Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

    I have several other recordings that are (at least to me) similar types
    of music to The Four Seasons. They are all "smooth" pieces that I enjoy
    listening to, and find relaxing.  
        
 SYMPHONIES FOR STRINGS, WQ 182        BACH, C. P. E.
    PINNOCK & THE ENGLISH CONCERT    ARCHIV                 
 
 SIX FAVORITE OVERTURES                BACH, J. C.                      
    ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC         L'OISEAU-LYRE          
 
 4 ORCHESTRAL SUITES                   BACH, J. S.                      
    STUTTGART CHAMBER ORCHESTRA      LONDON                 
 
 BRANDENBURG CONCERTOS 1-6             BACH, J. S.                      
    ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC         L'OISEAU-LYRE          
 
 MUSIC FOR THE ROYAL FIREWORKS         HANDEL, G.                       
    ACADEMY OF ST. MARTINS	     ARCHIV?
 
 ALEXANDER'S FEAST / OBOE CONCERTOS    HANDEL, G.                   
    PINNOCK & THE ENGLISH CONCERT    ARCHIV                 
 
 6 CONCERTI GROSSI OP. 3               HANDEL, G.                       
    PINNOCK & THE ENGLISH CONCERT    ARCHIV                 
 
 CONCERTI A DUE CORI                   HANDEL, G.                       
    ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC         L'OISEAU-LYRE          
 
 VIVALDI - CONCERTI (LUTE CONCERTOS)   VIVALDI, ANTONIO                 
    SOLLSCHER, BERN, FURI            DEUTSCHE GRAMMAPHON
 
 LA STRAVAGANZA, 12 CONCERTOS, OP. 4   VIVALDI, ANTONIO          
    ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC         L'OISEAU-LYRE          
 
 6 CONCERTI, OP. 10 FOR FLUTE AND STRING ORCH.   VIVALDI, ANTONIO
    RAMPAL, JEAN-PIERRE/ I SOLISTI   CBS MASTERWORKS        
 
 ALLA RUSTICA                          VIVALDI, ANTONIO                 
    PINNOCK & THE ENGLISH CONCERT    ARCHIV                 

    re -1
    
    I'm pretty much in the same situation as you.  I just started listening
    to classical music and don't know much of what's out there.  I think
    we have the same taste because I think the Four Seasons is really
    great.  I only have one other classical cd so far :
    
    Handel - Water Music (Archiv)
    
    It's really pleasant to listen to, and sounds excellent (DDD).
    

    Vivaldi wrote hundreds of concertos -- somewhere between 400 and
    600 (no, those are NOT typos).  He has been accused of writing
    the same concerto hundreds of times, so if you like the Four
    Seasons (who doesn't?), you'll probably like any of his concertos.
    
    An earlier note (.1?) gave some good reccomendations for Baroque
    music -- moving on in history, try some light Classical music --
    maybe some Mozart Divertimentos.   Jumping in to the really
    heavy stuff (say, Wagner operas) may result in bafflement and
    boredom.  I'd start with the light stuff, and then dig deeper
    in areas I liked.  For instance, if you like the Mozart
    Divertimentos, you might try Mozart symphonies.
    
    Buying music in the record store without knowing much about it
    is a crapshoot -- if you have a friend who has a good classical
    collection you might persuade him to a) lend you discs to try
    b) invite you over and let you sample his collection.
    
    
    			George

Don't lose heart ... I often get discouraged in the classical CD section of
Lechmere, and I've got a degree in music!  (I think I fell asleep in all the
Music Lit. classes.)

Try to find these CDs - they're VERY good:

   BACH:  		Suites for Orchestra, Nos. 1 & 2	more good
          		English Baroque Soloists/Gardiner	Baroque music
			Erato ECD-88048

   MENDELSSOHN:		Symphonies 3 & 4			good start w/
			Chicago Symphony/Solti			this composer
			London 414 665-2

   VAUGHAN WILLIAMS:	Fantasia on a Theme by T. Tallis	one of my
   & others		& other pieces				favorite discs
			St. Louis Symphony Orch./Slatkin
			Telarc CD-80059

   VIVALDI:		An Isaac Stern Vivaldi Gala		more good
			Isaac Stern, et al.			Vivaldi
			CBS Masterworks, MK 38982

   various:		Chamber Music for Oboe & Strings	you'll like
			Heinz Holliger, et al.			this one
			Denon 38C37-7119

    
    For starters:
    
    		A compilation disk....Pachelbel and Fasch by Pillard
    					Chamber Orch.
    		This disk is excellent and probably has the most music
    		from J.Pachebel you're likly to find anywhere.
    
    		Mozart symphony #40 and #41, Solti/London 
    
    		Mozart Piano concerto #20-23 Tate/Uchida/English Chamber
    
    		Mozart Divertimentos,Eine Kline Natchmusic(sp)
        		Imusici/Phillips
    
    			This is one of my all time favorites.
    
    I could go on and on but...I think everyone has given you some
    excellent choices.
    
    Good luck in your selections!!  john//
    	
    		Haydn symphonies  Solti/London
    
    		

    This has been mentioned in other notes, but I will repeat it. If
    you are within driving distance of Sudbury, go to the Electric
    Gramaphone. Rick, the owner, has an extensive knowledge of classical
    music and will help you with purchases that will meet your taste.
    Also, if you are purchasing any non sale disk, you will be permitted
    to sample the disk before purchasing. EG is open every night from
    7:00 to 9:00. It is located in Mill Vilage on route 20. Look for
    Active Ingredients. The doorway to EG is to the left of AI and the
    store is on the 3rd floor. Also, EG has one on the largest selections
    of classical music in New England.
    

Does anyone have the Paul Winters CD...Common Ground.  I was thinking
    about getting this one.
    
    						John

    Don't forget the radio. WGBH very often has reviews of new compact
    discs. They not only play them, they will give the label as well.
    WGBH = 89.7. Catch Robert J. Lurtzema's Morning Pro Musica on your
    way to work. 7:00 to Noon. He pushes the wrong buttons, miscues
    records, mumbles horribly, and we *love* him.
    
    Look for Pachelbel's Canon in D. It gets *lots* of airplay but if
    you haven't heared it, ... Aaahhhhhhhhhhh 
    
    walt

	 With the New Year, The major newspaper of this City
	 (Montreal) gave their "Recordings of the Year".
	 (a couple may seem to have a "parti-pris" but what the heck!.)

	 o	Rachmaninov   Vsyenoschnaya 
	 		Choral Art Society of Washington/Mstislav Rostropovitch
	 		ERATO ECD 75319
	 o	Sibelius + Tcha�kovsky, Concerto for Violon
	 		V. Mullova, Violon, Boston Symph Orch /Ozawa
	 		Philips 416821-2
	 o	C.P.E. Bach   Markus-Passion
	 		Kantorei and Bach Collegium of Stuttgart/H. Rilling
	 		CBS M2K 42511 (2 CD)
	 o	Beethoven   5 Concerto for Piano
	 		Anton Kuerti, Piano/ Toronto Symph, A.Davis
	 		CBC Entreprise (3 cd box) SMCD 5027-3
	 o	Schmidt	   Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln
	 		Viena Chorus and Orch/ Lothar Zagrosek
	 		Orfeo C143862H
	 o	Vierne	 6 symphonies for organ
	 		Jacques Boucher, Gaston Arel...Organ
	 		REM 11047-1/2 ; 11048-3/4
	 o	Stravinsky  P�trouchka, le chant du Rossignol...
	 		Orch Symph de Montr�al/Dutoit
	 		London 417 619-2
	 o	Holst	The Planets
	 		Orch Symph. de Montr�al/Dutoit
	 		London  417 553-2
	 o	Bartok	Divertimento, Stravinsky ...
	 		I Musici de Montr�al/Y. Turovsky
	 		Chandos CHAN 8515
	 o	Schubert	Sonate D 959, 6 waltz...
	 		P. Berkowitz
	 		Meridian CDE84103
	 o	Beethoven	Quatuor a corde op 59 no3 + Op 74
	 		Quatuor Orford
	 		Delos D/CD 3055
	 o	Mahler  Das lied von der erde (Historic 1960 Performance)
	 					(Re-edition for CD)
	 		New York Philh./Walter 
	 		Music and Art of America CD-206
	 o	Gilles Tremblay V�pres de la vierge
	 		Choeur et Orch de Lyon.../Gilles Tremplay cond.
	 		Ariane ARI/136
	 o	Tchaikovsky Concerto no 1 pour piano
	 		London Symph/Slatkin
	 		RCA 5708-2-RC
	 o	Moussorgsky  Picture at an exhibition, Listz...
	 		RCA 5931-2-RC
	 o	Beethoven Sonates op 69
	 		L. Rose/ E. Istomin
	 		CBS MK42398
	 o	Schnittke, Sonate, Stravinsky Suite, Chostakovitich...
	 		BIS CD336
	 		
	 		

    I LIKE WHOEVER SAID EXPERIMENT GENTLY...
    
    Couple comments...
    
    Look for these signs: 
    
    The newer the date of the recording, usually the better (technically).
    I've noticed some older recordings, yes even DDD that have been
    disapointing.  Once, you're hooked on good clean sound, these
    poorer-than-the-norm recordings are disappointing, and nearly
    impossible to listen to.
    
    Go for DDD as a rule to start.  When you've really caught on to
    your fancy, then start to by Red Seal and other non-digital or older
    digital recordings and pressings.
    
    Find a shop that tells you in advance it is ok to return a disc
    "for any reason."  Get it in writing if it makes you feel better.
    My favorite place does, no hassels.  Even if it ended up being
    depressingly dark Mahler or something.  They should accept your
    lack of knowledge, and allow you this freedom, in return for your
    continued patronage.
    
    TELARC DDD's are almost always great recordings.  The conductor
    SLATKIN, and THE SAINT LOUIS SYMPHONY have some excellent material,
    of note is the Vaughn Williams Theme by Thomas Tallis (sp) and other
    pieces.  If you look at the cover of this disc, the music (mostly
    string) sounds much like the picture.  Pastoral...it's slow rather
    than the lively Four Seasons...but absolutely the best wind down,
    relax type of stuff there is.
    
    When your in a disc store, ask to play some demo's of collection
    discs.  Ie, classical favorites.  You'll learn the names and their
    styles quickly.  I do not recommend collections dics, as they are usually
    abbreviated in some way.  Pay attention to conductors names, orchestra
    names and label names.  They really do sound different.  I prefer
    St Louis and Atlanta Symphonies over the London Symphony for instance.
    You'll develop a preference too, and learn what you like most, and
    least.  Just reading the jackets will help you understand what type
    of music is on the disc, ie soloists, the ensemble, orchestra, the
    actual instruments and so forth.  Ask a store rep to give you a
    "starter's tour," explaining the store layout, alphabetical by
    composer, or conductor? Solos or full complement.  Also, have them
    explain the CD catalog to you, how to read it.  It will help you
    understand the scope and variety of "music" in the classical world.
     
    
    CHEAT!  The university library here allows state residents to go
    into their listening library, check out LP's/cassettes and listen
    to them there or at home.  Spend an afternoon previewing various work. 
    Take notes, composer, conductor, piece name, orchestration, label
    name, recording place and date of recording, live or studio, etc.  
    Then head for the disc shop and pull out the plastic!
    
    Some of my favorites... Chopin (piano).  Copland (orchestration
    that you can understand...Our Town, Billy The Kid)  Respigi
    (orchestration and pictures to imagine in Pines/Fountains of Rome,
    and you'll like his intro/outro to The Birds.)  Holst - The Planets
    (for fire and the full effect).  Don't overlook the moody Russians!
    Some great offerings. 
    
    But, still my favorite disc by far, 
    LEONARD SLATKIN with THE SAINT LOUIS SYMPHONY doing
    VAUGHN WILLIAMS THEME BY THOMAS TALLIS and other beautiful, truly
    beautiful stuff!
    
    And for the record, I'm 35% rock, 30% classical, 20% jazz, and 15%
    instrumental-new age-other.  Dropped out of music some 15 years ago, and
    finally came back when I purchased a CD player.  My re-discovery
    of music through CD continues to be nothing short of fantastic!
    
    Good listening,
    
    Mike
    
        

    I definitely agree with the idea of borrowing music from the library
    and listening to it.  I borrowed at least 50 different classical discs
    at various times when I was starting out (just last year) , and it
    provided a great way to find composers, artists, and styles that I
    liked.  I still go to the library every few weeks to see whats in.
    
    Its a whole lot cheaper than going out and shooting craps on $15.00
    discs.  
    
    BTW:  I've also found my tastes expanding as time goes on.  For
    example, I listened to Mahler's 4th early last year.  Didn't like
    it at all!  Tried it again in December and found that I really liked
    it, and couldn't figure out why I thought it was too "extreme"
    previously.  Same thing with some of the jazz I've heard.
    
    have fun,
    D

    Re: .10
    
    
�    Go for DDD as a rule to start.  When you've really caught on to
�    your fancy, then start to by Red Seal and other non-digital or older
�    digital recordings and pressings.
    
    This is surely the first mistake to do.
    At least for classical music, if several version of a Concerto are
    made, it's not just because they want to have a better recording. 
    Basically, it's because of the personal interpretation by the
    performers. And it is even true in Pop & Rock music.
    
    Would you rather buy a DDD unknown-band recording of Yesterday, that
    the first original (CD) recording by the Beatles ?
    
    Make your choice.
    
    Pierre.
    PS:
    For classical, my recommendation is 
    "Concertos #12 & # 20", Rudolf Serkin & Claudio Abbado, Deutch
    Grammofon. (it is DDD *as well*).

    I once heard an audio salesman using a symphony recording
    to sell a set of speakers.  It was really bold, colorful,
    fast and exciting, ie. not laid back.  Does anybody know of
    any symphonies with these same qualities?  I really liked it 
    when I heard it, but since I realy wasn't into classical at the
    time, I don't remember the name.  I also understand that it could
    be one of many recordings, but I think I would like any with the
    same characteristics.
    
    Thanks
    -JC
     

    That's a little *too* general -- do you have *any* idea about
    the period of composition?  I can think of symphonies by Mozart
    and Tchaikovsy (to pick two) that I consider bold, colorful,
    fast (well, some movements are fast, some aren't) and exciting,
    but they're *very* different.
    
    					George

    While I hate to generalize, I would recommend almost anything by
    any of the following groups: The Academy of Ancient Music, The English
    Concert, The English Baroque Soloists, and The Amsterdam Baroque
    Orchestra. These groups have a number of things in common.
    
    First, they are all period instrument groups.
    
    Second, except for their leaders (and to a certain extent the
    Amsterdam group), they draw from the same pool of freelance musicians
    in the Greater London area. A quick look at the credits on the disks
    will give you a fair indication of how much these folks get around.
    A friend of mine plays in all four of these groups, plays in two
    others not listed here, and leads a small group of his own.

    Of the four, The English Concert seems to be the tightest musically.
    They don't seem to have as much fluctuation in the string section
    and of all these groups are the best in live performance. 
    
    In any case here is a brief description of these groups. I find
    it easy to recommend most anything by any of these groups even without
    hearing it.
    
    Academy of Ancient Music - Christopher Hogwood on L'Oiseau-Lyre
    
	These folk play Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and a good representation
    	from the baroque period. Of late, they have been pushing into
    	the classical period with a covering of Beethoven's symphonies
    	(they have the first five out), a number of Haydn symphonies,
    	and a good deal of Mozart (they have 4 of 7(?) volumes out covering
    	Mozart's symphonies).
    
    
    The English Concert - Trevor Pinnock on Archiv
    
    	Where the Academy of Ancient Music has pushed into the classical
    	period, the English Concert has concentrated on the baroque
    	period. To their credit their recordings are wonderful!!!
    
    
    The English Baroque Soloists - John Elliott Gardner on Archive/Erato

     	The third of the big three British Period instrument ensembles,
    	Gardner and friends have put out fine baroque performances and
    	have been working on a series of Mozart Fortepiano concertos
    	with Malcolm Bilson. These folks are not as well known as the
    	English Concert or AAM. I think that this has been remedied by a
    	change in labels. For the most part (I believe) they are recording
    	for Archiv these days who is promoting them a lot more than
    	Erato ever did.
    
    	
    Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra(?) - Ton Koopman on Erato (for the most
    								part)
    
    	Koopman and friends move mostly in the Baroque period and from
    	my point of view are every bit as good as the three English
    	groups. This group draws on the London pool of players but
    	uses a lot of local talent too.
    
    Now that I've shown my bias, let me echo an earlier note. If you
    are close enough, I would recommend that you do business with Rick
    Oakley at Electric Gramophone in Sudbury. As Rick gets to know you
    and your preferences he seems to have a gift in his ability to
    recommend disks to your taste. I am to the point that I'll ask for
    a couple of recommendations and will pleased with what he picks
    for me. I have never been even remotely disappointed!
    
    			Cheers,
    			-Abdul-
    
    
    Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in Electric Gramophone.
    		I am a very satisfied customer who has willingly spent
    		>$4,000 at EG over the past 2 years. (Disks Only)
    
    Disclaimer: It's easy to recommend people you know.
    
    Disclaimer: Baroque == Coke Classic 8-),  Romantic == Pepsi 8-(

    

    RE < Note 1040.7 by VENOM::WATERS "The Legend of the Lakes" >

>   Does anyone have the Paul Winters CD...Common Ground.  I was thinking
>   about getting this one.
    
    I have it and I love it.  Although I haven't heard all of Paul Winter's
    albums, "Common Ground" is my favorite so far.  However, it hardly
    qualifies as classical music....  
							-- Nina

    
    
    Stereo Review/November 87 issue, has a breakdown of composers by
    birthdate/death/musical period & an explaination of the major musical
    styles. I'm sure back issues can be had. Just buy a current issue
    and write to the magazine.
    
    The periods of classical, in order, are:
    
    Renaissance
    Baroque
    Rococo
    Classic
    Romantic
    Late Romantic
    Impressionist
    Modern
    and
    Post Modern
    
    My personal favorite is the phasing of Romantic to Late Romantic
    and includes Tchaikowsky. For a classical neophyte, this breakdown
    makes it very easy to find the period you like best - and gives
    you an idea of which composers fall into that period. Remember,
    like rock & roll, it ain't all gonna appeal to you.
    
    re. one a few back.
    
    To me, the major difference between rock & classical, is that with
    rock, the original is usually the standard by which we judge any
    remakes. This isn't true with classical, since many of the
    composer/artists were long gone by the time recording became reality.
    I think Kunzel & the Cincy Pops are very good, and attempt to keep
    anything they perform in the mode in which the composer intended.
    Stylists like Itzhak Perlman (violin) and Previn (conductor) will
    play the music the way THEY think it should be (tempo & such). As
    for Slatkin (isn't that Felix & not Leonard ??), his conducting
    seems a little poppish for me. But then, I can't judge properly
    since I don't really have any formal musical training. All I know,
    is what I like to hear. Columbia Masterworks and the RCA Redseal
    labels are usually good purveyors of solid classical works, but
    TELARC says alot for the DDD way to play. Labels like Deutsch
    Grammaphon, Musical Heritige Society and such are also labels with
    solid works, but I think throwing out the MCA concept of "greatest
    hits" would be a disservice. They've introduced classical in a
    different way - giving a wide (albeit edited) array of a composers
    works.
    
    		Good hunting !!
    
    			The Cruiser
    
    

    re: .14
    
    Hmmm..  I think that the period was late 18th early 19th century.
    Also, I believe that the most of the Symphony was loud and powerful,
    if that helps.  I don't really need to find the exact recording,
    but maybe suggestions to dimilar types of recordings.
    
    So far suggestions are for Tch...sky and Mozart.  Any particular
    symphonies?
    
    Thanks
    Jeff
    
    P.S. I think I will try the Electric Gramaphone
    

    Re .18:
    
    All right, loud and powerful - now we're getting more towards my
    type of classical music (spoken like a brass player).
    
    One of the most popular "loud" symphonies from the early 19th century
    is Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz.  Perhaps that's what you heard.
    
    In the early 20th-century, two very popular loud/colorful/powerful
    pieces are "Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky and "The Planets" by 
    Gustav Holst.  You'll find lots of versions available of these.  I have
    the Pierre Boulez recording of Rite of Spring, and plan to get the new
    Charles Dutoit recording of The Planets.
    
    I suspect that you would find most Mozart pieces to be in the
    laid-back category, so I would not suggest starting there.
    
    Re the person who really liked Leonard Slatkin's string recording
       with the Barber Adagio:
    
    I've heard this CD and it is quite nice.  If you like this music I
    suspect you would like much of Samuel Barber's music.  There's a CD of
    his violin concerto by Slatkin/St. Louis which is very good.  It comes
    with a performance of Howard Hanson's Symphony No. 2 - a beautiful
    piece, but the performance is not as good as the Barber concerto.
    Still, it's a highly recommendable disc.

    I'm relatively new with classical music.  The exposure that got
    me really involved was listening to certain movie soundtracks which
    contained classical music.  I'd like to thank all the respondants
    to this note for an excellent listing of CD's to look into.  This
    should break my budget for at least a year now. (Gotta get my fix)
    
    I'm just starting my CD library (fledgling at 32 CD's) but it's
    growing rapidly.  My taste in classical is mainly in the smooth,
    flowing Baroque pieces.  I love Pachebel's Canon in D and Barber's
    Adiago for Strings (Platoon, Elephant Man).  One of my favorite
    CD's at the moment is one I found in the soundtrack section.  It
    is call "Movie Classics" and contains many classical pieces from
    movies.
    
          Adiago for Strings - Platoon, Elephant Man
          Canon in D         - Ordinary People 
          Blue Danube        - 2001 Space Odyssey (sp)
    
    It also contains music from Hannah and Her Sisters and many other
    excellent pieces.
    
    At Lechmere (and other stores I'm sure) there is a 'bargain area'
    where classical CD's are around $10.50.  I bought a few Erato brand
    CD's and on the most part they sound excellent.  Actually all do
    except for the one with Pachebel's Canon (contains a little hiss).
    
    Could people list stores were there are compilation disks containing
    all Baroque or Chamber music.  Thanx for all the help.
    
    Don

	Having been  in the same situation as the original author of this
	note I can  sympathize.    Having  grown  up with rock/pop it was
	difficult to walk into  a  record store and buy a classical CD to
	experiment with.  My solution  was to buy a Sampler.  I know many
	noters would not like this because  some of the pieces are out of
	context, but I feel a beginner is  not immediately concerned with
	this, later they can pick up the complete  work  that they took a
	liking to.  Along with this go to a  library and borrow a history
	of music book.  The shelves are full of them.    Try  to  get one
	that does mini biographies of the composers as well as a overview
	of his major pieces.  This tends to work out well since  Samplers
	usually contain the  more popular pieces.  Then you can sit back,
	enjoy the music and  read  about  the composer and the particular
	piece.
	
	In  my  case I initially  picked  up  a  sampler  called  Baroque
	Festival by Archive recordings.  It  a  selection featuring Bach,
	Vivaldi, Pacobelle (SP?) and others.  The  book  I found that was
	very  good  reading was The Enjoyment of Music (Nashua  library).
	This is really a textbook for either a High School  Senior, or an
	intro college course. It is all classical and reads easily.
	
	After that I started taking CD's out of the library (This  may be
	a  luxury  that all readers do not have).  The Nashua library  is
	overflowing with  Classical  CD's  ($40 dollars a year for a card
	for non-Nashua residents -- well worth it).
	
	Enjoy...it only gets better!
	
	Nick

    Seems like a lot of us have been in the same boat, confused about
    what type of 'Classical' to buy on CD.  I bought my first CD player
    in November, and stopped at a music store on the way home with it
    to pick up something to play on it.  I got dizzy going thru all
    the choices of Rock, Jazz, Country and Classical, and asked the
    clerk if they had any 'Samplers' of Classical.  They had 8-10 in
    stock, and the one I chose turned out to be much to my liking (lucky,
    I guess). 
    
    If you can locate this one, I think it's worth a try;
    
    Compact Disc Sampler - Volume one  by CAPRICCIO (W.Germany) D-D-D
    Recording # 10155  74 minutes, 11 seconds.  (22 cuts)
    
    Some of the disc selections:
    
    	Charpentier M.A. 	Te Deum: Prelude
	Pachelbel J.		Canon
    	Bach J.S.		Allegro assai
    	Handel G.F.		Andante Allegro
    	Bach J.S.		Adagio
    	Bach J.S.		Air
    	Bach J.S.		Allegro
    	Bach J.S.		,,Nun seid ihr wohlgerochen``
    	Gabrieli G.		Sonata XVIII
    	Mozart W.A.		The Marriage of Figaro
    	Schubert F.		Heidenroslein
	Mozart W.A.		Das Veilchen
    	Tschaikowsky P.		Dance of the Toy Flutes
    	Liszt F.		Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
    		  and others
    
    I have bought one other Classical Sampler, but did not like it as
    well (Soundscapes Vol one by DELOS)
    
    I'm learning more and more what I like (and especially what I don't
    like) for free by borrowing CD's from three different libraries
    (Acton, Waltham and Newton, Mass). I have library cards at all these
    and other libraries, and none charges a dime for the privelige.
    
    The latest yesterday from the Waltham Library were two discs of
    'nocturnes' which I don't care for at all (too slow and draggy for
    my taste).  They were La Mer Nocturnes - Michael Tilson Thomas and
    The Chopin Collection, The Nocturnes - Arthur Rubinstein.  
    
    I'm having such a good time borrowing from the library, I've only
    two CD's of my own.  
    
    good luck,
    
    Jim
    
    
    
    
    
    
  

>    	Gabrieli G.		Sonata XVIII
>    	Mozart W.A.		The Marriage of Figaro
>    	Schubert F.		Heidenroslein

That's what's  so  great  about  CDs.  An entire opera on a sampler disc! On
vinyl, they would  only have included the overture.

    This has nothing to do with the topic but still seems the best place
    to ask.....
    
    Anyone out there able to tell me what the name of the classical
    music played on the telecasts of the olympics? I do know about the
    olympic fanfare which is not the one. Everytime they are on I hear
    the music and have always liked it but havent been able to get
    a title. I really want this music in my collection.
    While I'm off the subject wouldent it have been nice if they had
    recorded rhapsody in blue(played on 100 pianios) or better still
    to have been there to hear it live.['84 summer games opening]
    
    
    Thanx,jerry
    

    I am fond of classical music for quite a time now. Having
    experience	with buying CD's (and records) I think it is
    a waste to buy samplers. Samplers are a good help to learn
    to appreciate classical music (that is in my view). The best
    way is to borrow samplers from libraries. My experience is,
    that once you appreciate a piece, you want the integral ver-
    sion, thus never using your sampler again.
    Vavorite "loud/powerful" music:
    * Tschaikovsky symphonies 1,2,3 and more subtile: 4,5,6
    * Bruckner symphonies (a bit heavy for a starting classical
                           music lover)
    * Schostakovich symphonies 1,5,8,9,11(very powerful)
    * Berlioz symphonie Fantastic
    
    I hope this (I think first Dutch) reply to this note adds to
    our pleasure and increases  the number of "keen on classics"
    people.
    
    Martin  

    RE. 22
    It's the incredible variety created by the differences in people's
    personalities that makes classical music so intriguing.
    I just had to reply to Jim's note (22) because the two pieces he
    mentioned that he didn't care for are both in my top 5 favorite
    classical discs (numbering about 130).
    
    Both Chopin and Debussy were similar in spirit although in two
    completely different eras.  Ironically, Chopin, creating in the
    midst of the romantic period, hated being called a romantic; and
    Debussy, considered the ultimate impressionist composer, dispised
    being called an impressionist (he preferred the term "symbolist").
    
    Consciously and subconsciously, both composers were involved in
    dramatic changes in musical composition of their eras.
    Part of Chopin's genius lay in the way he took established musical
    forms (the nocturne, polonaise, mazurka) and elevated them to a
    higher and more polished level.  Like Debussy, he didn't care much
    for the music of his contemporaries.  He didn't feel bound to the
    old classic rules and so wrote music with un-heard-of harmonies
    and unresolved chords.  The result was music that you don't listen
    to as much as you feel.  I love Chopin's Nocturnes (especially played
    by Rubinstein) for their beauty, sensitivity, and almost
    impressionistic qualities.
    
    Debussy's work, like Chopin's, was non-programmatic.  Unlike Chopin
    (who was more concerned with form), Debussy tried to extract colors
    from the piano and orchestra.  His music tries to evoke images of
    places and things, kind of like the images that remain from a
    half-awake dream.  To get these colors from instruments, Debussy
    bent the musical rules he learned the Conservatory.  Although his
    music isn't atonal or harmonically dissonant, nothing seems to develop
    or resolve.  The music just sort of surrounds your space and brings
    images to mind that you haven't experienced in years.
    
    Chopin's music gives me chills and sometimes I suddenly realize
    I've been holding my breath through a certain passage.  Debussys'
    suspends everything around me.  Add J.S. Bach's name and you've
    got the three greatest composers for the keyboard in the history
    of music.
    
    Yes, I like rousing romantic and nationalistic music also.  I love
    to listen to Shostakovich's 5th and wildly swing my arms in the
    air, knock over furniture and send my small children running for
    cover.  (for the ultimate in heavy metal orchestra music, get a
    copy of Shostakovich's Symphony #12.  The concluding bombast can
    loosen plaster and kill small animals.  I'm convinced that DS wrote
    that section as a tongue-in-cheek joke on the Russian censors).
    
    If you go back and listen to TROIS NOCTURNES again after while,
    you may be suprised to find the rhythms are a lot faster and more
    vigorous than you first thought.  Nocturne 2 'FETES' features
    some wild brass and violin sections that are as relentless as Holst's
    MARS (although a shorter piece in length).  After listening to
    Tchaikovsky's Symphony #2 for a while, if you find yourself feeling
    and understanding the music rather than hearing it, then you'll
    probably expand your listening to include composers like Chopin
    and Debussy.
    
      Marty
    

  	Going back to .0, and taking you literally. You can get something 
        similar to the "Four Seasons" because they are just the first 4 
        concertos of a group of 12 called "The trial between harmony and 
        invention" (opus 8).
  
  	You can certainly buy these on CD in a version by the English Consort 
        under Trevor Pinnock. They are packaged so that you can get nos. 5-12 
        separately, in case you've already got 1-4. I haven't got them so I 
        can't tell you how good this version is.
  

    Re/ .24:
    
    I think one piece that's been used for the Olympics a lot is Aaron
    Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man."  I think they also used
    a Lionel Ritchie tune ("Reach for the Gold"?) one year.  

        re.28 Thanks for the reply. Fanfare for the common man is indeed
    of of them but not the one I want. Too bad I can't hum a few bars
    8^) I'm sure all would know the music i'm thinking of if not the
    title. NBC,CBS,ABC all have used the music and they play it during
    advertisements,station breaks,ect. 
    Maybe when the games start and memory is refreshed...
    BTW-I do have "Fanfare for the common man"    
    
    -j
                                              
    

    re ~.26
    
    Vivaldi's Opus 8 is indeed nice.  Christopher Hogwood and the Academy
    of Ancient Music also has a version. 
    
    re .28
    
    Could some of the music be from Beethoven Symphony #9?  I spoke
    to someone who insists that some of the music used during the Olympics
    is/was a version of the 9th that uses horns where the chorale usually
    is.  I don't know if this is true, maybe someone else can confirm
    or deny?
    
    D

    re .28	Why NOT hum a few bars ?  or at least give us the first
    few notes of the melody line.  If no one knows it I could look it
    up in a theme dictionary for you.
    
    	Reg
    

    I can't recall the name but you can find it on a Telarc CD titled
    Stars and Stripes.  Its an enjoyable disc particularily if you have
    high school band in your musical past.
    

    
    If it's the one that starts out with kettle drums, then it's the
    one on Stars and Stripes, known as "Olympic Fanfare."
    
    The thing John Williams wrote for the '84 Summer Games in LA is
    also known as "Olympic Fanfare" but it begins with brass.
    
    DFW

    The one with the kettle drums is also known as "The Masterpiece".

    A popular version a few years ago was done by Charles Randolph Grean,
    on an album by the same name.  I have the LP, and I think its out
    of print.
    
    -Brian

    re .31	It should have referred to .29, sorry for the confusion.
    Anyway, just give us the first coupla bars of the melody line and
    we can "have at it".
    
    	Reg
    

    The fanfare on the Telarc disc is one of:
    
    	"Three Fanfares for Brass and Percussion" by Leo Arnuad
    
    The disc is Telarc CD-80099.

    RE: .10
    
    I FORGOT TO MENTION MOVIES AS A SOURCE FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC...
    
    Some one else did, though.  Usually composer credit is given at the end of
    a movie...if you liked the movie, there's no doubt the soundtrack
    strongly contributed to your reaction to the movie.  I have not
    seen PLATOON, but am strongly moved by SAMUEL BARBER'S ADAGIO FOR
    STRINGS used by the movie maker.  My guess is upon seeing the movie,
    the effect would be compounded by already having a strong
    appreciation/reaction to the music.  No doubt it works the other
    way around.  
    
    Don't overlook the movie themes section in the CD/LP store.  Check
    out the jackets for composer/selection names...there are leads there
    to follow up on...
    
    Mike
    

    The one I refer to is the one that starts out with the kettle drums.
    I could hum the bars but translating it into text is tough.
    
    Thanks for the leads I'll check them out this weekend.
    
    -j
    

    Hello there, I put this note in originally, and just wanted to 
    thank everybody for their input so far.  I've bought a sampler
    and I'm going to check out the library next week.
    
    This has really opened up a new area for me, but I've certainly
    got plenty of advice to go by!
    
    Thanks & keep 'em coming if you don't mind....
    
    mark

    
    	re .38	We've managed it in other conferences, lets see, could
    you fill in the staff ?
    
    f	-----------------------------------------------------------------
    e
    d   -----------------------------------------------------------------
    c								  
    b	-----------------------------------------------------------------
    a							
    g	-----------------------------------------------------------------
    f					O
    e	------------------------O----------------------------------------
    d			O
    c		-O-

    	I know, we need the next generation of terminals, right ?  :-)
    Another option might be to drop in at the local music store (the
    piano, guitar, organ, other instruments type) and ask someone to
    tap it out on the piano as you hum it.  *MOST* of the people that
    work in these places can play and have a decent ear, can often give
    you title and composer too.
    
	Reg
    

Re: .13, music to sell speakers by.  One of the best demo CDs I've ever
heard is one that ended up in my collection (*real* quick!):

	Ottorino Respighi	Pini de Roma (The Pines of Rome)
				Fontane de Roma (The Fountains of Rome)
				Feste Romane (Roman Festivals)

There are many versions of this Roman Trilogy, but I'd have to say that the
real standout is the DDD one by Riccardo Muti and The Philadelphia Orches-
tra on Angel/EMI (catalog number CDC 7-47316-2).  For fast and exciting,
with lots of demo-type sounds, the third piece, Feste Romane,is a winner. 
Among other items, it has a goodly amount of deep organ bass at various
moments.  

The whole disc is wonderfully evocative music.  Each of the three pieces is
made up of four sections, and each section has a descriptive title.  Even
if you're not a demo person, you ought to listen to this recording.

- Dick Binder

    I am really bad in recognizing classical pieces.  Most of the times, I
    have trouble placing the music even though I might actually have that
    music somewhere in my collection.  This happens all the times while I
    am listening to radio. 
    
    Lately, Subaru of America has a TV commercial.  The background music
    on that one sounds very familiar.  I suspect it is by Beethoven
    and I must have it but I just can't recognize it.
    
    Similarly, Kentucy Fried Chicken commercial has very popular classical
    music in background.  I wish I would know what it it.
    
    Any help?
    - Vikas

    
    Another random question. Who wrote "Turkish Rondo"? Any CD recordings
    known to the folks here?
    
    Andy

Mozart wrote Turkish Rondo (Rondo a la Turca).  I couldn't find a reference to 
Turkish Rondo in the Green Compact Disc Catalog.  The recording of it that I 
have is on the Dueling Organs CD, Pro-Arte CDD315.  Most of the selections
are played by Lyn Larsen on a large theater organ AND Carlo Curley on a large
electronic organ.  Lyn Larsen plays Turkish Rondo by himself.

	re: Turkish Rondo

	After a quick look at my CD list it looks like the "Turkish
	Rondo" is actually a movement of a piano sonata.  The recording
	listed below is from "Bouquet of Piano Music" and is only the 
	Rondo.

	Looking at the liner notes for the disc the Rondo is the 3rd
	movement of the Sonata (A Major).  I don't have a recording
	of whole Sonata, but there is bound to be one.

	Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus:
		Piano Sonata No. 11, KV 331, Rondo alla turca
			Denon 38C37-7150 (C)

					Alan (normally COOKIE::ROLLOW)

    
    Thanks, guys.
    
    Andy 

    re: .45
    
    	If that reference is to the Mozart piano sonata (KV331), you
    might like to try Mitsuoku Uchida on Philips 412 123-2. It also
    contains KV332. (Personally, I find the pieces very well done.)
        
    Regards,
    Andy Hagel

I'll second the recommendation in -.1, for Mitsuko Uchida on
Philips. I'll infact go further and recommend the whole set
of Mozart sonatas and piano pieces as recorded by her. She
is currently recording the piano concertos with Tate.

For a barrelful of laughs, give a listen to Cleo Lane's vocal 
rendition of "Rondo alla Turca". It's played quite often on 
89.7 FM, and I've heard it at a friend's place before. But 
I'm sorry I can't help you with the album or compilation name.
Maybe you could call Ron de la Chiesa?

Enjoy,
Sudhir

OK.  Here's a strange request:

Does anyone out there know the name of the piece that introduces the PBS 
series "The Frugal Gourmet?"  I am interested in finding this on CD.

						     
							- JP

ps I'm going to try posting this in the COOKS notes file, too.

Its one of the movements in Handels Water Music.  For an OUTSTANDING
performance and recording, pick up the version by Trevor Pinnock
and the English Consort on Archiv.

AAA

    To revisit the question on the olympics theme music I'm now waiting
    for a disk(found via this file thanx) to come in that has been special
    ordered. Any one after watching the games have a new lead as the
    actual title of the music. I hope the SO disk has the music i want
    on it but until it gets here I can only wait.
    
    
    -j
    

    re: .-1 and .36
    
    Is that the disc you ordered?  The first of the "Three Fanfares..."
    is the one commonly used in the Olympics.  Here is a list of what's
    on the disc.  If this isn't the right disc, let me know and I might
    the one you did order.
    
		Arnaud, Leo:
			Three Fanfares for Brass and Percussion

		Barber, Samuel:
			Commando March

		Fucik, Julius:
			Florentiner, Op. 214

		Grainger, Percy:
			Lincolnshire Posy
			Shepherd's Hey

		King, Karl L.:
			Barnum and Bailey's Favorite

		Leemans, Pierre:
			Belgian Paratroopers

		Miles:
			Anchors Aweigh

		Sousa, John Philip:
			The Stars and Stripes Forever

		Strauss, Johann (Vater):
			Radetzky March

		Williams, Ralph Vaughan:
			Folk Song Suite
			Sea Songs

		Zimmerman:
			Anchors Aweigh
    

    I ordered the three fanfares for brass and precussion from independant
    records 'bout two days after .36 was written. Havent heard anything
    from them since BTW-they did say it would take up to 6 weeks.
    
    -j
    

    re: -.1
    
    I too have ordered things in the past through independent.  Don't
    hold your breath.  Even though things may be listed in their catalogues
    I don't believe they exert any effort to make sure your order gets
    through.  I have also been told that special orders could take up
    to 6 weeks only to have forgotten about the order and received a
    phone call up to 6 MONTHS later explaining that they could not get
    the item requested.
    
    Sound Warehouse will not take orders at all.  Period.
    
    The Prelude has taken orders from me.  One CD, an Art Tatum recording
    took 3 months to come in.  Another, Judy Collins' Wildflowers, is
    still on order through them from the same time.  I have since found
    that recording in every other record store in town.
    
    I am more than put out, not so much at independent or the Prelude, as
    I am at the distributors who for some reason unknown to me cannot or
    will not fill orders on a timely basis.  
    
    As an aside, I have special ordered a record through Collectors
    Records on Platte that they did not have readily in stock.  Within
    two days I was contacted that the record had arrived and they would
    hold it until I came in.
    
    Just thought I would mention my experience.
    
    
    =ken

I've had good luck with ordering CDs from LaserLand. It typically takes 10
days, and they call when it comes in. I haven't ordered any classical CDs
from them, though.

    RE:  Frugal Gourmet:
    
    The music is indeed from Handel's "Water Music",  and it is called
    "Bour�e".
    
    -Monty-

    re.54 
    Ken, They called saturday to say it had come in all I have to do
    is go get it. Finding time to pick it up may be the hardest part.
    BTW-it took about a month to get it in not toooo bad.
    
    -j
    

Folks,

   I just found this conference and started with this note. I see 
   that it's a year old, any perhaps few will see my suggestion to 
   those of you who are discovering the beauty of classical music.  

   My advice is simple.  Buy LP's, not CD's.  The reason is very 
   simple:  The advent of CD's have resulted in stores hurrying to 
   unload their inventory of LP's.  The price of classical music LP's 
   is extremely low right now.  I just picked up three wonderful NEW
   recordings for $3.00 each!  They are very high quality, digitally 
   mastered reproductions and sound just great on my turntable.  

   I also buy CD's, but only for music that I know I'm going to play 
   quite a lot (like Wagnerian Opera or the Grateful Dead).  If you
   are not sure if you're gonna like a certain piece or performance, or
   if you're going to listen to it sparingly anyway, then why spend 
   $16.00 when you can get an equally enjoyable recording for only $3.00?

   But you have to hurry!  These sales will not last forever, as the
   stock of LP's is diminishing rapidly.  And don't be afraid to buy
   older recordings that were not digitally recorded.  Any recording
   by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is going to be
   a little poorer in recording technology than today's standards, but
   the *performance* is bound to be superior, and that's where it's
   really at!

   Here in Chicago, we are blessed with one of the original and best
   classical music stations, WFMT-FM.  There is no substitute for a
   really good classical music station to help train your ear and
   assist in your discovery of great music!  And it's even less expensive
   than $3.00 LP's!

   And one more thing.  Neither LP's nor CD's can really capture the
   sound, not to mention the sights, of a live concert.  Knowing this,
   I spent less money on a CD player (BSR from DAK for $125) so that
   I would have more money to spend on live concerts.  Support your
   local musicians and see a live concert this week!  There really is
   no substitute for the real thing.

/Joel Finkel
   
   

    On the other hand, CDs don't pop, crackle and generally make you groan
    in agony over the ruination of a quiet passage.
    
    Live is still best, of course!
    
    Andy

That's true about live concerts--I really miss hearing all those smokers
coughing their lungs out during quiet passages when I listen to studio
recordings.

--PSW

    Yesbut:  encores!

RE: < Note 1040.60 by PSW::WINALSKI "Paul S. Winalski" >

>That's true about live concerts--I really miss hearing all those smokers
>coughing their lungs out during quiet passages when I listen to studio
>recordings.

   :-)

   But...What John Cage says about this has always seemed helpful, viz.,
   that the music is not created in a vacuum; it is created and performed
   within an entire context, a gestalt.  The performance setting comes
   complete with human beings, who sometimes cough.  I understand your
   point, however.  It's amazing to see an opera in which someone is
   dying of consumption; the cough level in the audience always rises
   dramatically; so much so that you sometimes are distracted from the
   performance.

   Pops and an occasional scratch I can put up with pretty easily, though,
   when we're talking about $4.00 compared to $18.00!

/Joel

    
    And buying LPs pre-supposes that one owns a turntable -- which I
    do not.
    
    DFW

    $18 seems very expensive. I've NEVER paid that much in th US for a
    single CD.

RE: < Note 1040.64 by LESLIE::LESLIE "Andy ��� Leslie, CSSE/VMS" >

>
>    $18 seems very expensive. I've NEVER paid that much in th US for a
>    single CD.

Andy,
   
   Here in Chicago, the tax adds up pretty fast! :-)

   Listen, I'm certainly not suggesting that people not buy CD's.
   They're great stuff!  I seldom buy operas on plastic anymore,
   except for those which are going to be a long time coming out
   on CD (eg., Janacek's "Katia Kabanova").  But you'll agree, I'm
   sure, that it's the PERFORMANCE that really matters, and that
   many tremendous performances are to be found only on plastic.

/Joel

Anyone who enjoys operas should look into Video discs.

	o LV disc prices are sometimes less than the equivalent CD.
	  Most operas LIST for $50-60, but I have bought many for 
	  $10 to $20.

	o All modern LV discs --and quite a few older ones-- have 
	  digital sound.

	o LV disc players cost in the same range as high end CD
	  players. One can pick up a GOOD used LV disc player for
	  about $350. Older machines can be had for $150-200. 

BTW, **WATCHING** an opera is a lot more fun than just listening to
it. And, of course, this opens up access to ballet, musical shows,
concerts and (last but not least) movies. 

-- Ron