[Nightfly]

Recently on Allofmp3 they had a tribute to Mstislav Rostropovich who died at the age of 80..He was one of the greatest cellist in all of Russia,probably the world..They added many of his recordings to the catalog these are the ones I downloaded and are accessible to all:

Mstislav Rostropovich: Vivaldi,Tartini,Boccherini Cello Concertos
These are all concertos by Baroque composers,though I like my Baroque
on the lighter side with a chamber orchestra,here Rostropovich readings are done with full orchestra and are interpreted with a more majestic classical approach but never heavy handed in his playing.Over all a great listen and with a beautiful tone to his playing.. on allofmp3

Haydn Cello Concertos 1 & 2 : On these 2 Classical Concertos, Rostropovich
shows his lighter side and makes this recording a great listen.Well recorded.
Look under Haydn not MS to find this one on allofmp3

The Bach Cello Suites:Rostropovich These Suites written by Baroque composer J.S. Bach
are solo cello pieces composed in movements to be dance like such as
Minuet Gigue Bouree extx..and even though solo material,they have great melodies ..this may not be for first timers ...But these are very famous recordings of these suites and there is a reason this is very popular download from allofmp3..For me this is the best recording of these suites..YoYo Ma's comes in second because of his more modern approach..

The following are recommend for everybody...They are on allofmp3

Mozart: Chamber Works for Wind and Strings Chicago Chamber Musicians
This is a wonderful great sounding record for all to hear..What made Mozart a genius was that he had a duality to him ,he wrote for the masses but was still
loved by scholars and royalty and was beloved by all..This recording can be used for back round music or for serious listening over a glass of wine.You can't go wrong.

Every One knows the Baroque favorite.. Vivaldi's: Four Seasons ..They have a classic version at allofmp3 by Academy of St. Martin in the Field with conductor Neville Marriner....can't go wrong with this one.

Take care,
Nightfly

[shadman]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

Recently on Allofmp3 they had a tribute to Mstislav Rostropovich who died at the age of 80..He was one of the greatest cellist in all of Russia,probably the world..They added many of his recordings to the catalog these are the ones I downloaded and are accessible to all:

Mstislav Rostropovich: Vivaldi,Tartini,Boccherini Cello Concertos
These are all concertos by Baroque composers,though I like my Baroque
on the lighter side with a chamber orchestra,here Rostropovich readings are done with full orchestra and are interpreted with a more majestic classical approach but never heavy handed in his playing.Over all a great listen and with a beautiful tone to his playing.. on allofmp3

Haydn Cello Concertos 1 & 2 : On these 2 Classical Concertos, Rostropovich
shows his lighter side and makes this recording a great listen.Well recorded.
Look under Haydn not MS to find this one on allofmp3

The Bach Cello Suites:Rostropovich These Suites written by Baroque composer J.S. Bach
are solo cello pieces composed in movements to be dance like such as
Minuet Gigue Bouree extx..and even though solo material,they have great melodies ..this may not be for first timers ...But these are very famous recordings of these suites and there is a reason this is very popular download from allofmp3..For me this is the best recording of these suites..YoYo Ma's comes in second because of his more modern approach..

The following are recommend for everybody...They are on allofmp3

Mozart: Chamber Works for Wind and Strings Chicago Chamber Musicians
This is a wonderful great sounding record for all to hear..What made Mozart a genius was that he had a duality to him ,he wrote for the masses but was still
loved by scholars and royalty and was beloved by all..This recording can be used for back round music or for serious listening over a glass of wine.You can't go wrong.

Every One knows the Baroque favorite.. Vivaldi's: Four Seasons ..They have a classic version at allofmp3 by Academy of St. Martin in the Field with conductor Neville Marriner....can't go wrong with this one.

Take care,
Nightfly

hello and good day,
thanks so much for the post, im not a real classical type of guy but i found your post very inspiring and will check out some of these materpieces!
thanks again and great post
chad

[Dave C]

Yet again; superbly descriptive in your recommendations. 'Mstislav Rostropovich: Vivaldi,Tartini,Boccherini Cello Concertos' was the first and only classical record I have ever downloaded. Although it sounded okay, I was frustrated because I did not like it more (might have to accept I am just a heathen). I am going to give the Haydn & Mozart a go in the hope that I can find a piece of classical music which I can honestly say I like (I might then be able to have a conversation with my father-in-law about music).
Cheers,
Dave C

[Nightfly]

Thanks Chad..and if you want any recommends dirrected at your personal tastes ..I'd be glad to help..Some like the more rocking stuff like Beethoven
Tschakovsky extc, and some like the more mellow stuff like Vivaldi, Bach or Handel and some the in between like Mozart or Hadyn ...If you listen a bit
you will get a feel for what you like..
Nightfly

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by Dave C

Yet again; superbly descriptive in your recommendations. 'Mstislav Rostropovich: Vivaldi,Tartini,Boccherini Cello Concertos' was the first and only classical record I have ever downloaded. Although it sounded okay, I was frustrated because I did not like it more (might have to accept I am just a heathen). I am going to give the Haydn & Mozart a go in the hope that I can find a piece of classical music which I can honestly say I like (I might then be able to have a conversation with my father-in-law about music).
Cheers,
Dave C

Thanks Dave..Don't give up everybody has different taste and I'm sharing mine,yours will be different I have a feeling though you might connect
on the Mozart and Vivaldi's Four Seasons..Rostropovich can be to heavy
for some as I said above...any questions feel free..
Nightfly

[Dave C]

Hi Nightfly,
well, I have given both Haydn and Mozart a good listen and to me Haydn wins. I just found myself switching off during the Mozart, but I enjoyed some of the Haydn tracks (I'm sure they are not meant to be caled tracks, but you know what I mean). Will try the Bach next,
Cheers,
Dave C

[Nightfly]

Originally Posted by Dave C

Hi Nightfly,
well, I have given both Haydn and Mozart a good listen and to me Haydn wins. I just found myself switching off during the Mozart, but I enjoyed some of the Haydn tracks (I'm sure they are not meant to be caled tracks, but you know what I mean). Will try the Bach next,
Cheers,
Dave C

Dave... The Bach Violin Concertos by Itzhak Perlman is my favorite
Bach recording of all time and is on allofmp3..Give this recording a try if
you don't like the Cello Suites.. This is lighter, but has a good groove to it
where you actually can get into it during the allegro(fast) passages..and is a full orchestra but handles baroque music with a lighter spirit like it should.
Also try .. The Four Seasons by Vivaldi .. also a good basic piece of baroqe...
remember sometimes we don't get certain music when we first hear it ..but
maybe after a second or third time ..something clicks and compels us to it
..for whatever reason..
Good Luck,
Nightfly

[JimZipCode]

Originally Posted by Dave C

hope that I can find a piece of classical music which I can honestly say I like (I might then be able to have a conversation with my father-in-law about music).

If one is looking for for an intro to classical music, the Amadeus soundtrack is quite frankly an awesome Mozart sampler. The performances are (I think) all by the Academy or St Martin in the Fields, conducted by Neville Marriner: an excellent ensemble and conductor. The pieces are very diverse, with excerpts from symphonies and piano concerti and a mass and the Requiem, and a long segment from Don Giovanni. Also, pretty much each piece evokes a scene from the movie; so it might help if you've seen the movie, so you have some idea of the dramatic context or an image to associate with each excerpt. The excerpt from Don Giovanni is so well chosen, and is so compelling in the movie, that you might even think you like opera, after listening to the Amadeus soundtrack! But I'm not sure it's absolutely necessary to have seen the movie, to enjoy the soundtrack.
(It's a really great movie though, so you should see it anyway. ;-)

[JimZipCode]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

remember sometimes we don't get certain music when we first hear it - but maybe after a second or third time something clicks and compels us to it for whatever reason.

This is a really good point. I notice that with regular albums (NON-classical albums), it usually takes me a few listens to get into the album. You know: it takes a few times thru to identify songs I like, to start to know the album and anticipate what comes next, maybe have some clue of songs I don't like as much and might like to skip. Since it takes that much, uh, investment of effort to get to know a regular album, I would say don't shortchange a classical piece by giving it LESS of a chance than you would a regular album. Listen a few times, start to identify passages you like or movements you like, start to get a feel for what gets repeated and when a prior melody that's been gone for a while returns to the forefront, start to anticipate what comes next.

NB, don't cripple yourself by trying this with some massive compilation, like the complete Bach cello sonatas (on 3 discs) or a complete opera or anything. You're not even giving yourself a fair chance. Try it with a classical release that occupies just a single disc (except the Amadeus soundtrack, or course ;-).

[JimZipCode]

By the way, this site seems useful:

Basic Repertoire List
for Building a Library of Classical Recordings
http://www.classical.net/music/rep/top.html
• Introduction
• "Where do I begin?"
• How to Use this Guide
• Musical Periods
• The Basic Repertoire