The favourite classical music and opera thread

[Elliot]

This is one my favorite pieces. Its a violin sonata with piano accompaniment written by Sergei Prokofiev. It is dark, emotional and powerful. Prokofiev described the close to the 1st(4:55 in the video) and 4th movements(5:29) as "wind passing through a graveyard". My favorite part is the climax in the 4th movement(4:30 in the video) with the shattering chords of the piano.

Oistrakh & Richter plays Prokofiev (Op.80) 1st mvt
Oistrakh & Richter plays Prokofiev (Op.80) 2nd mvt
Oistrakh & Richter plays Prokofiev (Op.80) 3rd mvt
Oistrakh & Richter plays Prokofiev (Op.80) 4th mvt

 

[dannyshenanigan]

I really hate when classical pieces are ruined by stupid commercials or movies.
For instance I would probably enjoy Orff's "O Fortuna" much more if it wasn't in the trailers of a million terrible action movies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuERh0jBjh8

Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmqVWsIz6pc&feature=related gets so gloriously epic halfway through.

 

[Smidgey]

There seem to be a lot of Romantic pieces so far, but in my opinion Baroque is far superior to Classical and Romantic.

My favourite composer of all time is by far Handel, here are a few of what I consider (and many others) to be his best work:

This performance of Ombra Mai Fu that I found on Youtube has to be one of the best I have ever heard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyRzsQdeakE

The first 'Ombra' is fantastic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbCnqoxmyCE Endless pleasure is a really joyous piece, but be careful not to type 'Endless Pleasure' into Google for obvious reasons.

Again, another one you might want to be careful when typing into Google - Pious Orgies from Judas Maccabaeus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLP_23nnmH8

Zadok the Priest is always superb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WbBKBiGFUY&feature=related The problem with youtube is that it simply cannot capture the magnitude of this piece. Despite having republican tendencies, I'm still looking forward to Prince Charles' coronation to see this played on the television screens - but I don't want to wish the Queens death just for that.

This Aria from Guilio Cesare - V'adoro Pupille - is sung very well in this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPSKAN58mpc&feature=related

Finally, Rejoice Greatly from Messiah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNt1Qj4MA6M (I don't like this particular performance, but it will have to do)

I know there are many more famous Handel pieces than some that I have mentioned, but these are all great.

 

[Fifty]

I din't notice this thread before, but will try to make up for it.
Allow me to introduce my current favourite composer, Joseph Martin Kraus.
Here is his Wiki-entry:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Martin_Kraus
I haven't found a complete discography, but here is his Naxos page with some excellent albums. http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Joseph_Martin_Kraus_21827/21827.htm
And finally, a few youtubes:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Joseph+Martin+Kraus&search_type=&aq=-1&oq=

Currently listening to his Piano Trio in D Major on Naxos... very nice. I love chamber music from this era.

 

[Phlegmak]

"Ship crashed upon rocks" or whatever it's called by Rimsky-Khorsakov. It's nothing less than amazing.

This is the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w_Wl_lN1Mw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeS-d5hEcLE


Russian Easter Festival Overture. It's Rimsky Korsakov's best song. This particular version isn't as good as the one I have on cassette.

 

[jeps]

I rather enjoy the music from Aram Katchachurian's Spartacus.

 

[classical_hero]

Here is some Bach and the Organ. Their is a reason why Mozart called the Organ the King of Instruments.
This is the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FXoyr_FyFw
His Prelude and Fugue in C. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpXUvSjHqZU
This one is a Prelude and Fugue in D minor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1pLAw6-ujg&feature=related

Here is something that is not Bach, but it does have a sort of a relationship to Bach. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FmGtCIOwB4 Well this is a toccata, so it is not to dissimilar from Bach in that way, but it is very much a modern take on it.

 

[Fifty]

Just discovered Faure's Nocturnes... incredible!!!

 

[aronnax]

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

Butterfly Lovers
My favourite Concerto, this just a small bit of it.

You dont know how many nice Classics are ruined by Asian Pop stars you believe its like goddamned duty to hype up all the pieces

 

[Mirc]

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

Butterfly Lovers
My favourite Concerto, this just a small bit of it.

You dont know how many nice Classics are ruined by Asian Pop stars you believe its like goddamned duty to hype up all the pieces

Who composed that? I can see it's mainly pentatonic, which would suggest an Asian composer (or Native American but I somehow doubt it ).

The beginning sounds a lot like Tchaikovski's first concert for piano. I think it might begin exactly with these notes, although I can't remember in what key the beginning of this one was.

I like it, very nice, smooth and melodic.

 

[aronnax]

The full thing is 27 mins long and I enjoy listening to it while reading. Its actually inspired by an old Chinese legend, very beautiful story. Our Romeo and Juliet as Wikipedia puts it.

The legend
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_Lovers
The Concerto
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_Lovers'_Violin_Concerto

 

[Bast]

I've finally decided on my favourite classical music eras and composers.

My favourite eras are the late Baroque period and the early to mid Romantic-era periods.

From those periods my favourite composers are Bach and Pachelbel, and Schubert and Strauss II, respectively.

I do like other periods and composers too but these stand out for me.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

I love George Gershwin. His music is so...American.

Rhapsody in Blue

And Leonard Bernstein playing the piano!

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiyc9Ak3EtQ

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOcuvv01nO4

Here, have some Bernstein, too.

Overture to "Candide"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422-yb8TXj8

 

[SpiritWolf]

1. The epic 5th symphony by Beethoven. (Beethoven's fifth was only a third! )
2. Chopin's posthumous Nocturne in C#- (Such melancholy)
3. Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto (No explanation needed ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZRbko3UsnQ
4. Smetana's Vltava http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8G9qHNS68s
5. Puccini's Un bel di from Madama Butterfly
6. Bach's Largo ma non tanto from his two-violin concerto. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaUY8bU5XBI
...and plenty more.

Whichever is my favorite, depends on my mood.

 

[bestbrian]

When playing my games as Isabella I like to listen to "Lucia". It just seems to fit.

 

[Fifty]

Continuing my recent Faure fascination, listening to his Barcarolle's. I like his Nocturnes more, but these are very good as well!

 

[Bast]

Anyone a fan of Debussy? What do you think about the concept of Impressionist Music?

 

[RedRalph]

I like Debussy, but couldnt even name any of his music. Very cinematic and atmospheric though.

 

[Fifty]

I recently got a bargain-bin Debussy album of some of his Images for orchestra, and I have to say I'm not a big fan. I would describe it as too cinematic.

Faure, on the other hand, I absolutely cannot get enough of lately! Currently listening to his cello sonata in D Minor, which, thanks to luceafarul, is the first Faure piece I heard.

 

[Bast]

I like Debussy, but couldnt even name any of his music. Very cinematic and atmospheric though.

That's what I like about it. I can't say he's my favourite though. But I will keep exploring. Surely you know Clair de Lune?