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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by sigismund on November 24, 2013, at 22:39:58
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect', posted by baseball55 on November 17, 2013, at 20:30:15
What were the ages of their deaths. Mozart 33? Keats 26? Schubert 31? (That was a guess) Purcell 26? (Another guess)
We could learn something from them in their acceptance. (Another guess as to how easily Purcell anyway accepted it.)
Posted by baseball55 on November 25, 2013, at 18:40:10
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » baseball55, posted by sigismund on November 24, 2013, at 22:39:58
> What were the ages of their deaths. Mozart 33? Keats 26? Schubert 31? (That was a guess) Purcell 26? (Another guess)
>
> We could learn something from them in their acceptance. (Another guess as to how easily Purcell anyway accepted it.)I think Mozart was 35. I just heard on the radio that Chopin wrote his second piano concerto (in my opinion, one of the best ever written) at the age of 19.
Did Schubert die that young? Didn't know that. I'll look it up. I know Schumann suffered from severe bipolar and spent years of his life in asylums.
Why is it that so many of the very greatest classical composers were German or Austrian? I mean, think about it -- Bach, Mozart, Hayden, Handel, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Wagner, Mahler -- on and on.
Posted by Twinleaf on November 25, 2013, at 20:25:04
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » sigismund, posted by baseball55 on November 25, 2013, at 18:40:10
Sadly, both Schubert and Shumann most likely died of tertiary syphilis.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 11:56:30
In reply to classical music, posted by alexandra_k on November 15, 2013, at 16:33:52
> anybody into it?
>
> i've realized that i'm loving electronic music because i'm finding it mentally stimulating so it wakes me up but not attention grabbing (i think mostly in virtue of lack of lyrics) so i'm able to focus on reading / writing while gaining the benefits of mental alertness.
>
> but alertness / wakefulness is what i'm going for. maybe playfulness. not sleepiness. not too boomy / dramatic / attention capturing. does this make sense?
>
> any recommendations?
>
>Very difficult to recommend because taste is so varied. I especially like these:
A bit of Vivaldi (with score), eg. RV242 (a very stimulating one!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPxkUlp3rs4
GF. Handel. Opus 6, Concerti Grossi. I think they were published around 1740. Very well known gems of the Baroque era. Something for all moods.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqksy-991sI
TG. Albinoni. Opus. 10, concerti a cinque (much less well known than the Handel). Well worth getting to know if you enjoy this style of music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J4mWbpzZvs
...the first concerto is not the most unique of the set. I suggest the one at 59:20 mins as a good example, but there are many.
Something spiritual? I suggest the Stabat Mater by Vivaldi. Here's a little clip of the song, which was used in the film The Talented Mr. Ripley.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDZ83_ABa4Q
Or maybe Giorgio Allegri's pure and sublime Miserere mei, Deus 'Have Mercy on me, O God'. This recording is amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKj1iK2WKS8
And now to England. One of the greatest works of 17th century music, Henry Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas. A very mournful song from the opera 'When I am laid in Earth' which could be a trigger for some. But it is exquisite. This sample including the introductory recitative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGQq3HcOB0Y
Oh I just found this. Cory Hall (Florida pianist) playing a JS. Bach transcription of one of Vivaldi's Op. 3 concertos for YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y87FWH5dBNo
If anyone likes Domenico Scarlatti's highly unique Spanish influenced Baroque keyboard music, here is a great little example... (played here on a highly expensive looking electric piano). Not sure exactly when this piece was written, maybe about 1740.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWqwOFCwl68
Or for relaxation, maybe Christoph Gluck's Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orfeo ed Euridice (Vienna, 1762).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nFqbJgGkyc
Moving a few hundred years forward to 1936 and across to America, how about Samual Barber's devine Adagio for Strings from Opus 11? Either the original string quartet or the lush orchestrated version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV3SHBFyDZM
Anyone who's now feeling totally Classicaled out should finish off with a bit of pure and cheesy dance pop. Perhaps the Scissor Sisters...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsPOI0YxA3E
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 12:07:06
In reply to Re: classical music YES, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 11:56:30
Oh and how could I forget the Brandenburgs. This is a great one...
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 12:23:16
In reply to 'mozart effect' » baseball55, posted by johnLA on November 16, 2013, at 23:34:55
>have you ever been to a mozart opera? it's quite sublime. even for the most cynical classical taste, i feel.
I've been to six I think. Mozart's operas were a lot more dramatically entertaining that earlier operas. I like earlier music, but the recitative-aria-recitative-aria blah blah is not very entertaining after 2 hours. The best Mozart I ever saw was a brilliant performance of the Magic Flute, with only a piano and a few instrumentalists. The singers were amazing, the comedy was actually funny (as opposed to lame, which can easily happen with less skillful singers/performers). It was all very intimate in such a small hall. Far better than the sort of place where you need binoculars.
I also remember a great outdoor performance of the Marriage of Figaro (fortunately it was a nice sunny evening, even by English standards).
I tire of music very quickly if I'm feeling anxious or down. You do have to be in the right frame of mind to start with, and then music can enhance it. On the other hand, I do remember hearing some Bach recently on a particularly bad day, and it did touch me.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 12:53:53
In reply to cuz i can't stop... » alexandra_k, posted by johnLA on November 17, 2013, at 17:15:35
>1680's german baroque meets 1990's west coast hip-hop.
Cool thanks, and I love Pachelbel's canon! Don't know much other Pachelbel. I think he mainly wrote for the church organ, which I don't much enjoy.
My favourite Coolio is this one. Great song IMO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oU_F0yS-Bo
I only recently realised it's based on a Stevie Wonder song. Must admit I prefer the Coolio version though.
I tend to prefer originals but sometimes I'm unsure. Take Handel's very popular Ombra mai Fu from Serse/Xerxes or whatever it's called. I chose this performance because Andreas Scholl is so good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsbYGdCQsgk
Anyway, Handel's Ombra mai Fu was based on the 'same' piece by Giovanni Bononcini.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja4t5ymEYkk
And Bononcini's version was based on the 'same' piece by Francesco Cavalli.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a1IIMBq7Lg
Which do you prefer?
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 13:00:05
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » sigismund, posted by johnLA on November 17, 2013, at 17:40:47
>still, i believe opera works best live.
Oh it does. I like listening to arias in isolation but I could never sit at home and listen to an entire opera on a CD. I'd get bored. It would end up on in the background like an episode of Holby City. My attention span gets worse and worse.
My experience at the Royal Opera House (London) wasn't the best. I can't see very far at the best of times and the place is much too big. Smaller performances can be so much better.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 13:05:14
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » baseball55, posted by sigismund on November 24, 2013, at 22:39:58
Hi Sigi,
>Purcell 26? (Another guess)
Purcell wasn't old when he died, but he lived longer than that. I suspect you're thinking of Pergolesi, who did die at 26. Still, he managed to write some impressive stuff in his short life. I like this one.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 13:47:50
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect', posted by alexandra_k on November 17, 2013, at 20:25:28
> Thanks for the suggestions! I am working my way through them.
>
> Im having some trouble replying to individual's posts...I'm sure no one will expect it - but for sure you have plenty to go at! :)
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 14:31:40
In reply to Re: classical music, posted by johnLA on November 17, 2013, at 0:07:41
> here is some mozart junk. (lol);
>
> http://youtu.be/1m-P9opKei0The flute and harp. I love it! It made me think of another concerto I like with harp:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8vMHTvdoEQ
Except at bedtime. I think it's best to follow something relaxing with something more energising. I love this one, esp. the 3rd mvmt at 4:39, it's less than 2 mins so everyone should listen to this bit!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIWXjxwYxyQ
Posted by sigismund on November 26, 2013, at 15:33:08
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » sigismund, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 13:05:14
Purcell fathered 6 children, I read on wiki, which wasn't bad going for a man who lived only to 36.
Schubert seems to have been 31 when he died.
I get Pergolesi mixed up with that harpsichord person from Italy. Who was he Eddy? You once put up a link to him. My mind is going. Will that make things better?
Posted by sigismund on November 26, 2013, at 15:34:37
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » ed_uk2010, posted by sigismund on November 26, 2013, at 15:33:08
Ah, Scarlatti.
Thanks Eddy. I will listen to your links with interest.
Posted by sigismund on November 26, 2013, at 15:36:42
In reply to Re: classical music, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 14:31:40
The flute and harp concerto was the first Mozart piece I listened to obsessively. I didn't come out of the drawing room.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 16:35:26
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » sigismund, posted by sigismund on November 26, 2013, at 15:34:37
> Ah, Scarlatti.
>
> Thanks Eddy. I will listen to your links with interest.Domenico Scarlatti's sonatas tend to be difficult. Here is a particularly good example of virtuosic Scarlatti (this time on the grand piano)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjghYFgt8Zk
She plays faster than I can think.
I must admit I think the harpsichord brings out the Spanish 'guitar' influences in Scarlatti's music better than the piano, and is of course more authentic. Some of his pieces really suit the piano though.
This is a lovely version of Sonata K1. I'm very fond of this piece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrrCDsxI5eQ
Domenico's father Alessandro Scarlatti was mainly an opera composer. Here is one of his songs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aheJ-McFak
Singer: Philippe Jarousky - countertenor/male soprano.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 17:20:43
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect', posted by baseball55 on November 17, 2013, at 20:30:15
>One of my very favorite all time movies is Amadeus.
It's a good film, but poor Salieri must have turned in his grave. He was actually quite a good composer! Most composers were/are less skilled than Mozart but that's not to say they're bad.
A nice bit of Antonio Salieri:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_5Dr8Bz5Bc
Some of the other lesser known Classical era composers I like are J.Quantz, CPE Bach and Luigi Boccherini.
Quantz most famous, and extremely charming flute concerto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWBEmI-xf10
Boccherini's Fandango: (here transcribed for 2 harpsichords, there are many wonderful versions of this piece)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERtZD2JPey4
And then CPE Bach, a then popular Classical composer and one of JS Bach's 500 children ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64moJzfeUR0
And for bedtime. Not Classical, but Baroque. Arcangelo Corelli's sublime Op. 6, No. 4. Unsurpassed beauty.
Posted by alexandra_k on November 26, 2013, at 19:00:22
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » baseball55, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 17:20:43
thanks a lot for the suggestions!
"amadeus" was one of my favorite plays from high school.
Posted by sigismund on November 26, 2013, at 22:40:00
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » baseball55, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 17:20:43
I'm very fond of Bocherini. Is there some of that fatal feeling one has with Schubert? That night thing in Madrid? It's like Keats 'My heart aches and a drowsy numbness something something' but no bloody opiate these days. Is it nostalgia? What the f*ck is nostalgia, against which we are so often warned?
Do you like Schubert's last piano sonata? D960 or something? Magic for me.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 27, 2013, at 5:19:21
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect', posted by sigismund on November 26, 2013, at 22:40:00
>I'm very fond of Boccherini. Is there some of that fatal feeling one has with Schubert? That night thing in Madrid?
This one? La musica notturna delle strade di Madrid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0f-rQV--jU
Very unusual beginning for a piece from ~1780!
My favourite for today is still this piece though, except the slightly over-elaborate 30 second introduction. I think the performers, although brilliant, have added a bit too much ornamentation. It's like adding a unnecessary broach to an already beautiful dress.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0rdZo7gYQ8
Posted by sigismund on November 28, 2013, at 18:28:09
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » sigismund, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 27, 2013, at 5:19:21
Yeah, I'm not sure about the Bocherini, what it was, maybe something else.
The Corelli is amazing and lovely.
What is that many stringed instrument?
Posted by baseball55 on November 28, 2013, at 19:11:34
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » baseball55, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 26, 2013, at 17:20:43
Oh Wow. That Corelli video makes me weep. I can't seem to copy and paste urls, don't know why. Whey I was maybe five years old, my parents watched Heifetz and a student play Bach's double violin concerto on PBS. They bought the record and played it over and over. I grew up on it. I still find it unbelievably moving. Just go to youtube and search Bach double violin concerto. He only wrote one.
Posted by sigismund on November 28, 2013, at 20:41:41
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect', posted by baseball55 on November 28, 2013, at 19:11:34
I must listen to it again. Perhaps there was this part in the middle of the first movement where, was it going backwards or forwards or the layering. That first movement is so rigorous, and the second a fugue, do I recall reading that. I have never understood fugues, they are pretty far out and interesting. The counterpoint at the end of some classical symphonies (esp 40 Mozart) is easier, and makes me think of taking a building apart. I have Richter doing the Well Tempered Clavier and listen often. He amused me by saying that after playing for Stalin's funeral he really needed a shower.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 29, 2013, at 9:34:56
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect', posted by sigismund on November 26, 2013, at 22:40:00
Although I don't play anymore, I can still read music and I find it can add a lot to see the score alongside the music. Some brilliant YouTubers have made this so easy for us, as in this example.
Part 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM-sSHNA41U
Part 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkPgqJHJvU4
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 29, 2013, at 11:06:35
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect' » ed_uk2010, posted by sigismund on November 28, 2013, at 18:28:09
>The Corelli is amazing and lovely.
>
> What is that many stringed instrument?This one? Scroll down...
http://www.bachtrack.com/Claudio+Monteverdi+-+Still+young+at+500
It's the Theorbo, a sort of giant lute. Very widely used in the Baroque era as part of the Basso Continuo. The numbers and symbols below the cello part represent the chords, it's called a figured bass.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 29, 2013, at 11:38:38
In reply to Re: 'mozart effect', posted by baseball55 on November 28, 2013, at 19:11:34
> Oh Wow. That Corelli video makes me weep.
I added one above with the score, a simpler less elaborate performance.
If you prefer drama, listen to Europa Galante's phenomenal version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX_MtDxZVl0
I love the Bach double. You must mean this one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1uSj4apOG0
Do you like the Bach harpsichord concertos eg.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2laUv3y7OfA
Baroque string music is usually difficult but many orchestras can 'have a go'. In contrast, the operatic music of the time often sounds almost un-singable.
How about this (literally breathtaking) singing! (from Griselda, Vivaldi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNA0J2bJg3k
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