The Music Thread

[MarcusAurelio]

In the Light is quite marvellous. I recommend listening to Floyd because they are the most grandiose ensemble in rock history, all of their works are absolute works of art, albeit it's a bit niche in the sense you have to like psychedelic and prog to like them I'd say..

[nick_op]

Originally posted by MarcusAurelio
Any Classical fans on these forums?

Most certainly. I saw Mozart's 20th and 24th piano concerti performed a few days ago (the 24th with a very impressive cadenza written by Brahms, though I do wish performers would start improvising their cadenzas. This was the point of the cadenza, was it not?).

Rachmaninoff is probably my favourite composer - the sheer grandiosity of some his compositions is something to behold! Chopin is a close second, though I could list many more composers that I think are brilliant.

I'm also a fan of Arnold Schoenberg's teaching and ideas. I've been working my way through his "Theory of Harmony", doing so has revealed to me the story telling properties of instrumental music, which is something I didn't understand very well previously. He also uses logic and reasoning to refute useless restrictions and traditions that have endured for far too long without serving a purpose.

As a musician, I can't understand other musicians that disregard classical music. Why ignore centuries of inspiration?

[morcroft]

My usual brand of beer had a promotion recently where the labels each had a 99p voucher code for music downloads. I now have my entire Doors collection on mp3 where its useful instead of stuck in on a shelf on vinyl. Plus the odd few Ian Dury tracks. Most of the Pink Floyd downloads are over the price limit - and anyway, you really need the album for everything from Dark Side on.

Now, what to do with the next 50 labels...what to do? :cheers:

[MarcusAurelio]

Good point Nick, and I am good to hear I'm not the only one here! I haven't really seen much classical concerts (come to think of it, I don't think I've seen any, but I do have a ticket for Parsifal next year!)

[nick_op]

Ah, Wagner. Parsifal should be an interesting show, hope you enjoy it! I watched his "Die Meistersinger" on the BBC proms this year, but opera is a form of classical music that I don't get on well with. Too many people all singing in the same register, and never straying outside of that vocal range - it can be hard to tell which person is playing which character if they're dressed similarly. Wagner was very important in the development of classical harmony, amongst other things, though, obviously very clever.

I noticed earlier in the thread you mentioned you're a jazz fan. I've been teaching myself jazz piano recently, Bill Evans is a favourite of mine. Since there's so much to choose from in jazz, might you suggest few names or albums for me to check out? Doesn't have to be limited to piano.

[MarcusAurelio]

Well, essentiall jazz pianists to hear are among others, Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, Evans you've already mentioned, I'm fond of Ahmad Jamal, also McCoy Tyner, Duke Ellington, Bobby Timmons perhaps aswell. Essential jazz artists you ought to check out: Obviously the first name to drop here is Miles Davis, my all-time favourite musician, but also Charles Mingus, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, John Coltrane. I recommend you check their discographies at allmusic.com to look up where to start and so on, that page has served me very well upon my travels in the music sphere.

Also, there's this page which has magnificent music lists, with the exception of hip-hop, which is rather dire over there:

http://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/music0.html

[nick_op]

Thanks for the suggestions, and the websites, both very useful.

[MarcusAurelio]

No probs man!