The guys at work think classical music is all slow and boring

[lukasahero]

I've been putting together a set list to blow their minds but want to know: what classical music gets your blood pumping?

[freshwest]

1. Bolero?

[lukasahero]

2. It wasn't on the list so - cool

thanks!

FTR, I've got most of the standards - Flight of the Bumblebee was the first thing that came to me and my husband's minds but since then I've added Chopin Scherzos, Orff's Carmina Burana, Brahm's Hungarian Dances...

I know there's more that's eluding me and I thought I'd open it up to the great DU to add their thoughts. :)

[freshwest]

3. I'm trying. I got the music in my head but not the names anymore.

[lukasahero]

21. If you look down the thread,

you'll see that's the same problem I'm having! :)

[freshwest]

38. We have some excellent music sleuths though here, don't we? Kudos to all.

[lukasahero]

40. We do indeed

That's why I came here for suggestions. :)

[Manifestor_of_Light]

67. Bolero is a piece of crap. You can do much better by Ravel.

[Grantuspeace]

80. Ravel Piano Concerto in G

One movement is quite spirited. Also available on Youtube.

[Grantuspeace]

89. Piano Concerto link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq1ueeJucA8

[freshwest]

88. Why, thank you very much!

[Aristus]

4. Here's a "not slow or boring" list:

Piano Concerto #20 in D minor by Mozart.
Night On Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky.
Symphony Fantastique by Berlioz.
Ride Of The Valkyries by Wagner.
The Leningrad Symphony by Shostakovich.
Symphony # 1 by Wagner (his only symphony).
Piano Concerto # 1 by Tchaikowsky.


Have them try those out.

[lukasahero]

9. Excellent - had few on the list but

a few not. (I had Mussorgsky but believe it or not couldn't remember Night on Bald Mountain!) Got Wagner, Berlioz and Mozart. Thanks for Shostakovich and Tchaikowsky!

[kentauros]

12. The mention of "Night on Bald Mountain" reminds me of Grieg,

In the Hall of the Mountain King - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrIYT-MrVaI

:D

[lukasahero]

16. Oh perfect!

Yes! Thanks!

[kentauros]

17. You're welcome!

And now I'm listening to Kurt Weill's "Mack the Knife" as sung by Lotte Lenya :D

[Mendocino]

25. Griegs Piano Concerto

My favorite piece of classical.

[lukasahero]

30. Oh yeah

that's another good one that I'd forgotten about. Thanks!

[Angry Dragon]

5. Dvorak's New World ....... third movement

[lukasahero]

11. I knew I was missing something!

Thank you!

[Angry Dragon]

18. ............

:hi:

[Grantuspeace]

71. Love Dvorak!

American Quartet, Cello concerto, and the Slovanic Dances.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

145. Mr 'pede and I would listen

to classical music in the car on the way back to Tampa from his dad's place in Delray (uh...unless there was a NASCAR race on)
A couple of times they played Dvorak's New World and the beginning sounded like the start of the "Jaws" music

[flying rabbit]

6. Rite of spring by Stravinsky

any piece that shocked audiences of the day is worth a whirl.

[lukasahero]

13. Got it but yeah - that's kind of what I'm looking for

Thinking this might be over their heads though... ;)

[SecularMotion]

106. Or Petrouchka

That's pretty lively.

[Grantuspeace]

81. Flight of the Bumble Bee

Should be very familiar.

[Odin2005]

7. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.

[lukasahero]

15. Definitely what I'm looking for

but I've already got my whole Glenn Gould catalog on the list - so Bach, kind of covered. :)

:hi: Great suggestion, though!

[Art_from_Ark]

96. Do you have Bach's Concerto for Harpsichord in d Minor on that list?

The most stunning performance I have heard was by the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, with Vasso Dvyetsy on the piano (not actually an instrument that was used in Bach's day). It is quite powerful.

Speaking of Glenn Gould, do you have Sonata for Harpsichord and Viola da Gumba in g minor on your list? Although Glenn Gould played a lot of what was originally harpsichord music, he always preferred a piano. The performance that is particularly impressive to me features Gould on the piano, and Leonard Rose on the cello.

For something a little more modern, there is Khachaturian's Sabre Dance.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. Stravinsky, "Rite of Spring"

Bartok, "The Miraculous Mandarin"
Hindemith, "Mathis der Mahler"
Saint-Saens, Organ Symphony
Rimsky-Korsakoff, "Scheherezade"
Moussorgsky, "A Night on Bare Mountain"

These are all very well-known old warhorses of the orchestral repertoire, but they are pretty loud, exciting pieces that might appeal to someone who thinks he doesn't like classical music.

[lukasahero]

22. Geez I feel like a dolt

I know the Rimsky-Korsakoff and Moussorgsky but I've never heard of the others (and I LOVE Saint-Saens!)

Going to go check them out now. Thanks a bunch!

[kentauros]

33. Some of the pieces represented on this thread

also show up in Disney's "Fantasia" from 1940. I never saw Fantasia 2000, so you might look at that one, too. And, the similar and just as brilliant animated movie, Allegro non Troppo :D

[eppur_se_muova]

146. Saint-Saens no. 3 is a big fave of hi-fi buffs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._3_(Saint-Sa%C3%ABns)

You'll need a good subwoofer for the 32' pedal notes. Traditionally, the opening of the maestoso is played loud enough to rattle the window fames. Some cleanup, repainting, etc. may be necessary afterwards.

[kentauros]

10. I've always loved Beethoven.

Symphonies 5, 6 and 9 (and sometimes 7), but those are more about beauty than activity. The final movement of the 9th being the pinnacle of them all :D

But try Holst' "The Planets" and specifically "Mars".

J.S. Bach - "Toccata and Fugue"

Strauss - "The Blue Danube"

But, might I also suggest:

P.D.Q. Bach - 1712 Overture - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuELIjiyBpg
Portsmouth Sinfonie - Nutcracker Suite March http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEaWyOmcPlg
"What's Opera Doc?"

I doubt they'd understand the likes of Ligeti, though ;)

[lukasahero]

19. Beethoven was among the first that came to mind

Having played the Pathetique Sonata in college, I almost laughed out loud when they said classical music was "all slow and boring". Yeah - you try to play those triplets against 8th notes at breakneck speed and get back to me about how boring it is. ;)

Toccata and Fugue I have as also the ending of the 9th. Knew something in "The Planets" would work but wasn't familiar enough as to which - thanks!

But AWESOME suggestion of PDQ!

FTR - totally ouch on the Portsmouth Sinfonie! (eta - corrected spelling)

[kentauros]

26. The Portsmouth Sinfonia does pride itself on being

The World's Worst Orchestra!

:P


I remember reading about them when the Boston Pops came out with "101 Strings" that they were offended at no longer bing the worst orchestra! Of course, they had to do something about that! :rofl:

Classical Muddley was the result: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQMBsomNLVw }(

[lukasahero]

31. LOL

I did not know that.

:rofl:

[Auggie]

138. Piano Concerto No. 5, aka Emperor Concerto

[kentauros]

14. Sabre Dance - Aram Khachaturian

Used so much everywhere, in TV, movies, news and so on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqg3l3r_DRI

The Russians had a lot of active music. Makes me wonder how often they were inspired by folk music...

[lukasahero]

20. Another one I was thinking of but couldn't come up with the name

Thanks! Brill!

Oh - and just to be a jerk - I think Khachaturian was Armenian but I'm only going by the name - could be wrong but the spelling usually indicates Armenian. (My brother-in-law would be proud that I knew that. :)

[kentauros]

24. Not jerky at all!

:P

It's easy for me to confuse composers and their origins. Still, that area of the world did seem to produce plenty of upbeat compositions in the same vein as Sabre Dance :)

[Mendocino]

23. Fanfare For The Common Man-

Aaron Copland

[lukasahero]

29. Cool - I was looking at Appalachian Spring

but didn't find anything that really ripped. Will go look at Fanfare now - thanks!

[A Simple Game]

27. Much of Holst the Planets. n/t

[lukasahero]

35. It's on the list

thanks!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

28. Alban Berg's "Wozzeck" if you really want to freak them out.

A few more conventional pieces:

Janacek, "Sinfonietta"
De Falla, "El Amor Brujo"
Copland, "The Red Pony"
Prokofiev, "Alexander Nevsky"

[lukasahero]

34. I'm really looking for speed

but I'm also getting an education myself here so thanks. (I'm kind of into weird myself.)

Towards that end, the De Falla and Janacek will work. Thanks!

[Art_from_Ark]

97. Speed

Bach-- Brandenburg Concerto #3, 3rd Movement
Bach-- Sonata for Flute & Continuo #1, 4th Movement
Bach-- Orchestral Suite #2, final movement
Vivaldi-- Summer, 3rd Movement
Vivaldi-- Flute Concerto in a Minor, 3rd Movement

[kentauros]

32. While not strictly classical, there are some "meddleys" that are brilliant:

Bernie Green Plays More Than You Can Stand!

Try the "Virtuous Orchestra" for "Flight of the Bumblebee" on trombone! :rofl:

[lukasahero]

36. These are great!

Reminds me of The Beau Hunks kind of stuff.

[kentauros]

43. You might look through the archives on WFMU's blog there.

It's pretty extensive.

Other sites worth a look for the oddball and obscure are

The Internet Archive

U B U W E B and subsequently 365 Days Project (also on the WFMU blog, with more recent entries)

That's all probably more for your own amusement than trying to find classical gems to awaken the dulled minds of your coworkers ;)

[lukasahero]

46. I am so bookmarking this thread :)

Thanks for the info. I'm fading here tonight but will spend some time checking these out tomorrow.

I have to give this one guy credit - at least he's open to listening.

I figure the guy that said Beethoven and Mozart only wrote slow mellow stuff is not even worth my effort though. :rofl:

[lukasahero]

47. Darn - knew that was goungto dupe.

Sorry.

[Incitatus]

37. I like Beethoven 5th and Moonlight Sonata.

[lukasahero]

39. The 3rd movement of the moonlight should be on any list

Thanks - had forgotten. And the 5th symph never hurts. :)

[u4ic]

41. Colin Currie

He's a Scottish percussionist I've seen a couple of times as a guest performer with the symphony. Not much of him on youtube, here are a few examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUTGy3ZcUXU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDKvMcLmdTc&NR=1

A few audio clips on his website, too: http://www.colincurrie.com/

In his pieces, he'll run between many different percussion instruments. He's a dynamo onstage.

[lukasahero]

50. Cool

Never heard of him but I like it. Thanks!

[pokerfan]

42. Tchaikovsky's 1812 Festival Overture

It has cannons though one recording I once had used shotguns - not quite the same effect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1812_Overture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-vQKZFF-9s

[lukasahero]

51. Excellent

That's one of those that I knew existed but couldn't come up with - and exactly why I put this question out to DU. :)

Thanks!

[eppur_se_muova]

147. Well, if you're going to go in *that* direction, try Wellington's Victory ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington%27s_Victory

"The composition has had somewhat of a renaissance in recent years as it forms the centre-piece of the Battle Proms Concerts which takes place at a number of stately homes around the UK. This is the only concert series known to play the piece with the full complement of 193 live cannon."

[7wo7rees]

44. Grieg's "In the Hall of The Mountain King"

by Apocalyptica, FTW. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf2aIVKp1OY&feature=related
Grieg was, after all, the great-great-great-great-grandfather of metal. I dare you watch this to the 3:00 mark, and not bang your head. :headbang:

[7wo7rees]

49. Had to watch that one again. n/t

[lukasahero]

52. Something tells me the guy I'm making this list for

probably already knows this one. ;)

[freshwest]

84. Yeah! I love this live version, too: 'Now, ve will punish you with claasical music...'

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

[elleng]

45. Fun thread!

Here's a 'combo,' classical + jazz, related:

Brubeck:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc34Uj8wlmE&feature=related

Mozart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geER3iQDO5k

[lukasahero]

48. Darn - the Brubeck won't play on my mobile

(and I love Brubeck!) I also have Cuba Meets Classical Klazz Bros on my list so jazz/classical cross-over works for me. (You haven't lived until you've heard Flight of the Bumblebee played on an upright bass. :)

Rondo Alla Turca was one of the first I thought of - I played piano in college and all the Chopin fantasies, scherzos, polonaises, Mozart and Beethoven sonatas immediatelty came to mind.

This has been a fun thread though - lots of songs I know but never think of or can't come up with the names of listed here. Updating my own library from it. :)

[lukasahero]

53. Oh I have the Brubeck one

But thanks - hadn't even thought of it!

[LanternWaste]

54. The final movement from Tchaikovsky Symphony #4

The final movement from Tchaikovsky Symphony #4 is very up-tempo and aggressive once we get past the melancholy opening horn solo. It's one of those pieces that gets us waving our arms and conducting an imaginary orchestra if no one's around... :P

[lukasahero]

57. lol - that's *exactly* what I'm looking for

Thanks! :)

[eppur_se_muova]

148. Ummm ... no. 4 ?? I remember the fourth movement as a real barn-burner.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._4_(Tchaikovsky)

No melancholoy horn solo -- it goes straight from pizzicatto strings to sforzando orchestra.

[CBGLuthier]

55. Beethoven's 7th second movement. It is very much in vogue now

I saw two movies last year that bookended the film with it. Inception and one I can not remember.
Zardoz used an organ version.
The King's Speech laid it in under his speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uOxOgm5jQ4


Albioni Adagio in g minor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMbvcp480Y4

Orff Gassenhauer Not really classical of course since it was written last century but close enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ9_6W6bVoQ

[lukasahero]

58. All beautiful

But the Orff might be more of what I'm looking for (the kid said he wanted "lots of beats per minute" - I felt like quoting the line from Amadeus about "too many notes" ;) ) The Beethoven is one of my favorites, as is the Albioni, and the 7th does get hopping but I don't think I have that much time to pull this kid in - maybe if he likes some of the stuff I'm giving him, he'll be interested enough to ask for more and then... Well, then I'm in heaven! :)

Oh but 20th century stuff definitely counts - a good number of the pieces on my list are by 20th c composers. :)

Thanks!

[tjwmason]

56. Olivier Messiaen - Turangalila Symphony

Especially the fifth movement, 'joie du sang des etoiles' (joy of the blood of the stars); and the finale.

[lukasahero]

59. Oh - that'll work!

I'm learning a lot in this thread too - so glad I asked. Thanks!

[LeftinOH]

60. I used to think that, too.. until I discovered Sergei Prokofiev. Brilliant composer. n/t

[Grantuspeace]

82. Bravo

Love Lieutenant Kije!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

118. Prokofief was way ahead of his time.

the Classical Symphony - written in the style of Mozart but with 20th century harmonies.
Third Piano Concerto in C minor - a real barn burner
Lieutenant Kije Suite -- good stuff.

Apparently "Lieutenant Kije" was a soldier on paper made up by the army bureaucrats, so the whole thing is a joke.

The "Troika" movement is often played at Christmas. A Troika is a sleigh drawn by three horses. I've even heard it on The Simpsons.

I've played in the Houston Premiere of Prokofief's Seventh Symphony, his last one, written in 1953. It was so difficult that I had to tap my foot so I wouldn't get lost in the time changes.

He also wrote a lot of ballets along the same vein as Tchaikovsky - Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, etc.

[hifiguy]

61. Beethoven's Eighth

is all forward drive and has some of Ludwig's finest melodies.

A healthy share of the Khachaturian catalog is as aggressive as anything.

Ravel's "La Valse" has that killer ending. The early Stravinsky ballet masterworks will bore no one.

Tchasikovsky's 1812 Overture and Ludwig van's "Wellington's Victory" will wake up anyone, especially on versions recorded with real cannons.

[AngryAmish]

62. Night on Bald Mountain

[cemaphonic]

63. for something relatively contemporary (for classical music anyway)

John Adams "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" is a reliable crowd-pleaser, and as the name suggests, is both short and fast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xqXaHqCMrg&feature=related

[KamaAina]

64. Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries

also known as "Kill the wabbit! Kill the wabbit!" :-)

[kentauros]

65. And then there are the electronic versions of the classics:

Isao Tomita - Mars- The Original with full Intro

Wendy Carlos - 9. Sinfonie in D-Moll, 4. Satz, Op. 125 (Moog)

:hi:

[Taverner]

66. Beethoven's Ninth...you know the part...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQCQRLA05AA

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

68. You could go full-on weird with a little Phillip Glass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFBijDU8PpE

or Lisa Gerrard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xpkRj99FH0

Or this, by Alan Hovhaness. It's slow and contemplative, but incredibly gorgeous:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCLk2FD_iUc

[hifiguy]

111. Oh yes indeed!

I :loveya: Alan Hovhaness and have for thirty years. I probably have 25 Hovhaness recordings in my music library, everything from solo piano to massive symphonies and everything inbetween. Hands down the most underappreciated American master ever.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

117. I love the "Prayer of St. Gregory" - gives me goose bumps every time

I hear it. Hovhaness' stuff is awesome - first heard it in college, did some choral works then. He was quite prolific, which is a good thing.

[lukasahero]

113. The Hovhaness is lovely

Thanks!

[lukasahero]

69. So I should have emphasized the "slow" in slow and boring

The kid in question said the music had to have "high beats per minute" :eyes: for it to be interesting to him. Anyway, here's the list I gave him:

Children's Corner Suite: Dr. Gradus Ad Parnassum - Claude Debussy by Peter Frankl
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 "Moonlight": III Presto - Ludwig van Beethoven by Vladimir Ashkenazy
Guitarreo - Andres Segovia
Blue Rondo A La Turk - (Mozart - sort of) by Dave Brubeck
Concerto for Violin & Orchestra, Op. 64 "Allegro molto appassionato" (1st movement) - Felix Mendelssohn by Cho-Liang Lin
"Fortune Plango Vulnera" from "Carmina Burana" - Carl Orff
"Ride of the Valkyries" opening from Act III of Die Walkure - Richard Wagner
Piano Sonata No. 11 in A K331: III. Rondo alla turca - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by Daniel Barenboim
Fantasia Para un Gentilhombre for Guitar and Small Orchestra: III Danza del las Hachas - Joaquín Rodrigo by Andre Segovia
Polonaise for Piano No. 3 in A Major, Op. 40/1 "Miliarty" - Frederic Chopin by Vladimir Horowitz
Tambourin Chinois for violin & piano, Op. 3 - Fritz Kriesler by Cho-Liang Lin
Allegria - Gipsy Kings
Guillaume Tell Overture (Finale) - Gioachino Antonio Rossini
Hungarian Dance for Piano 4 Hands: No. 5 in F Sharp Minor - Johannes Brahms by Nicholas Angelich and Frank Braley
Piano Sonatina in C Major, Op. 13, No. 1: III. Presto - Dimitri Kabalevsky by Alexandre Dossin
The Flight of the Bumblebee - Nikolai Rimsky- Korsakov by The Klazz Brothers
Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 66 - Frederic Chopin by Van Cliburn
Two-Part Invention No. 13 in A minor, BWV 784 - JS Bach by Glenn Gould
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op 46: In the Hall of the Mountain King - Edvard Grieg by London Philharmonic Orchestra and David Parry
Night on Bald Mountain - Modest Mussorgsky by Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic
Gayane Ballet "Sabre Dance" - Aram Khachaturian by Franz Richter & Radio Orchestra Berlin
L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2: Farandole - Georges Bizet
Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95 "From the New World": III. Scherzo - Molto vivace - Antonin Dvorak by Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony Orchestra

For those you don't know, I hope you'll take the time to go dig them up. Thanks for all the suggestions - I have improved my own library considerably here today. :) And, if he shows any interest at all (which so far he hasn't), almost all the songs you all have listed here will be in the next round.

:hi: and all of :yourock:

[saras]

70. If you're trying to educate them, don't forget Rob Paravonian's "Pachelbel Rant"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM

They may not realize how much classical music they ALREADY listen to. :evilgrin:

unfortunately, all the classical music I like is slow and boring (Sibelius, Gorecki, Daetwyler, Satie...) - that's what I like about it - so I don't have much to offer.

[cemaphonic]

104. That's a really funny routine, but he cheats a bit.

A bunch of those songs use the classic 4-chord (I-V-vi-IV) progression that is really common in pop music, but isn't the Pachabel chord progression.

[Grantuspeace]

72. Prokovfiev

Montagues and Capulets from Romeo and Juliet. The Lieutenant Kitje Suite.

[Grantuspeace]

86. Classical Thunder link Montagues and Capulets

A very recognizable song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RFq7cOVDF0

[Grantuspeace]

73. Brahms Hungarian Dance # 5

:)

[Grantuspeace]

93. Brahms link

This used to be my ring tone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeheErg-z38&feature=fvwrel

[lukasahero]

98. See post #69

#5 for 4 hands - on the list. Thanks.

[Grantuspeace]

108. My link is for full Orchestration

Although the piano duet has its own merits.

[lukasahero]

114. Yes, I know, I listened

I think the version for piano for 4 hands is a little more "rambunctious".

[Grantuspeace]

74. Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody

#2 for piano. From the Bugs Bunny Cartoon

[Grantuspeace]

83. Youtube Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byGI1mDi3no&feature=related

[Grantuspeace]

75. Borodin Polovstian Dances #8 and #17

From Prince Ivory

[Grantuspeace]

76. Shchedrin's Transcription of the Carmen Suite

By Bizet. Dance, Second Intermezzo, Suite #2

[Grantuspeace]

87. Bohemian Dance link

Builds to a brilliant climax. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO8Z6k1DT1Q

[Grantuspeace]

77. Dvorak Slavonic Dances and

#2 in E minor, #7 in c minor, all of the "American Quartet" pieces, Cello Concertos, New World Symphony

[Grantuspeace]

78. Camille Saint Saens Carnival of the Animals

Aquarium, The Cuckoo, Tortoise and the Lion have been used in commercials.

[Grantuspeace]

91. link to parts 1-7

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

[Grantuspeace]

79. Bach Double Violin Concerto

There is an awesome version of this on YouTube.

[Grantuspeace]

85. Pearlman and Stern Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vesrqFeq9rU&feature=related

[MilesColtrane]

90. Bartok String Quartets

There are slow movements, but they are never boring.

Depending on your co-worker's reactions though, this may put them off classical music for good.

Shun those that hate it, and go out for drinks with those who like it.

[lukasahero]

109. Just saw this

lol!

I do my best to shun this guy for other reasons anyway but thought the music was worth the effort if not him. :)

I admit, I need to listen to more Bartok. Played him some in college but didn't have the ear for it yet. Time to revisit.

Thanks!

[begin_within]

92. Rent them "Immortal Beloved" and play it loudly. Also "Fantasia."

[MilesColtrane]

94. Prokofiev-Alexander Nevsky, The Crusaders in Pskov

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kW-icFD3dA&playnext=1&list=PL6F1BAFE8CBB8CAE0

Excerpt from The Battle on the Ice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6IXRYBPc_g

[Lucian]

95. Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" is the most beautiful song ever created.

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

Edit to add: Not "classical," but Yanni's The End of August is my favorite contemporary instrumental song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjw-YgTD6Ng

[lukasahero]

99. I put the 3 movement on the list

But the first only validates their opinion about it being slow.

[cyberswede]

100. O Fortuna

I see a couple other posts mention Orff's Carmina Burana, but I didn't see this piece mentioned specifically. It's used as the opening and closing of Carmina Burana. I think it's used in film a lot. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNWpZ-Y_KvU

[cyberswede]

101. There's always "Heavy Classix"

Which includes Wagner's Ride of The Valkyries, of course.

http://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Classix/dp/B000002SO9/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1311345084&sr=1-4

There are other compilation CDs that are similar, too. Fun stuff!

[geardaddy]

102. Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto.

[TuxedoKat]

103. I love threads like this

Here are some of my all time favorites, this first group of pieces are faster and more energetic pieces (no shortage of notes!):

Introduction and Rondo Capricioso, in A Minor, Op. 28, Camille Saint-Saens - this one starts slowly but OMG, give it chance it will blow you away, it's great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HQyXWkABo0&feature=related

Violin Concerto in D Major, Tchaikovsky - another one that starts slowly, but what a finish!

Polonaise in A Flat Major (nicknamed the heroic polonaise), Chopin -- LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twW1WXltX90&feature=related

Grand Polonaise Brillante in E Flat Major, Chopin - also very pretty and spirited

Piano Concerto no. 5 in E Flat Major (aka "The Emperer"), Beethoven -- another beautiful piece, very surprised no one has mentioned it yet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akc0v_KTZBM

Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61, Beethoven – another amazing work

Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16, Grieg – think someone already mentioned it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akc0v_KTZBM

Ritual Fire Dance from Nights in the Gardens of Spain, de Falla – mysterious, haunting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ftd8tIdiYq4&feature=related

Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) - Dvorak -- also surprised no one has mentioned this one either

Bacchanale from the opera Samson and Delilah, Camille Saint-Saens - fast, romantic and exotic

Brindisi (Drinking Song from La Traviata) , Verdi – great fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcKdnkGBSgA

La Boutique Fantasque – Rossini – a spirited ballet


These are great too, but more for relaxing and drinking wine, they have their energetic parts too though.

Symphony #3, Brahms – sad, haunting, beautiful

Scheherazade, Rimsky-Korsakov – so romantic and mysterious! It just transports you. LOVE IT!

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, 18th variation, Rachmaninoff (you may recognize this from the movie Somewhere in Time)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_BArG3ollw&feature=related


I would love to hear your friends' reactions to all the various pieces in the entire thread, please post a follow-up! Hey wait, what are some of your favorite pieces?

[lukasahero]

107. I wouldn't call him "my friend"

My co-worker is one of those guys that brags about how he listens to all kinds of music "except for..." (In his case the exception includes rap, jazz, classical, musicals and I'm not even sure what else.) Classical music, in his opinion is too slow - he needs "lots of beats per minute"... :eyes:

My goal was to get some of the fastest music I know and see what he thought about that. I tried to include different instruments, styles and periods to give a wide variety. (I posted a list of the songs I gave him here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=9739422&mesg_id=9740309 ) I gave them to him yesterday. I told him I would be happy to give him more if he found any of these to his liking. He has said nothing at this point.

Oh well.

As for me, I have too many favorites to list but somewhere near the top of any list would be Saint-Saens Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor played by Cho-Liang Lin and Gian-Carlo Menotti's "The Gorgon, The Unicorn and the Manticore". As a pianist, one favorite would be Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata (prefer Ashkenazy's version) but again, I love too many to limit it. (Heck, I have favorite performers for different composers...) :)

Thanks for the list. There were a couple there I'm not familiar with.

(Oh and thanks for asking my opinion. Really - that was kind of nice and unexpected. :hi: )

[TuxedoKat]

121. You're welcome

I was going to post a few more mostly just for you, probably wouldn't appeal to your friend, but will have to do it later, too busy right now. Thanks for sharing some of your favorites. Pathetique was the only one I was familiar with.

[lukasahero]

135. Please do post more

when you have time. I've taken all the suggestions from this thread and am putting them into a file that I will then compare to my own library and go out and buy what I like and don't have. Been a great boost to my listening queue. :)

[haele]

105. Gershwin. Berlioz. Copland

Rhapsody in Blue, Symphonie Fantastique, and Appalachian Spring are a good start.
I also like Beethoven's 3rd or 5th Symphony, Shubert's Unfinished Symphony. Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony. Brahm's First (all have a nice, galloping rhythm to them)
Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain".
A lot of suites - Peer Ghent Suite, Firebird Suite. And overtures - William Tell and The 1812 Overture (don't know anyone who doesn't get the heart pumping towards the end of that one)

Classical Music that tells a story or can paint a picture is your best bet. I've also started non-classical music lovers out on "What's Opera, Doc?" or P.D.Q. Bach... :)
Heck, there's been a lot of good suggestions up above. A lot will depend on what your co-workers are currently listening to; but tell them that much of the rhythm and tonality of the early Rock and Roll - specifically the British Invasion classic Rock - can be linked as much to Bach as R&B.

Haele

[Grantuspeace]

110. Classical Music has been around 400-500 years or more.

Sure, there is a lot of crap with so much music to consider. But even Rock 'N Roll, which has only been around since the mid/late 50's is varied and is not all good either.

[lukasahero]

112. You're preaching to the choir

:)

[Pendrench]

115. How about a couple of Rossini overtures?

Barber of Seville: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OloXRhesab0

William Tell:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7O91GDWGPU&feature=related

Tim

[lukasahero]

116. William Tell is on the list

Hadn't thought of Barber though. Thanks!

[freshwest]

119. Have you made any converts yet with the list?

[pitohui]

123. the odds of that are a million to one against

tastes in music are not changed by force, weeping, pleading, or playing louder pieces of music

[lukasahero]

132. Except that he a) says he likes all kinds of music and b)

said he only didn't like it because it wasn't fast enough which just means he's not familiar enough with classical to know where to look for fast tempo vs. slow, not that he necessarily dislikes it.

He was interested in listening, I came here to ask for additional suggestions. What's your problem? :shrug:

[lukasahero]

133. A few actually

The kid I made the disc for said he knew some of the music but still never made the connection (i.e. - cartoons) that classical music could sound like that. :facepalm:

I also gave a copy to another guy who was the one who told the first kid that Beethoven and Mozart wouldn't be "exciting enough" (WHAT!?!?) but "Bach did some crazy stuff". He's actually been listening to the disc since Friday. (Of course, I want to kill myself now because he sits in the cube next to me and doesn't believe in headphones. :banghead: )

[lumpy]

120. Enesco's Romanian Rhaphsody.

v

[pitohui]

122. well some of it's loud and obnoxious as opposed to slow and boring

if by getting your blood pumping, you mean wrecking your nerves, there's that russian guy i can't spell who has all the gunfire going off during the piece

honestly, though, why not just accept that for many, many, MANY people "classical" music stinks?

we can't all like the same things and what blows your mind will probably numb their buns, you're doing a lot of work that will not be appreciated, consider it "pearls before swine" if you must

[kwassa]

124. You consistently demonstrate the power of negative thinking.

The world is going to hell in a handbasket, after all.

[lukasahero]

134. Whether he likes it or not, he has learned something

And I have learned as well. I've enjoyed chatting with people here about music and my co-workers and I have had enthusiastic discussions about various kinds of music. I've dug back into my own musical history and library and relived some cherished memories.

I'm sure you'll be happy to tell me how wrong I am, but I see no bad in any of that.

:hi:

[fortyfeetunder]

125. Quite a few, that I work out and/or listen to.

Exercise music
Marche Slave, - Tchaikovsky
The Sorceror's Apprentice - Dukas (Seen in Disney Movie Fantasia, Mickey Mouse is the 'apprentice')
The Valkyrie (sp?) - Wagner

Listening music
The Sea Hawk Overture - Erich Korngold
Capriccio espagnol - Rimsky-Korsakov
Capriccio italien - Tchaikovsky

Good for you for setting the record straight!

[dalaigh lllama]

126. Verdi's Requiem

Love the whole thing, but "Dies Irae" is to die for...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDFFHaz9GsY

[handmade34]

127. Camille Saint-Saëns, Danse Macabre

the one that turned me onto classical music when I was 10yo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CHqhsMP80E&feature=related

[blogslut]

128. That's the one!

Such a fun piece. I defy any "classical music hater" to turn their nose up once they've heard it.

[nuxvomica]

130. Me too!

First piece of sheet music I ever got.

[jmowreader]

129. The Anvil Chorus, of course

Someone already mentioned the 1812 Overture.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

131. Almost anything by Vivaldi!

Concerto for two violins in A Minor for example :bounce:
http://youtu.be/7E-RTI-H2oI

[RedCloud]

139. Yes! Anything that will invoke their blasphemous tears.

[TygrBright]

136. Chopin's "Revolutionary" Etude. Chopin waltzes. Film scores by Ennio Morricone or Miklos Rozsa n/t

[Iggo]

137. Far Beyond The Sun -- Yngwie J. Malmsteen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyVK1a-KC38

Yeah, I know. It's neo-classical. But your friends are rubes. They'll never know the difference.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

140. And now for something completely different: Gabrieli.

Music for brass, fast and loud. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Ro2pC9pD4&feature=related

[no_hypocrisy]

142. What about "Sonata Pian 'e Forte"?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

143. That's another good one.

I'm a huge fan of early music, and Gabrieli is one of my favorites.

[no_hypocrisy]

144. Mine too. The more brass, the better.

[no_hypocrisy]

141. Leonard Bernstein's "Candide Overture"

The last movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony ("Ode to Joy") with complete orchestra and choruses.

[mikeytherat]

149. "deus irae" from Verdi's Requiem

mikey_the_rat