What classical composer is your favourite and why?
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What classical composer is your favourite and why?
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I sometimes read a book and listen to music at the same time and ever after when I listen to the music I remember the book and visa versa. A few years ago I read Anthony Beevor's book Stalingrad (in F
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Forums » Open clinical » General clinical » What classical composer is your favourite and why?
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Re: What classical composer is your favourite and why?
posted at 17/1/2012 8:48 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2075
First: 10/3/2009 Last: 18/5/2012 |
I have some lovely Bach CDs by German musicians and hold German music in the highest esteem. It eclipses English music in my opinion. As for meatballs and gravy, I have heard some renditions of Bach which sound more like a Singer sewing machine. DGG is an excellent recording company; amongst the best. Each nation has its great musicians; even antipodean ones. I agreee. Bach is an ocean; unfathomable, vast, never conquered.
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Re: What classical composer is your favourite and why?
posted at 17/1/2012 9:04 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 1324
First: 7/3/2009 Last: 19/5/2012 |
I also prefer Bach played with soul rather than some dry versions of the ultra period ensembles (some will be mad at me but I don't mind...). Bach had a great human soul. Remember he lived in times when certain instruments hadn't been invented yet and other had limited capability. Had he lived in a period when more modern instruments became available I am convinced he would gladly use them. So, the dry "period" instrument interpretations and the "white" sounding voices just don't do it for me. I prefer musical liberalism to rigorous conservative "revering" interpretations of Bach. |
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Re: What classical composer is your favourite and why?
posted at 17/1/2012 9:13 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2075
First: 10/3/2009 Last: 18/5/2012 |
I agree, Yoram. You tell her;). I prefer Mozart chocolates to German meat balls; Bach with bubbles than Bach with flat beer. That is why I think Glenn Gould (Canadian) was the first to blow the dust off Bach and send him into orbit. It is lovely to see there are musicians on this site. I am an "ordinary" player of the piano but still love it, particularly Bach. I don't envy you greater musicians; just admire you. It is a wonderful gift. PS I see a young patient who comes from Leipzig. We always talk about Bach and the Thomaskirche. Bach also gave a recital in the Frauenkirche in Dresden which was rebuilt after the terrible vengeful bombing on those two days and nights starting 13 Feb1945. It was rebuilt with some help from former RAF personel (?USAAF too?). My aunt as a young child with an Australian (British) passport watched the bombing from across the river as she and her mother were living in Nickern as they had been visiting grandparents at the outbreak of the war. her village was hit too and the old lady next door was found dead with the dachshund the next morning. My aunt's name name is Lilian (she was always called Lily in Germany) and we called our daughter, Lily. She and her mother were repatriated home when the Russians came. The story is in Chapter 27 of my book, Ballina Boy (www.ballinaboy.com). We are all connected. Ironically, Lilian married my uncle after the war and lived on a wheat property on the Darling Downs, west of Brisbane. The land had been bought by my German great grandfather who came here in the 19th century. See, we are all connected. In circulo circulorum. Bach is just part of my atavistic memory. Lilian's folks were Saxon and her mother had been an opera singer before the war. Lilian's dog is a dachshund...memories..
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Re: What classical composer is your favourite and why?
posted at 23/1/2012 3:22 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 72
First: 25/5/2011 Last: 21/5/2012 |
For me, music induces emotion and rouses thought and imagery. I too love Bach and am also lost in wonder at the symmetry and grace of his work, most of which I think was intended for perfomance in a church. But for wordly passions, profound observations on life and to feel the full force of what classical instruments can achieve in an orchestra, Ludwig van Beethoven is the composer who has summoned the most power, contrast and interesting colours in his music for me. Sadly in my view, he is so well known that familiarity with his work has bred contempt and incredibly a master work like the fifth symphony has become a cliche amongst the "cognoscenti". For me he was the John Williams of his day, except in his lifetime film had not yet been invented, yet he provided his own images within his music. His middle and late orchestration is the flawless standard by which others should be judged in my opinion. It does not sound dated or experimental and no apology need be made for the era in which it was written; it just works. Join me now gazing through the window of my dark clifftop house, lit only by the glow of firelight, a glass of heavy red wine in hand on the night of a terrible storm in winter. As the lightning flashes, the wild sea churns far below and the full force of nature's anger takes her revenge on puny mankind, lashing cold whips of rain against the rattling casement. Chilled and fearful with the scent of woodsmoke in the air, it should be clear that there is but one man who can summon the soul of an orchestra to stand to and defy this challenge. Cower in a church if you must, but to fully experience the passions of life one must have Beethoven. |
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Re: What classical composer is your favourite and why?
posted at 23/1/2012 4:06 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 851
First: 12/3/2010 Last: 20/5/2012 |
Bach? A litle dry and analytical? You have to work hard at Bach. But, ah! Mozart! He can bring you happiness or calm, solace or inspiration, from any mood you are in. Give me Mozart for my single Desert Island Disc. John |
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Re: What classical composer is your favourite and why?
posted at 23/1/2012 9:01 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 2075
First: 10/3/2009 Last: 18/5/2012 |
I could die from Mahler. Mozart is a musical milk shake. Bach to me, steak and eggs. I think our personalities dictate our musical preferences but I may be wrong. I like Leonard Cohen too as he is a poet.
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Re: What classical composer is your favourite and why?
posted at 24/1/2012 11:25 AM GMT
on bmj.com
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Posts: 851
First: 12/3/2010 Last: 20/5/2012 |
Oh, Yes! Cohen! If your a fan, his new album is available to listen to on the Guardian website. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2012/jan/23/leonard-cohen-old-ideas-stream?newsfeed=true I'm not a fan, my wife is, and I can hear what she likes about him. Just been listening to Bert Jansch. Another poet. His original, eponymous 1965 album was re-released after his death last year, and made me get it , again. Gosh, I remember trying, trying to play Angie! And failing. Maybe only for folkies. John |
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Re: What classical composer is your favourite and why?
posted at 26/1/2012 3:44 PM GMT
on bmj.com
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*Moderator*
Posts: 597
First: 17/11/2008 Last: 18/5/2012 |
My daughter's violin teacher is a Bach fanatic- poor students have to learn pages by heart. She has made me appreciate him when I did think him dry. I loved Odysseus's summary of the composers- so beautifully done and Adrian's post was music in words. I was brought up by parents who loved Beethoven, Verdi and Chopin. So I listened to Radio Luxembourg under my bedclothes at night and waited until I was a parent myself to start appreciating them for myself. |
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