Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with classical

Music identification!

ashaw — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:40:35 -0800

Can anyone identify this piece of classical music which is featured in this video clip, it appears at the beginning and at 4:54. I've used a few pieces of music identifying services (Shazam etc), tried to find music credits for the series all to no avail. Hive help!

Did Dvorak and Saint-Saens know each other?

nnevvinn — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:55:11 -0800

Did Dvorak and Saint-Saens know each other? They were alive for many of the same years, but I'd love to know about personal contact. I am writing program notes for a symphony concert and think people would be interested.

I've Seen Fire And I've Seen Rain

nomisxid — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:02:32 -0800

Name that DVD: A requiem performance, a burnt-out building, and footage of the fire that gutted the building. I'm pretty sure I rented it from netflix at some point years ago. I THINK it was a production of mozart's requiem, but it might have been some other classical, mostly choral, work. The performance took place in the remains of a burnt-out building, I think an eastern european national library. There was some amazing footage of the fire that destroyed the building, taken inside while the books are all burning around the cameraman.

Rockin' in the Eastern Hemisphere, or would be if I wasn't in the US

curagea — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:35:47 -0800

Calling all Germanic (and Slavic) rockers, ravers and, uh, *insert classical term that starts with "r"*! Help me expand my music collection with European melodies! A similar question was asked before, but I'd like to narrow the scope down a bit.

I'm a big-time metal/hard rock/electronica/classical/ambient fan. I like non-American music more than American, and have heard that Europe has a big music scene for those genres. Sure, I could spend countless hours listening to samples from each of them, but I'm VERY picky about the music I listen to. Main reason? Getting inspirations for making my own music.

So, fellow MeFites, help me discover more European music that adhere to one or more of the following criteria. I'll be listing American and non-American examples that I feel exemplifies the qualities I want so you can have a few starters. Oh, and I use the term "electronica" broadly, just to point out:

- Good/great sense of melody - This one is top priority. The more complex, the better, whether by vocal and/or instrument. And if screaming/growling is involved, it better be done not just for show (see below). Examples: Disturbed, Poisonblack, Paradise Lost, A Perfect Circle (Mer de Noms), Orgy, Schiller, Lunar, Hybrid, BT, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Liszt, Squaremeter

- Heavyweight/Workout/Emotional - Oh yeah. I love to bang my head and blow my eardrums out (not literally, of course). Or really rave and dance like a maniac. Or... shake my head in internal pain over the piano. Examples: Disturbed, Judas Priest (pre-Nostradamus), Testament, Oomph!, Rammstein (pre-Reise Reise), The Prodigy (pre-Fat of the Land), The Crystal Method's "Stir Fry - Breakin On The Street", Infected Mushroom, Rachmaninov, Lizst

- Quirkiness - I also don't mind something that "sounds" fun and manages to be unpredictable. Examples: Mars Volta, Spacehog, Van Halen, Infected Mushroom, Dead Can Dance, 70's Scorpions, System of a Down, Prokofiev

- Angst with authenticity - There's screaming and growling and wailing, then there's the good mature kind, done in the right places so they don't like they're just... there. Examples: Disturbed (yeah I know, I'm a fan), Oomph! (pre-Ego), 30 Seconds to Mars (debut album), Breaking Benjamin, Trapt, Paradise Lost, Alice in Chains, Sevendust, Zeromancer

- Good drumwork - I'm not a drummer, but since getting Rock Band, I've been paying more attention to drums because they're so underestimated. Speed is not an issue; complexity is. Examples: Disturbed post-Believe (alright, I'll stop), Mars Volta, Testament, Queens of the Stone Age, Kagerou (NO Dragonforce. After listening to the stupid lyrics and the mind-numbing drums and guitars, that kind of music now just exhausts my brain).

- Mysterious/Twisted - Crawl-under-your-skin or whoa... gnarly... Examples: Panacea/Squaremeter, SunnO))), Infected Mushroom, late 80's/early 90's Delerium, the soundtrack from Quake, some Prokofiev

- Germanic lyrics, Slavic lyrics, or none - This includes German, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, English, Czech, Russian. Please no French; I heard French rock once and it made me cringe. Chinese rock made me laugh out loud, not in a good way. I don't really care whether the lyrics make sense or not.

Whew! I know that's a lot to cover, but these criteria were listed in order of descending importance to me, so don't worry if your searches don't match all of them. Metal, electronica, classical, ambient - heck, even New Age (think Enya) - , whether from the mainstream or indie, gimme gimme gimme! I really love to see what new great music is out there. Who do you recommend/what are your favorites?

Note: Middle Eastern-style music is acceptable too, comme Squaremeter's "Aswad".

Plucking strings?

Korou — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:05:13 -0800

What songs feature the pizzicato technique? I've always liked pizzicato music (as in Benjamin Britten's Simple Symphony, Op. 4: II and Andrew Bird's Skin is, My). What classical and non-classical songs feature the pizzicato technique?

Start in the Red Chamber?

BadMiker — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:17:41 -0800

I want to take the opportunity of an upcoming holiday to take on some challenging reading, I'd really like to try some classical oriental literature but I dont really know where to start. It has to be portable (single paperback volume) suitably annotated and, importantly, readable! I've been recommended The Dream of the Red Chamber but I dont which edition to get or if this is a good choice. Any suggestions would be welcome!

Classical Underground

mockdeep — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:17:14 -0800

How is it to be a subway performer? I play classical guitar and have at times considered taking it down into the Chicago underground. I'm not struggling by any means, but in idle fancy at times I wonder what it might be like to go practice in the subway. Are there specific stations where performers are allowed? Is there some sort of schedule that performers go by? Would it be bad form for me to take my art down there if I'm not having trouble making ends meet? Can anybody here relate some of their personal experience playing at train stations?

Pachabel's Canon

twine42 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:55:22 -0800

Tracks based around Pachabel's Canon... does an even vaguely complete list exist? The chord structure is everywhere, I know this. So why are all the lists out there so hopelessly vague? I mean, half a dozen tracks in the 1990s? Really?

So, has anyone found a list that's halfway complete? Failing that... should we start one...?

Classical classics

gnutron — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:27:14 -0800

School me on the classics of classical music. What are the top ten recordings that someone who knows nothing about classical music should own? I am a musician and a music lover. I enjoy a diverse variety of music, but I know very little about classical. I own one 'Baroque Masterpieces' compilation that has works by Bach, Vivaldi and Handel. I like it, especially the guitar pieces by Bach.

I'd like to explore more classical music, but I have no ability to discern what's good and bad, what I'd like, and what the "classics" of the genre are. I know this question probably has a 100 different answers. I guess I'm hoping to a get a clue on what are the seminal "Kind of Blue," "Giant Steps," "Time Out" and "Head Hunters"-type recordings of the classical realm. I am open to music from any time period.

Looking for a classical guitar in Bangkok

ageispolis — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:19:34 -0800

Where can I buy a classical guitar in Bangkok? My friend is heading home and he's taking his 6-string with him leaving me fingerpicking the empty air. I'm heading back to Bangkok in a couple days and would like to pick one up myself. The guitars sold near Khao San Rd to the tourists are unplayable. My price range is 3000-7000 baht depending on tone and quality. Ideally, it would be 3/4 size for mobility sake so if anyone knows the address to any acoustic guitar stores with a sizeable inventory it'd be much appreciated. Thank ye.

I'm thinking of a song...

edjusted — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:59:49 -0800

Hopefully this won't be too obscure... There was a pretty popular Japanese rock band that had a song which was basically a rocked out heavy metal version of Dies Irae from Verdi's requiem. I think the CD is from the early 90's or so. What's the name of the band? (and no, it's not from the Battle Royale soundtrack. That was a purely orchestral version)

Display composer information on the iPod?

KirkJobSluder — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:57:12 -0800

How can I get my iPod to display the composer tag? About half of the music on my iPod consists of classical music, and because I sometimes pick up artist compilations and some weird stuff that I didn't perform back in High School, sometimes I don't know my Bach from my Haydn, much less the names associated with the Kronos album I picked up last week. So I click on my iPod, and find that I can get just about all the information about a song except for the composer.

Is there a way to hack the iPod to show composer information? And if that fails, I notice that I can see podcast notes as a text document by clicking the select button a few times is there a way that I can add that information (perhaps using an applescript?). Would that be the comments or lyrics field?

Copland Third Symphony recordings?

grobstein — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:49:41 -0800

Help me find a good recording of Copland's Third Symphony. I just heard a really solid performance of Copland's Third Symphony, and I realized I have a friend who's probably never heard it, and would probably love it. I'd like to get it for him as a gift. But I don't know how to find a really good recording.

I searched Amazon, but I couldn't find a recording that looked good enough to buy unheard. Can you help me find a recording that's known to be good, or one by a big name orchestra / conductor? Alternatively, can you tell me where else to look?

Which symphonic movements are clear examples of sonata-allegro form?

agropyron — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:14:36 -0800

Which symphonic movements are clear examples of sonata-allegro form? (Exposition - Development - Recapitulation.) I'm looking for movements with really catchy, memorable themes, interesting development sections, and clear differences in the recapitulation. I'm giving a series of presentations on classical music, and I'm about to tackle sonata-allegro form with a roomful of classical newbies. I'm looking for symphonic movements, preferably in the Classical Era (ie, the time of Haydn and Mozart), that clearly demonstrate the workings of the form. I've been using the fourth movement from Mozart's Symphony No. 40, and it seems almost perfect for this. I'm also using the first movement of Mozart's Sonata Facile (K 545). I would like more such examples.

Ideally we'll have clear, memorable themes that aren't too long. We'll have an interesting development section that makes clear use of the themes. Then the recapitulation will have some clear and interesting differences to the themes.

Thanks!

Help me find baroque-rock music!

thedaniel — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:04:51 -0800

I enjoy the old Japanese goth band Malice Mizer, mostly the stuff from later in their career. I can take or leave their fancy outfits, but I like the musical style - this is a prime example: ( youtube video ) What other bands play music that is similarly 'cathedral rock'?

What makes a good classical recording?

deeper red — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:42:20 -0800

What makes a good classical musical recording? I know all about the importance of DDD but it seems to me that some classical recordings I buy just lack realism. If I close my eyes with some records I can believe I'm in the audience at a performance. With others, I'm clearly listening to a recording. With some recording the horn or flute sounds fresh and real, while with others it sounds like it's coming from a synthesizer.

So what makes a good classical recording? Aside from using the Penguin or Gramaphone Guide to look up what's considered good (which I don't always agree with), is there any way of telling before purchasing.

Woodwind ensemble masterpieces?

cowbellemoo — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 07:15:24 -0800

Classical Music lovers, what great chamber music pieces feature predominantly woodwinds (esp. flutes)? (I'm also interested in great solo parts in larger orchestras) I would prefer slower music, both because I'm still learning what different instruments are doing and because I might be interested in learning to play them myself (on the flute). I did purchase a beginner repertoire book, but Amazon seems unusually sluggish in shipping lately, and I'm impatient to find out what's out there.

I always liked Peter and the Wolf, but otherwise I'm completely ignorant of woodwinds-heavy music and classical music in general. Help would be lovely.

Buy & Learn Guitar

BeaverTerror — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:15:51 -0800

I've decided to start taking guitar lessons. Where should I buy my guitar? Know any good instructors? I'm in San Francisco. I don't know much about guitars, and I'm looking for a guitar store in San Francisco with a knowledgeable staff that actually cares, instead of just trying to make sales.

I'm buying a classical guitar.

I'm also looking for a good, non-expensive guitar instructor with experience in the classical and folk genres. I work normal hours so I'm looking for evening and weekend classes.

Please give me your recommendations.

I live at Civic Center, and I get around on a bike, so location is important.

What is the perfect 25-track mix-cd of mostly-modern classical music?

beelerspace — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 08:06:57 -0800

If you were to give someone a 25-track crash course on classical music (a "mix-cd/playlist"), what compositions would you include? Such an anthology should of course have some historical context from, say Baroque and Romantic periods, but it'd be more helpful for me if it leaned towards modern composition and gave some idea of where classical music is progressing. Assume the listener (me?) has already taken an entry level college musical education class and therefore has heard the "classics" from classical music.

Buying classical music CDs in the UK

deeper red — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:09:45 -0800

Best place to buy classical music CDs online, preferably both new and second-hand titles? I'm in the UK. Amazon.co.uk are OK but not entirely comprehensive, and tend to sell at RRP, rather than discount.

I really want sleeve notes so am not keen on buying MP3s/iTunes.

Music in Sydney NYE Fireworks

oxford blue — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:54:11 -0800

Help me identify a piece of choral music from Sydney's 2007 NYE fireworks. Can anyone tell me what this piece of music is (fast forward to around 3:21)?

I've searched around, and short of ringing up Sydney city council I can't remember what it's called, where it's from, or who composed it. Which is frustrating!

Mega-bonus points if you can identify other peices of music from the firework's soundtrack. However as usual only the classical stuff really interests me.

(For auld lang syne, my dear!)

Looking for name of a dirge I played in high school.

ZaneJ. — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:43:31 -0800

I played a piece in orchestra in high school that I think was named Aces Däd, but I can't seem to find that anywhere. In high school I played a dirge called, I think, Aces Däd. It's a Germanic named dirge about a person named Aces, but I can't seem to find any reference to it anywhere. I may have the diphthong in the wrong place, or the Däd spelled incorrectly. The 'dad' is pronounced 'daad', with the long 'a' sound.

Fast, Dramatic, Sinister music?

Phyltre — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:22:17 -0800

In search of: dramatic, sinister, or fast music. Disastrous, villainous, swift and dexter melodies best set to chaos, tragedy, or discovery. You know, the sort of music that sounds evil played on a church organ. Some of you may remember from a previous question that I have inexplicable reactions to certain music, and I'm trying to explore that by playlisting my music into the emotions they cause me to have. Once upon a time there was a program/community called Moodlogic that might have helped, but it's long since defunct. So, to better communicate what I mean by the three categories here:

--
Fast (beat or, preferably, note progression): Fast notes. Simple.

Sinister : Probably equal parts sinister and somber/sad, or--even better--songs that vacillate between bright moments and very ominous ones. Think Chopin's Raindrop Prelude. (Listen via Youtube here)

Dramatic : Harder to put into words, so I found as an example a remixed version of such a song that's legally available for download/listening. (Although I don't much care for the instrumentation here; it sounds much better on a church organ): Dancing Mad
--

I'd prefer suggestions sans lyrics, but of course rules are made to be broken. Extra points to more "classical" forms of music, a la piano or--pleasepleaseplease--church organ. Together we can build a writhing tempest of a playlist!

The ULTIMATE chill music?

cdmwebs — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:00:08 -0800

MorbidityFilter: What soothing yet depressing tune is this funeral home's website using? I know I've heard it before, but I have no idea of it's composer.

Can you recommend some piano music?

Quidam — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:58:32 -0800

Recently I've realized that I enjoy listening to piano music, but I'm not really familiar with it. Can you recommend CDs/compilations/pieces that I might like? My school has a lounge with a piano in it where students go and play whenever they feel like it, and I love to sit in there and listen and relax if I have a few minutes between classes. It's so soothing. I'd like to replicate it at home.

I don't have much of a knowledge of classical or otherwise instrumental music. I think I'm talking mostly about slower stuff - ballads or what have you, something I can listen to when I want to unwind.

Sorry if this is a bit vague/unclear. Any suggestions?