Hi there.

I joined this forum because people with whom I can discuss about classical music is sadly lacking in real life. I'm currently 18, a senior in high school. I sing and play the clarinet. I've been listening to classical music for about one and a half year.

-A few interesting facts about me-

What led me to dig classical is the epiphany from Beethoven's 9th symphony performed by Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic.

The oldest I'd go is probably Bach, and the most "modern" I'd go is probably Shostakovich.

My most played "song" according to my iTunes is the finale of Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony by Abbado/LSO, followed by the finale of Beethoven's 7th Symphony by Karajan 70s and Harnoncourt/COE.

I dislike Operas, especially Puccini. Not a huge fan of Impressionism either.

Currently discovering Bruckner.

Yeah.

Hi There Im 15 and know what you mean!

How can you dislike opera ?! Youre name told me you liked Wagner but I guess im wrong...

Bach is also probably my oldest composer that I seriously enjoy, but I can go more contemporary than Shostakovich, even though I love him.

Maybe he likes the old tv series "All Creatures Great and Small."

15 and 18. Whew! I'm so glad I survived that age. You get almost no respect whatsoever, at least in my part of the world at that time you didn't. I really hated it, and you know it was totally uncalled for.

Now I'm in my early 50's, and I appreciate really bizarre rock, post rock, and electronica musicians as well as the classical I started enjoying when I was 12. The age groups seem to be converging. At least I hope so.

I have not heard the Bernstein Beethoven's 9th, oddly enough. I've been looking for my definitve version and the three or so that I have in my collection aren't quite it. Maybe I should give the Bernstein a try.

Bernstein's version gives out the most dramatic singing in the finale, to a cosomological effect, if I may say so. If you've tried his Mozart Requiem, you are getting the idea. Bernstein's is still my favourite, along with Fricsay's (best 3rd movement, and decent finale), Karajan's 60s/80s (most incisive reading of the first two movements), and Gardiner's (pure fun ).

I don't know... lol I find the excessive dramaticism in, say, Tosca or La Boheme slightly repulsive... I listen to Die Fledermaus, The Magic Flute, and Carmen every once in a while. I'm thinking the problem might be I. lack of visuals II. Language barrier. Keen on getting a Wagner dvd atm, though. (I liked Wagner's Overture collections... ) I enjoy reading the Völsungsaga (from which Wagner got his inspiration), and that's where my name comes from.

Bernstein? Fricsay? Völsungsaga, Crikey, you're an expert already! I thought you came here to learn. You seem know far more than is good for any 18 year old. We'll have to see if we can de-learn you a bit.

Your tastes will change over time, we all have certain composers that we have trouble with even after a lifetime of listening, at the moment you are on safe ground.

hi!
a hint, don't listen to opera the way you listen to symphonies. that's like running a tricycle in the indie 500...of course you lose.

dj