Interested in classical music

All my life I have listened only to rock of all kinds, metal, progressive, blues-rock... and many many more.
Lately I have been interested in classical music, but can't seem to find my way in this great jungle called classical music, so, I would like some of the classical music buffs around here to suggest some classical pieces, that might be a little easier on the rock lovers ears, to ease me into it.
Thanks in advance, wooda.

edit: I meant classical european music, not classic rock, sorry for the confusion.

Would classic rock fit under your description of classic music? (Even though you said all kinds of rock, I didn't see that one mentioned) If so, check my sig for two bands I'd recommend: The Beatles and Queen. If not...Beethoven and Bach are nice. :sweatingb

I've grown more into classical music, it's really great and uplifting. Some songs really feels like they clean your soul, that's the best way to describe it

I used to be more against it in the past, but I think part of that is because of the people I normally associate with when I think of those who listen to classical music (difficult to explain what they're like).

I just decided that I don't have to be a part of them to listen to classical music.

Well, Beethoven & Mozart are definets. Dont forget about Tchaikosky *sp?* either. Vivaldi is great, his Four Seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) are great, I love spring (reminds you of a english gentlemans house) but for some reason, Winter captivates me.

There are so many to choose from!

Holst and his planet suite is a must. (If you have to start by one song I suggest Mars, Bringer of War or Jupiter, Bringer of Jolity which are two most well known among the suite. You probably already heard about those two).
Also sprach Zarathustra, by Richard Strauss (the song from Space Odyssey)
Stravinski
Vivaldi and the 4 seasons
Edgard Varese
Wagner

I also suggest Atom Heart Mother by Pink Floyd.

Mars (Better yet, all The Planets)
Morpheus
Alden Bridge Overture
Radetzky March

These are the only ones I can really name off the top of my head, since I played all these.

If you prefer orchestral music over early small chamber or solo music (I say this because classical music encompasses a huge range. Generally I mean if you are looking for things like symphonies.) two composers I would like to recommend looking at are Jean Sibelius and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Sibelius is Late Romantic, RVW is later than that. For Sibelius, his Symphony No. 2 is a good place to start. His Finlandia and Violin Concerto are also worth looking at.

It's not easy to get into all of Vaughan Williams' works, but he has a lot of pastoral music which is pleasant. If you remember the film Master and Commander, its most serious scenes were led by Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. Also recommend The Lark Ascending, Five variants of 'Dives and Lazarus', and Symphony No. 5.

If I haven't sold you on these two favourites of mine I can provide more information about different composers too. If I have succeeded I can provide more suggestions.

Forgot Finlandia.
Hard to play, but a very good song when played correctly.

edit- My god, I'm listening to Mars right now. No words to describe it. It would just make it not sound as good. Get the Planets, now.

Originally Posted by Socrates's student

edit- My god, I'm listening to Mars right now. No words to describe it. It would just make it not sound as good. Get the Planets, now.

Hi, i was wondering if you guys could help me find tracks of classical which are best for battle games, like RTW.
I mean like loud with lots of emotion.
I have afew songs ive heard which i have included as "suitable" these are Duel Of Fates from Star Wars and The battle from Gladiator.
Can you guys help me find some more like these?
Thanks.

Mars, by Holst, without a doubt.

Arcangelo Corelli's 'Christmas Concerto' (type Christmas Concerto into limewire and it will come up with stuff. If you buy the master and commander soundtrack though you will get about 4 great classical pieces including Fantasia on a theme by thomas tallis as mentioned up there) though i prefer the other tracks but the names make no sense to me. eg. one track im listening to now i really like but the name is Prelude (From the Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007)

I recommend the Master and Commander soundtrack though. Great music. Remember not all of it is classical though, good none the less.

You could also listen to classic music radio on the internet. HERE for example.

Symphonic music im not entirelly well versed in, although I do love Beethoven's symphonies (especially the 7th) and Tchaikovskey.
For organ, Bach is king. The Piano? Classical period, Mozart is the central, he for the most part has very airy and happy stuff. Theres also the sonatas of Haydn, and some others that are also top notch, the Rondo Alla Turca from the 11th sonata is nice (the whole 11th sonata is nice.) You may also like the Sonata in C. Domenico Scarlatti has many beautiful sonatas. Beethoven has a somewhat deeper and more romantic style to his work, forget the triteness of some pieces such as the moonlight sonata or fur elise, for yes while they're overplayed by most every piano student ever, when played properly by quality musicians, they're very nice. Getting fully into romantic though, Chopin and Liszt are some of the greatest pianists ever. Chopin is usually pretty solemn, but very beautiful. I'd suggest the Nocturnes, and he also has many beautiful waltzes, mazurkas and other dances. Waltz in A Flat major, or Mazurka in A minor are good ones.
Liszt, Hungarian Rhapsodies (Check out the Hungarian Rhapsody #2) Liebstraum #3.
Coming into 20th century type stuff, check out Claude Debussy (Claire de Lune, La Fille aux Chevaux de Lin) very, very, beautiful pieces.

I think that orf is pretty good. Dont liek mozart verry much thoe...
Edit: aint the beatles more of classical pop?:S

Beethoven and Mozart are definites if you're trying to get into Classical. Tchaikovskey is quite nice as well, I like Holst too. Haydn is very excellent if you can find a CD of his stuff. It's kinda rare I find. The Fifth Symphony in C Minor by Ludwig van Beethoven has to be the best work of Classical music ever. I know that sounds cliched but it is true. I have never heard any music which can match the depth and power of Beethoven's Fifth.

Originally Posted by Eric

Beethoven and Mozart are definites if you're trying to get into Classical. Tchaikovskey is quite nice as well, I like Holst too. Haydn is very excellent if you can find a CD of his stuff. It's kinda rare I find. The Fifth Symphony in C Minor by Ludwig van Beethoven has to be the best work of Classical music ever. I know that sounds cliched but it is true. I have never heard any music which can match the depth and power of Beethoven's Fifth.

At the same time you cannot say: this one is the best. Because there are so much different styles among classical music, comparing two different pieces can be like comparing a metal song and jazz song, you just cannot compare them.

Hi,
I have listen to Beethoven's 9th Symphony which is reasonable to what im looking for, but most of his songs contain piano or have piano in the title and i just feel this isnt what im looking for.
The Mars, the bringer of war song is excellent for my needs, more songs like that please
It may surprise you but i only like Dance/Trance etc music and i must say its hard to compare differnet genres or songs. For instance if you buy a cd some songs will be very high tempo and then others slow or will contain vocals. A great example is a guy called DJ Tiesto and his Adagio for Strings, that is probs his best song, very techy, whereas his other songs are slower is this the same for classical composers? They make a good one and the rest are quite different or poor?
Still trying to get more songs together to play RTW with, so anymore suggestions would be nice.
Thanks again guys.

A great example is a guy called DJ Tiesto and his Adagio for Strings, that is probs his best song, very techy

Its not his song, he's taken berber-adagio for strings and added a dance beat

oh gods
the DJ Tiesto mix of that is awful

William Orbit did a much much better techno/trance remix of that piece, which isn't bad on its own either...

Vaugn Williams Fantasia on a theme by thomas tallis is also damn good...
The Planets Suite
the 1812 overture
Elgars Enigma Varitations
Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky (sp)
also, Summer, by Vivaldi from the 4 seasons, is absolutely wonderful

i'm also a big fan of new age and crossover classical music, and i strongly recommend the work of Maksim Mrvica (usually creditted simply as Maksim) he has to be one of the best pianists ever