Classical Music.
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pianomankris
New member
Classical is, of course, c.1770-1830.
However, i think he means classical in the broader sense.
And this broader sense of classical can be defined by a more rigid and structured harmony; a more developed sense of 4-part harmony, predominantly performed on acoustic instruments.
Most examples posted contain this.
I quote wikipedia with regards to the broad definition of classical music:
'Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to music produced in, or rooted in the traditions of Western ecclesiastical and concert music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 9th century to present times. The central norms of this tradition became codified between 1550 and 1900, which is known as the common practice period.'
So everyone's examples (maybe not Malice Mizer
) have been fine.
However, i think he means classical in the broader sense.
And this broader sense of classical can be defined by a more rigid and structured harmony; a more developed sense of 4-part harmony, predominantly performed on acoustic instruments.
Most examples posted contain this.
I quote wikipedia with regards to the broad definition of classical music:
'Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to music produced in, or rooted in the traditions of Western ecclesiastical and concert music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 9th century to present times. The central norms of this tradition became codified between 1550 and 1900, which is known as the common practice period.'
So everyone's examples (maybe not Malice Mizer
) have been fine.
Phil
New member
Hi there,
Thanks all for the replies!
I took all your suggestions in and did a lot of wikipedia-ing. I learnt a lot, so thank you all!
I recently purchased this album featuring the Czech Chamber Philharmonic called Classical Moments. It's a 2CD package, chock full of the well-known, classical in-a-broader-sense pieces.
I'm really enjoying it, there're pieces from composers such as Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, Schubert, Mascagni, Flowow, Verdi, Massenet, etc.
Furthermore, it's very well-recorded and mastered. I'm quite anal about the SQ, so yeah.
They took the effort to find excellent locations for the recordings, such as the Concert Catheral of Neubrandenburg and the Church of Saints Simon and Jude, where Mozart and Haydn used it for chamber performances. They also use the 'one-point' method of recording, which simply translates to them specially recording at only one particular point so as to properly capture the live performance in all it's 3-dimentionality and also the natural acoustics of the venue. You can really hear the difference, the harmony of the components and the spatial impression. Especially if you've a good pair of headphones and amp with quality soundstage.
Cheers all!
Thanks all for the replies!
I took all your suggestions in and did a lot of wikipedia-ing. I learnt a lot, so thank you all!
I recently purchased this album featuring the Czech Chamber Philharmonic called Classical Moments. It's a 2CD package, chock full of the well-known, classical in-a-broader-sense pieces.
I'm really enjoying it, there're pieces from composers such as Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, Schubert, Mascagni, Flowow, Verdi, Massenet, etc.
Furthermore, it's very well-recorded and mastered. I'm quite anal about the SQ, so yeah.
They took the effort to find excellent locations for the recordings, such as the Concert Catheral of Neubrandenburg and the Church of Saints Simon and Jude, where Mozart and Haydn used it for chamber performances. They also use the 'one-point' method of recording, which simply translates to them specially recording at only one particular point so as to properly capture the live performance in all it's 3-dimentionality and also the natural acoustics of the venue. You can really hear the difference, the harmony of the components and the spatial impression. Especially if you've a good pair of headphones and amp with quality soundstage.
Cheers all!
Last edited:
DoubleBlade
New member
I'm glad I started off with classical piano. It gave me the musical foundation to venture into other forms of music. Ironically it was through classical music that I was first introduced to metal. Now I'm a total symphonic metal addict!
Cheez
Moderator
Yes, getting one of those well-known pieces CDs is a very good initiation into classical music.
Interesting you brought up the spatial recording. That's something you don't find in other types of music when everything is fed into a mixer and than panned using the panpot. Depending on how the recording of an orchestra is done, you get a lot of different experiences. Orchestras are not only recorded stereo (left/right), but you get the distance as well (some instruments are behind while others are in front). Instruments sound are also directed in different directions (eg french horns bells are facing sideways and slight behind, trumpets and trombones bells are facing forwards etc). Each section of the orchestra interacts with another causing different harmonics you don't find in a rock band. I'm no recording engineer - they can probably tell you more.
And the best experience is really to attend a concert in the concert hall.
I see you have Verdi in your CD. Verdi's operas are one of my favorites. For the uninitiated, an opera may be a little heavy. My suggestion will be getting overtures instead of full operas (ie the piece they play before the start of the opera - so usually no singing and it showcases some of the tunes they may use in the actual opera). I used to have a tape (during the days when CDs were not common) on the collection of Verdi's Overtures. Simply beautiful!
Also, it will help if you find some background on the music you are listening to. Some will tell a story; others will have some background to why it was written. Finding out all these will add to your entire classical experience.
Enjoy!
Interesting you brought up the spatial recording. That's something you don't find in other types of music when everything is fed into a mixer and than panned using the panpot. Depending on how the recording of an orchestra is done, you get a lot of different experiences. Orchestras are not only recorded stereo (left/right), but you get the distance as well (some instruments are behind while others are in front). Instruments sound are also directed in different directions (eg french horns bells are facing sideways and slight behind, trumpets and trombones bells are facing forwards etc). Each section of the orchestra interacts with another causing different harmonics you don't find in a rock band. I'm no recording engineer - they can probably tell you more.
And the best experience is really to attend a concert in the concert hall.
I see you have Verdi in your CD. Verdi's operas are one of my favorites. For the uninitiated, an opera may be a little heavy. My suggestion will be getting overtures instead of full operas (ie the piece they play before the start of the opera - so usually no singing and it showcases some of the tunes they may use in the actual opera). I used to have a tape (during the days when CDs were not common) on the collection of Verdi's Overtures. Simply beautiful!
Also, it will help if you find some background on the music you are listening to. Some will tell a story; others will have some background to why it was written. Finding out all these will add to your entire classical experience.
Enjoy!
Phil
New member
I've been listening to the blues, rock, and all sorts of metal, from nu-metal to death metal. It's a real kick, but sometimes it gets a bit tiresome, hence my recent foray into classical music. To use the term generically.
And Cheez! My sentiments alike with regards to the interaction of the different instruments and their spatial characteristics. It's really amazing to hear such stuff and feel as though you're really there. Of course, nothing beats attending a live performance, but that's beside the point.
On the aforementioned CD that I bought, the natural sound of the oboe is especially notable. You can also hear how to winds are being mixed more with the echo of the church.
I'm no sound enginner too. But I enjoy quality music, and I appreciate good sound quality and good audio gear. It's really exciting.
I'm a geek.
And Cheez! My sentiments alike with regards to the interaction of the different instruments and their spatial characteristics. It's really amazing to hear such stuff and feel as though you're really there. Of course, nothing beats attending a live performance, but that's beside the point.
On the aforementioned CD that I bought, the natural sound of the oboe is especially notable. You can also hear how to winds are being mixed more with the echo of the church.
I'm no sound enginner too. But I enjoy quality music, and I appreciate good sound quality and good audio gear. It's really exciting.
I'm a geek.
Music has and will always be about emotions. Classical music can be beautiful just like other genres - jazz (and its many incarnations), rock, metal, bluegrass, rockabilly etc etc. Honestly, the only ones that don't touch me are disco, country and rap. But the latter group do touch folks for a lot of reasons - persons to dance to or an expression of socieltal issues. So be it.
In terms of technique, feel and arrangement there is a high degree in almost all forms of music to the extent where no one genre can really be said or proven to be better than any other.
Lots of music out the. Enjoy as many as you can. Touch as many as you can and let them touch you too. Cos' that's what music is all about - feeling something.
I too am going thru a few of the links. I wished I can go through all of them but unlike 18-19th century times, lots more to get done these days. :-D
Cheers
RoRK
In terms of technique, feel and arrangement there is a high degree in almost all forms of music to the extent where no one genre can really be said or proven to be better than any other.
Lots of music out the. Enjoy as many as you can. Touch as many as you can and let them touch you too. Cos' that's what music is all about - feeling something.
I too am going thru a few of the links. I wished I can go through all of them but unlike 18-19th century times, lots more to get done these days. :-D
Cheers
RoRK
pf
New member
I'm not really into classical music. But I have 1 classical CD with Mozart, Bach, etc and tapes of Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Bach etc. I dunno where I put those tapes already. The CD is my sleeping music.
But I like orchastra music that paints a picture. Like the The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, etc. And those movie soundtracks like Titanic. Basically love the oomph! when I listen to orchastra music and sort of picture what is the scene in my mind.
I realised this when I was in the secondary school band. There was a contemporary piece we had to play called "Oregon". The first bit was the trombone blasting/thrilling like the horn of the olden steam train. That really painted a fabulous picture for me. I imagined that there are people getting excited about travelling on the steam train. When they reach a bit city, there's a new beginning, etc. Many times I prefer reading, picturing scenes in my mind instead of watching the screen. Listening to an orchastra also allows imagination. Its like listening to a story being told without visuals. Gives the mind a lot of room for imagination.
But I like orchastra music that paints a picture. Like the The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, etc. And those movie soundtracks like Titanic. Basically love the oomph! when I listen to orchastra music and sort of picture what is the scene in my mind.
I realised this when I was in the secondary school band. There was a contemporary piece we had to play called "Oregon". The first bit was the trombone blasting/thrilling like the horn of the olden steam train. That really painted a fabulous picture for me. I imagined that there are people getting excited about travelling on the steam train. When they reach a bit city, there's a new beginning, etc. Many times I prefer reading, picturing scenes in my mind instead of watching the screen. Listening to an orchastra also allows imagination. Its like listening to a story being told without visuals. Gives the mind a lot of room for imagination.
me too~!, any other symphonic metal bands to recommend? besides nightwish? haa
EugeneSmasher
New member
Kamelot, Therion, Rusty Cooley (solo project). 
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