Thread: Hey guys

Introducing myself, I'm Andy from the UK, will be 32 next month. Well .. as far as classical music goes, I'm getting a little more broad in my taste .. finally got into Beethoven and Bach, still don't like Mozart much. There's a number of composers I do like, at the moment I'm really into Poulenc (very underrated). Ravel and Gershwin are probably my two other favourite composers.

The nearest well known orchestra to me is the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, have been to see them a few times, but I will soon be moving to the north of England so I think there is an orchestra in Leeds that will be quite near me.

I also play the saxophone. Unfortunately it's quite difficult to play along to classical music on the sax. I like a variety of pop music aswell, jazz is ok, not keen on country or folk music.

Also like football and travelling/visiting places. I look forward to seeing more of this forum.

cheers!

Welcome. Care to reveal your favorites from Beethoven and Bach? It's a little strange you don't like Mozart... Afterall, Beethoven, Bach and Mozart are somewhat like the triumvirate of all classical music composers.

What pieces did you hear from Mozart that you didn't like?

To be honest it's only like in the last month or two that I've got into Bach and Beethoven. I like Beethoven's piano music a lot, "Moonlight" and "Pathetique" are nice. I'm not sure I have a favourite piece of music by Bach, I like some of his choral music tho.

I just find Mozart's music, or some of it, to annoy me, couldn't give you the names of the bits I don't like. I like Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and probably some of his other stuff I don't mind, but yes I am one of the few classical music lovers who doesn't own a single Mozart CD.

Until recently I was mainly into 20th century stuff (although not avant garde) or late 19th century. I like to try and listen to composers who perhaps aren't so well known.

Well, my advice is not to give up on Mozart until you've heard a good portion of his music. The Mass in C minor, his two piano Fantasias, Don Giovanni (especially the overture), the last three symphonies, the Piano Concerto No. 23, The Requiem, the Rondo in D, the Serenade K.239, and some of the piano sonatas are all exemplary in illustrating Mozart's seriousness and amazing abilities.

You're a pretty extraordinary example of someone who can jump right into the 20th century stuff, though. Most people start with Bach and move up chronologically until they're ready for the dissonant/atonal 20th century.

If you want another Beethoven sonata to try, I recommend the "Tempest" or "Les Adieux" sonata.

What about Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms... have you heard or like anything from them?

Originally Posted by Hexameron

What about Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms... have you heard or like anything from them?

Schubert - again, another composer I have recently got into. Got some of his piano music.

Mendelssohn - like his Violin Concerto, Midsummer Night's Dream and Italian Symphony, but atm only own the first of these works.

Schumann - his piano concerto is not bad, but haven't really listened to much of him.

Chopin - yeah like some of his music, Waltz in Eb is my favourite.

Liszt - got some of his symphonic poems recently. Not bad.

Brahms - I don't mind Brahms but think he is a bit overrated.

Greetings riverbank, I share your views, Poulenc is intriguing, Beethoven is the master, But Mozart??, very pretty but does not rate with me, at the risk of offending some, he is good elevator music, that said I do find some of his music enjoyable, which Sax do you play, Jazz is the music for the Sax, at its best in the late 50s-60s.

The Mass in C minor, his two piano Fantasias, Don Giovanni (especially the overture), the last three symphonies, the Piano Concerto No. 23, The Requiem, the Rondo in D, the Serenade K.239

Have you heard these, Andante? If this is elevator music, maybe I should consider a career as an elevator operator.

Originally Posted by Andante

Greetings riverbank, I share your views, Poulenc is intriguing, Beethoven is the master, But Mozart??, very pretty but does not rate with me, at the risk of offending some, he is good elevator music, that said I do find some of his music enjoyable, which Sax do you play, Jazz is the music for the Sax, at its best in the late 50s-60s.

I play the alto sax. I used to play in church, but now I don't go to church anymore so at the moment I just play along to mostly pop music, don't own much jazz. Anyways, speak later, I need to have breakfast and get ready for work.

Originally Posted by Hexameron

Have you heard these, Andante? If this is elevator music, maybe I should consider a career as an elevator operator.

I knew I would get a bite, sure some is ok , prefer serenade k250 to k239 I actually have more Mozart Cds than any other composer but my preferences have changed over the years, You rate him I don’t, easy as that, we all have different tastes.

You're right, Andante: we all have different tastes. I'm pleased to know you've heard the works I mentioned. However, I'm perplexed as to how you don't "rate him." Which pieces convince you he is lackluster or not worth rating? Is he mediocre, bland, boring, untalented, weak? If your collection of Mozart is indeed large, I just find it a tad askew that you haven't acquired a permanent adoration of his music. I don't mean to pry, but I'm curious.

Hi Hexameron, I do not have a large CD collection, approx 1000, I just have more Mozart than the others. I used to think very highly of him but as you know our tastes change as we get older, however I had a Mozart evening just to see if my tastes had changed again LOL.
The Giovanni overture I found uninteresting and no match for any of Beethoven’s, especially Leonore 3, The St Qts which I know reasonable well do not even begin to compare to Beethoven’s or some other composers.
I listened to the Jupiter, ECO. TATE. and yes this is getting there, the 2nd mov had a depth which I require for serious listening, I did and do enjoy this Sym. I will not comment on his operas as I am not an opera lover.
His sacred music is of course excellent but then most composers produced top music in this genre. His concertos, sonatas, chamber in general all very pleasant, but for me, not in the premier league, he was very prolific but quality beats quantity any day, We must bear in mind that music and musical taste has moved on, and for me at least he remains a composer at the front in his day. I do not mean to upset Mozart lovers.

Originally Posted by Andante

Hi Hexameron, I do not have a large CD collection, approx 1000

lol!! i've only got 130 odd CDs (with about 80 being classical). To me 1000 is very large!