beautiful. Thanks again!

Lady Scaper, are you using Firefox by any chance? I do and I couldn't get it to work so I had to switch to IE (which worked fine).

[Jaws]

@ Lady Scaper : hmm ... I'm not sure where the problem lies, since it's supposed to play automatically once you open the site. Perhaps it is due to reasons Peachilicious stated above o.O? Either that or the website itself might be down, but that rarely happens though.

@ Peachilicious : You're very welcome, and I'm glad you enjoyed the music. Ofcourse Er-hu is not the only type of instrument in Chinese Classical Music, there is also Pi-pa ( Chinese Lute ), Gu-Zheng ( Zither ), and Di-zi ( Flute ) ... just to name a few. Those 2 pieces above are solo pieces, and there are ofcourse Orchestral pieces that involves all instruments :)

[rei_ai]

Well, I always thought Mozart and the likes were boring genius.

But after watching Nodame Cantabile I got attracted to Classical music and appreciated their legacy.

Now I wish I studied piano and other orchestral instruments before.

While watching Saiunkoku Monogatari, I loved the sound of nikou (er-hu). It gives a very nostalgic and at the same time lonely tune. Very fitting for angst moments.

[Tomodachi69]

I used to think classical and such were boring, but after playing in more and more orchestras with more and more experienced people and conductors, I've really grown to appreciate the genre. I'm also more aware of the many things happening in the sections that I used to not even notice, especially after playing the pieces.

[GIN_ofTheFunk]

I love opera, but I prefer Requiems- especially those by Mozart and Verdi. I've been singing at a opera chorus about 6 years but I quit 'cause of my univesity exams )=
As for my fav operas- Verdi and Wagner's, totally. I cannot specify, they all are great.