Classical Music

» Sarah Canice Funke - Content Suggestions

As the Classical Music writer at Suite101.com, I am trying to make the music articles both interesting and informative. However, that means I need your help! What do you want to hear about? Western Art music spans such a breadth of history and involves such a variety of topics that I need recommendations for the kind of articles you want to read. Do you have a favorite composer? Do you want to hear about Palestrina, Bach, Mozart, Schumann, or Stravinsky? Is there a particular time period that you would enjoy getting an overview of (Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary)? Would you rather read biographies or get into the idiosyncrasies of a particular composer's music? Or do album reviews provide more helpful direction in tracking down good stuff for listening? Do you prefer instrumental music or do a song cycle and a cantata suit your tastes better? Would you like to hear how cultural, social, and technological changes influenced the way music was composed? Maybe you would like to hear how Western Art music shows up in film, television, and literature. Now is your chance to influence future content on this site, so please voice your opinion!

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» jkepler - Content Suggestions

In response to Content Suggestions posted by scfunke:

Could you compare Bach and Schoenberg, or discuss Prokofiev and Shostakovich relation to the communist goverment in the Soviet Union?

Could you give an overview of contemporary classical composers today, such as Arvo Part, Giesehler Klebe, and others? To what extent are composers today being influenced by popular and rock music (in the past folk music had influence in classical music)? How has film changed how composers compose? Is minimalism still alive and kicking? It seems that rhythm drives rock, sometimes with very simple chord progressions, or very few chords, and rhythm drives much minimalist music.

What about classical music and musical stylistic pluralism? Does classical have worldwide appeal--it seems you can find symphonies in every major city around the world.

Finally, could you look at Bach and the pursuit of excellence and faithfulness in plying one's musical craft, week in and week out? He didn't seek fame, but simply did his job really well, SDG, and is now considered one of the greatest composers ever (thanks, Mendelssohn!).

Thanks funke,

Joel

-- posted by jkepler

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» Sarah Canice Funke - Content Suggestions

In response to Content Suggestions posted by jkepler:

These diverse suggestions will keep me busy for a while. Thanks very much, Joel.

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» SourDuck01 - Content Suggestions

In response to Content Suggestions posted by scfunke:

A friend mentioned classical minimalism (or something like that, perhaps it was "minimalist classical music") -- I'd like to know what that is and what you recommend within that stylistic category.

My second suggestion is: I'm starting to explore classical music through my local public library. If I do decide to buy a CD, what should I look for in a recording? Is it best to stick by the big name orchestras, or is the director more important...?

I'm relatively new so you may have already addressed these topics - apologies if you have.

Best,

Melinda

-- posted by SourDuck01

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» Sarah Canice Funke - Content suggestions

Melinda, I would recommend reading the article entitled Intro to Minimalism as well as the album reviews of Passages and Variations and Shaker Loops. The three composers I would recommend for an introduction to minimalist music would be Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and John Adams. Not only do they experiment with the cyclical repetiveness of minimalism, but their compositions are also aesthetically pleasing (very beautiful and enjoyable).

For an introduction to finding a recording, please see The Right Recording. My personal favorite conductor is Karajan. Try to find works done by major orchestras (The Vienna Philharmonic, the London Symphony, the Berlin Philharmonic, the New York Symphony).

Hope this helps.

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» SourDuck01 - Content suggestions

In response to Content suggestions posted by scfunke:

Oh terrific! Thanks for the links, very helpful.

Cheers,

Melinda

-- posted by SourDuck01

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