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Violins, Fine Wine, and Your Classical Music Recommendations — Vince
My wife and I were trying to unwind after a work week full of fighting murders and child molesters (we are both prosecutors). We opened a lovely bottle of pinot from the Willamette Valley and retreated to our patio to enjoy an amazing Arizona evening. Despite the gentle breeze, we wanted music to accompany our time. We turned on classical iTunes Radio and just sat.
I’ve always enjoyed the violin, but when the second movement of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Winter (Max Richter version) played, my appreciation soared. There is nothing more memorable than when music perfectly captures feeling. It was then that I realized that classical music—really good classical music — is a lot like being introduced to fine wines. It’s an intimidating education, full of lingo and infinite choice, but still very rewarding. I don’t know why I love the pieces I do, but I do. When Jay Nordlinger and Mona Charen discuss music I always listen closely. I hope they do another music episode of their podcast soon.
In the interim, I’ll reach out to you all. Any classical music selections to recommend, particularly those featuring the violin? The more haunting, lonely and sorrowful the violin the better.
Published in General
LOL, RushBabe! Truly, I’ll get right on it. Echoing Vince, the depth of knowledge here is astounding.
Susan, I meant going to some Seattle Chamber Music Festival concerts in the summer of 2014. They are presented at Benaroya Hall each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in July. Ray and I usually try to go to at least four or five concerts, depending on what pieces they are playing, and which artists we really want to see. This year’s schedule should be up now on their web site, seattlechambermusic.org.
Understood! Thanks for the link to the website. I’ll certainly look into this!
Requiems are a personal favorite of mine. I like Mozart’s Requiem the best.
I’m tossing my hat in with the Bach Concerto lovers. Bach remains one of my favorite composers of the Baroque period.
Side note: a friend of mine not too long ago noted, “That makes sense, as Bach is considered the most mathematically precise composers.” I’ve not investigated the truth of his statement, but if it is true that would explain a lot into my appreciation. Bach is one of those composers where when I listen to the same piece again, I can still occasionally be surprised.
Wieniawski Violin Concerto Number 2
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto In D
Debussy Violin Sonata in G Minor
Mozart Violin Concerto Number 1 In B Flat
Mozart Violin Concerto Number 2 In D
I am one of those people who love to listen to classical music, but I know nothing about it. I am like a child who loves candy, but I have no idea which is which. This winter we got to see John Williams conduct the Louisville Symphony Orchestra. To some he is simply a film scorer, and the only music of his I had ever really listened to was my soundtrack from Star Wars, purchased on vinyl in 1977. Of course only parts of scores were played that night. One of those scores was from Schindler’s List. Most of Mr. Williams’ scores are known for his big brasses and pulse quickening adventure themes. But the violin solo from the Schindler’s list score brought tears to my eyes.
If you like requiems, I think the best is Brahms Ein Deutsche Requiem. Talk about bringing tears to your eyes, this one does. I found my eyes tearing up while playing it.
How about a couple of French Impressionists?
Camille Saint-Saëns Le Carnaval Des Animaux: Aquarium
Claude Debussy “Syrinx” Solo for Flute by Claude Debussy
Now that this thread has been broadened to all Classical music recommendations, may I recommend:
Real Renaissance and early Baroque polyphony (not the froofy, repetitive madrigals, but the real deal) for unaccompanied voices, as written by Palestrina, Victoria, de Lassus, Gesualdo, Purcell (this rendition of “Hear my prayer” is exceptionally intense), Byrd, Tallis, etc. I realize instrumental music may be more your thing, but you can learn a lot from music where all parts are written to be sung, and the music is exceptionally beautiful.
Anything written by Bach in a minor key, especially some of his super-spooky organ works. The YouTube videos that display this style of animation of the notes are also kind of fun to watch, and help you hear each line better if you tend to get lost.
Great suggestions here already; I’ll just throw out 2 more:
Also, even though it’s a not-well-loved movie, I love the violin work in the soundtrack for The Village.
-E
One of the first vinyls I ever listened to. Love Scheherazade!
Poor Bruch: all anyone ever thinks about is his violin concerto. On the other hand, lucky Bruch: he wrote a rather nifty violin concerto. (He wrote three, but everyone plays the first.)
Well, I am a classical violinist… and also someone who enjoys those Oregon wines you’re talking about… but I just so happen to be a defense attorney.
I’m not sure we can work together on this issue. :)
It just so happens to be sitting on my record player at this very moment. Wonderful piece. Also, anything by Vivaldi (yes, how typical of me), and anything performed by Itzak Perlman or Isaac Stern. I have another record with both playing what my sister and I have always referred to as “the Bach double.” I also greatly enjoy Massenet’s Thais Meditation.
We haven’t even talked wines. One of the advantages of living in the beautiful state of Oregon in the area I do is that it’s a short drive to any of several Willamette vineyards where one can taste wine and enjoy late summer weather. Any other time of the year one can taste wine and enjoy the rain if one is so inclined.
The Erath Pinot Noir has been a standby wine for me, recently. Inexpensive and good. I’m a beer guy, personally, but mostly because beer comes in 12 oz and my wife doesn’t drink wine.
Brahms’ string quintets and sextets (two of each) are wonderful. I like the recordings by the Amadeus Quartet.
For haunting strings in a small chamber music setting, I also suggest Brahms’ Piano Trio No.1, unless you mind the piano. I heartily second the recommendations of the Elgar violin concerto and the Vaughan Williams pieces mentioned (The Lark Ascending and the Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis). And since no one has put in a plug for the Beethoven late quartets yet – there’s a reason why they’ve been written about so much. Op. 131 is my favorite.
Just about anything by Debussy or Delius.
Well, if you get the spooky organ music, I’ll throw in Albinoni’s Adagio…
As lovely and expressive piece of music as was ever made, and I still curse Oliver Stone for making me think of helicopter blades when I hear it.
If we’re extending beyond violins (everything I know has been covered, I think), Mendelssohn’s “Hear My Prayer” (“O for the wings of a dove”) is unforgettable.
Actually, there are few parts of his Elijah that fit the “haunting, lonely, and sorrowful” description — such as “It is enough”, when a despairing Elijah asks to die.
But you can’t stop there — you have to finish the story, and the oratorio.
Am I the first on the thread to recommend Nathan Milstein?…
If yes, wow…
Make the investment in the semi-comprehensive box set “The Art of Nathan Milstein.”
Among others, it includes his peerless, immortal performances of the Beethoven and Brahms concerti.
I’m also wondering if I’m first on the thread to recommend various recordings by the Beaux Arts Trio.
Whatever the case, make the investment in their recordings of the Haydn trios and the Beethoven trios — you will be immensely glad you have.
#44 James Lileks (and all)
Funny re Bruch.
I would heartily recommend the Gil Shaham/Giuseppe Sinopoli recording of that (the one also featuring the Mendelssohn).
Corelli and Boccherini are wonderful also.
If you’re ever in a mood for a drive before settling in, Beethoven’s Second Symphony is a personal favorite. Select a lightly-patrolled stretch.
I’m reading and thoroughly enjoying The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp (a Ricochet recommendation). The Trapp Family Singers sang a lot of Palestrina, with whom I am not familiar, so it was a treat to click on your link and have a listen.
I never thought of Bach’s little Fugue as spooky (loved and was totally mesmerized by the animation of the notes) but that ol’ Toccata and Fugue in D Minor is sure to raise some excellent goosebumps.
I know someone who loves Bach — and who I don’t think has anything against organ music — but dislikes the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Enough to skip the track on the CD — every time.
Can’t go wrong with Bach Harpsichord…