Classical Music, Opera, and Ballet

[labelleepoque]

pearlysweetcake said:

labelleepoque said:

Another piece I love is the opening dance from the ballet Coppelia.

Oh my God, I have been absolutely obsessed with Coppélia for the past several months! LaBelleEpoque, you should listen to the "Mazurka" (the fourth piece); the "Prelude" is an edited version of that piece.

Yeah, I love that piece, but its kinda cool how it starts in the prelude!

When I first started at ballet school, it was a week before the school showcase, and they were rehearsing the Mazurka from Coppélia all week, so as well as being a great piece of music, it reminds me of that time as well

[Deleted]

I can't stop listening to Charles Ives. I just got The Circus Band in choir and it was completely bitchin, so I dug out my Charles Ives Songs tonight for a quick listen. So awesome! Before, I just liked the idea of Charles Ives--that there was this crazy homophobic insurance salesman who won a Pulitzer for proving to his friends that he wasn't gay. But: so awesome! It's "Thoreau" right now, and it's absolutely beautiful.

[starskin]

I dare you to listen to this and not cry.

Just wow.

[swanflake]

starskin said:

I dare you to listen to this and not cry.

Just wow.

That was fantastic, starskin. Do you know if there are any clearer recordings available out there?

[starskin]

It's it amazing, SwanFlake? I don't know if there's another version of it...apprarently there's a soundtrack[/color] to a tv show he did that features it, and that I'd love to get my hands on. I was just looking for Purcell tunes (I know, I know), and stumbled across this. Talk about a find.

ETA: I just found this[/color] as well. It's one of my favorite songs to sing, but I'd never heard it as a piano-only arrangement before. Beautiful!

[zwinter]

The radio's playing Porgy and Bess today and it reminds me that I love Porgy and Bess and I should totally buy a CD of it. So, does anyone have a recommendation for the best recording of Porgy and Bess (audio)? Thanks!

[Deleted]

Thought I'd bump this thread to see if there are other classical music lovers around who don't post because no one else does. Hello???
*sigh*

[Yossarian]

I'm here! I'm having a Chopin moment right now, listening to the "Nocturnes" as I cook dinner. I'm also a big fan of Beethoven's piano sonatas and, for when I want something more bombastic, Shostakovich is the guy - No. 10 especially. I'm also a big fan of Prokoviev's "Romeo and Juliet." Oh, and I love Beethoven symphonies 5 and 7. And Satie's "Gymnopedie No. 1."

I'm not so much an opera fan. My dad was an absolute opera buff (he's left part of his collection to the national broadcaster) but before he died he gave us his entire Caruso collection so I might have to start listening to that. As for ballet, mmmm. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I'm going to see the Nutcracker next month but I passed up on tickets to Firebird next week.

[unimpressed]

Chiming in to say I've been obsessively listening to Bach's Concerto in F minor Largo. It has soothed my soul and prevented many episodes of road rage.
Love Opera too! sadly my trips to the theater are a luxury we can no longer afford. Did see Die Fledermaus and Rigoletto last year though when I still had $.

[e c0li]

I just sang in a presentation of the Brahms Requiem. It could have gone better, but the soprano soloist was divine.