Awesome Classical Music

You know the saying, "they don't make things like they used to?"  Well, I would have to agree when it comes to music.  Music composed years ago has so much more depth and complexity than most of what is popular today.  And kids today who listen to Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga say classical music is boring.  Maybe some classical music is "boring" in the sense that it is written with slower tempos and for instruments with softer timbres.  But I'm here to give you some examples of classical music that is simply awesome.  Listen with an open mind, and you may find a newfound appreciation for the classics!

Beethoven

Ludwig von Beethoven - Symphony #5

Premier:1808

Beethoven's fifth is perhaps my favorite symphony of all time.  The first movment, Allegro con brio, is the most recognizable and is based on a simple four note motif.  It opens with a bang - the motif is presented immediately at a fortissimo (really loud) dynamic.  I think what makes this movement so moving is its wide range of dynamics throughout.  It is like a roller coaster ride with extremely soft moments played only by the high strings followed by extrememly loud moments played by the full orchestra.  This is also what keeps the same motif that is played over and over again from getting monotonous or boring.  In total, this symphony has four movements, each sounding different than the next, yet still all tying together.  When listening, consider the fact that Beethoven in his mid-30s and was beginning to lose his hearing at this point in his life.

Wagner

Richard Wagner - Die Walkure (Ride of the Valkyries)
Premier: 1870
Die Walkure is the second opera in the set of four composed by Wagner as part of his cycle, "Der Ring des Nibelung."   Now, you probably just read the word "opera" and began to dismiss it already.  You are picturing a fat lady singing in a foreign language.  Ok, well you are probably right.  The opera is in German.  However, the most famous part, "Ride of the Valkyries," is mostly instrumental.  And awesome.  It has been used in movies, commercials, and cartoons, so you've probably heard it.  If I were in the army and about to head into battle, this would be the song I'd want to hear to get me motivated.



Stravinsky



Igor Stravinsky - Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring)

Premier: 1913

The music for this ballet was so ahead of its time and controversial that it literally caused the audience to riot at its premier performance.  We're talking fist fights in the aisles.  What made the audience go so crazy?  Well, it didn't sound pretty and pleasant.  There was lots of dissonance and mixed meters.  Some parts of the music were incredibly aggressive and violent.  Stravinsky also used some inventive compositional techniques that were not common or expected at the time.  This is a very important piece of music in the progression of 20th century art music.

Respighi

Ottorino Respighi - Pines of Rome
Premier: 1924
The Pines of Rome is a symphonic poem with four movements: "The Pines of the Villa Borghese," "Pines near a catacomb," "The Pines of the Janiculum," and "The Pines of the Appian Way."  The final movement is my favorite and builds to an incredible climax.  It starts very soft and sounds mysterious, even haunting.  As the movement progresses, more brass are added and the tone shifts from mysterious to majestic.  You might recognize the music from Disney's Fantasia 2000.

Holst

Gustav Holst - The Planets
Premier: 1918
The Planets is a seven movement orchestral piece, with each movement representing a planet in our solar system.  The music is meant to evoke imagery and mood for the specific planet.  The first movement, Mars, the Bringer of War, is my favorite.  It is composed in 5/4 time and the music is really intense.  It could easily be part of a movie soundtrack.  Another notable movement is the fourth movement - Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity.  The brass fanfare work is remarkable, and the melody is memorable.  If you're wondering why there are only seven movements, it is because Earth is not included, and Pluto was not considered a planet at the time this was composed.  Pluto has since been downgraded to a dwarf planet anyway.  Poor Pluto.


Barber


Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings
Premier: 1938
This one could be a real tear-jerker.  It is powerful in a much different way than the rest of the pieces I have listed here.  In fact, this is possibly the most emotional song I know.  I don't think I've ever listened without getting goosebumps or even getting teary-eyed.  This was used a lot after 9/11 in memorial services.  The violins really build tension with extrememly high notes and close intervals.  And just when you think the tension is too much, the resolution relieves the tension, and the strings move back down to lower pitches.  It ends quietly and without fanfare.  I dare you to listen and not be moved.

Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem Mass in D Minor
A requiem is basically the collection of music played at a funeral mass in the Roman Catholic church.  Many composers wrote their own versions, and this is Mozart's.  What is interesting about this one is that he died before he finished it (ironic, huh?) and it was finished by another much less famous composer.  Rumor has it that Mozart knew he was writing this requiem for his own funeral.  It is a haunting collection of music, with the Lacrymosa being particularly moving.  Again, I get chills every time I hear it.  Dies Irae is another fantastic movement.  I think this is some of the most beautiful music ever composed, and I wouldn't mind at all if Mozart's Requiem is played at my funeral.

Copland

Aaron Coplad - Appalachian Spring
Premier: 1944
Aaron Copland, to me, is the American Composer.  His music truly paints a vivid imagery of our beautiful landscape.  And when you consider that this piece (actually music for a ballet) premiered in the midst of World War II, it makes it that much more special.  When you think of American music, you probably think of patriotic songs like America the Beautiful and Yankee Doodle, but I think the pinnacle of American music is the music of Copland.  He based many of his compositions on our traditional folk music, and this was no exception.  He uses "Simple Gifts," a Shaker melody, as a basis for his ending variations.

Gershwin

George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Premier: 1924
This one is special because it combines the elements of classical music with jazz.  The bend of the clarinet note is atypical of classical music, but exactly what the musicians were doing in jazz at the time.  The chord structure used throughout is much more typical of jazz, yet he uses the instrumentation of a full symphony orchestra.  The piano player and the clarinet player are without a doubt the stars of this piece.  If you like what Gershwin did for Rhapsody in Blue, be sure to check out his other music.

Greig

Edward Grieg - In The Hall of the Mountain King
Premier: 1876
This piece of music was composed as a piece of instrumental music to accompany a Norwegian play, Peer Gynt.  The song "Morning Mood," which you may know, is also from the same play.  It is composed from the nationalistic approach, and incorporates traditional Norwegian music and imagery.  This is another highly recognizeable song.  I love the way it builds in velocity right up to the very end.

Orff

Carl Orff - Carmina Burana
Premier: 1937
Carmina Burana is a "scenic cantata" sung in Latin and based on poems from the 11th and 12th centuries.  Whether you realize it or not, I think you definitely know this piece - specifically "O Fortuna."  It has been used in many movies and TV shows for incredibly dramatic moments.  Even though this was composed in the 20th century, it conveys a medieval sound and mood using more modern instrumentation and compositional techniques.  It was Orff's most famous work.

There are so many more pieces that I could include here, so maybe I'll give you a "Part 2" in the future.  But for now, enjoy these timeless classics!