Music you don't "get"

[DaveF]

Good grief! I step out for lunch and come back to find this thread already on its second page.

Jared, I listen to the late Mozart Piano Concertos from time to time and they are the only piano works that I come back to time and time again. Chopin is fine when I'm in the right mood but very little other piano stuff does it for me.

I havent really explored any of the English composers with the exception of Handel whose work I like a lot.

Most Sonatas I dont have time for with the exception of some Cello stuff.

[Seán]

Having said that, I do enjoy a lot of 20th Century French Organ music. That could take out 3 of your 4 boxes!

Let's just say, I've heard some Messiaen, Widor & Vierne... once a lifetime should just about do it..

A flying visit to assert that I do like Messian, Prokofiev and Shostakovich and Stravinsky is aaahh, wonderful, wonderful, I love his music.
Bye! Talk later.

[Seán]

Good grief! I step out for lunch and come back to find this thread already on its second page.

Jared, I listen to the late Mozart Piano Concertos from time to time and they are the only piano works that I come back to time and time again. Chopin is fine when I'm in the right mood but very little other piano stuff does it for me.

I havent really explored any of the English composers with the exception of Handel whose work I like a lot.

Most Sonatas I dont have time for with the exception of some Cello stuff.

Perahia and Clara Haskil

[bombasticDarren]

Vaughan Williams; (sorry Jared, sorry Darren)
Elgar; (sorry lads, sorry, sorry)
Most opera (singers bore me to tears);
Most of Bach's and Baroque sacred music in general (feck sake, I've just slaughtered a sacred cow here, I'll be lynched. I will have to work on this, I know, I am missing out here.)
Dvorak's Symphonic Dances
Ravel's Bolero
Holst's The Planets

I really enjoy a bit of Vaughan Williams Sean, but Elgar I find to be a real effort. It may come as no surprise when I say my favourite English composer is actually Walton (and I am loving Bax at the moment too!)

Opera - well, it's a tough nut to crack I admit. The thing I object to is the sheer amount of time (and consequently concentration) it often takes. That said, when I listen to opera, and it all clicks, then it's a wonderful experience.

Bach - you're just going to have the take the hit on that one I'm afraid Sean....;-)

Dvorak - not sure I agree, but fair enough. Rachamaninoff's Symphonic Dances though; wow ! ;-)

The Planets - I have picked up a few recording lately very cheaply so am conducting a comparitive listeing survey of sorts. I like it, it's not the greatest thing on earth (or the solar system!), and I like Holst (who has so much more to offer than The Planets - try Hickox's surveys on Chandos)

Bolero - we simply cannot agree on this one at all lol. I love it, I love listening to it, I love collecting recordings. Jared suggest it's overrated, but from my perspective, being brought up on Torvill and Dean (!), it's the opposite. I thought it was the very apex of naff and didn't want to know at all. Then I listened to it and learnt that it's not just a 3 minute long soundtrack for skating for starters! I am an avowed fan of Ravel anyway, and one of the key attractions is his orchestrations and Bolero displays those skills expertly. On a visceral level (having heard it in concert twice; believe me, this helps) I find a superior recording of it to be thrilling and hypnotic; it does something to me that no other piece does. And that's why I like it ;-)

[bombasticDarren]

1) French music after Berlioz There's something a bit different about French music (less hard edges...or something) that can take some getting used to. I like a lot of it though I have to say.

2) The Organ Yes, I can see your point

3) Most Opera I truly do recommend Peter Grimes...

4) Quite a lot of 20th Century Music - Prokofiev, Stravinsky and Shostakovich are a long way off. I don't think you can ask for any more at present...Well all I can say there is that you have a hell of a lot to look forward to

;-)

[bombasticDarren]

You're in good company on the pagan front, but I'm not at all interested in the meanings of the words per se (with the exception of the how they relate to the music in terms of word-painting, etc.) Just let it go, forget about why this music was composed, try to disregard the religious connotations, and it all becomes much easier.

I am completely and utterly not religious in any way, shape or form and I also fully support this approach to listening to religious works...

[Jared]

4) Quite a lot of 20th Century Music - Prokofiev, Stravinsky and Shostakovich are a long way off. I don't think you can ask for any more at present...Well all I can say there is that you have a hell of a lot to look forward to

I would throw that statement right back at you my friend... with reference to Renaissance music..

[bombasticDarren]

1) Modern music that sounds too modern and hard work i.e. melodically difficult and rhythmically abusive

2) Unaccompanied choral works

3) Tippett's A Child of Our Time (although I generally love Tippett)

4) Some oratorio, but I am working on this one...

[Jared]

^^ no Lieder, I see? ;-)

[bombasticDarren]

^^ no Lieder, I see? ;-)

Well, I like lieder, and I 'get' it but I do admit that I find it challenging to focus on...