By special request, let’s discuss our favourite Classic Music and why?

Whenever I need a musical pick me up, it has to be Bach, and this piece in particular: The Preludio from the Partita No 3 in E major for violin, but transcribed for the piano. It is the most life affirming piece of perpetual motion you will ever hear, and the piano gives it an added sonority. I like Helene Grimaud’s interpretation. I wish I could do links but I can’t.

This one?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Td_nSJyvhE&list=RD8Td_nSJyvhE&start_radio=1

My favourite Bach - currently... is this very different one..

Air" by Johann Sebastian Bach from the 3rd orchestral suite (D minor; BWV 1068), 2nd movement.

Smooth, rich gentle, lyrical. 5.38 mins

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrVDATvUitA&list=RDrrVDATvUitA&start_radio=1

Yes! That one! Thankyou Wyllow. It’s given me a real lift this morning.

I too love the Air. It’s one of the few pieces of Bach I can play on the piano now that my fingers are stiffening up.

I like music that tells a story. Respighi’s Pines and Fountains of Rome has piece called the Pines of the Appian Way depicting ghostly legions marching down the Appian Way, culminating with the Consul in his chariot appearing just as the sun is rising. It starts almost imperceptibly, and builds to a tremendous climax. I’ve heard this piece played by orchestras, Military bands and, most recently, at a concert by the Grimethorpe Band when they were joined by one of the city’s school bands. What a phenomenal sound that was! It got a standing ovation.

I like the way that music can tell a story to ones feelings. It's sometimes like entering into a discussion, a dialogue.

As if an Other were with me, not a person, but as if it were.

I can't play a musical instrument so I often hum or sing along to the music.

I always play Classic fm in the car during the school runs. Dgs1 who is 7 is really enjoying it now. Today he told me his favourite piece at the moment is about Spring which he hears in school last week. I played vivaldi for him today and his wee face lit up

Willow3 I have Just listened to the German Requiem (Brahms), it was absolutely lovely. That will be on my playlist from now on so thank you!

Greyduster

Yes! That one! Thankyou Wyllow. It’s given me a real lift this morning.

I too love the Air. It’s one of the few pieces of Bach I can play on the piano now that my fingers are stiffening up.

I like the visual for that YouTube recording of the 'Air'- I know it's static, but it's really pleasing.

It’s one of the few pieces of Bach I can play on the piano now that my fingers are stiffening up.

I've the same problem. How about Bach's Prelude in C Major from the WTClavier? I practise this nearly every day, along with the dreaded scales and arpeggios in attempt to counter the stiffness. Also, whilst on the phone (and held in a queue), I do finger exercises on my desk, it might have been Lang Lang who recommended them but not sure. The longer I-am-held-in-a-queue, the more impatient the exercises .

That made me smile. I did learnt to play the piano as a child, then the cello, stopped around 20ish.

But me and Sis as nearly the same age used to practice our piano on the dining room table and I still do it to music as I try to sing, partly for fun, partly ads its aa great way to keep my fingers as mobile as possible. A few firm opening chords from Rachmaninov Piano 2...
And then then the too fast wiggly music...🙄

The C major is a doddle - a lovely relaxing run through. The C Minor is a nightmare. Sixteen bars in and I’ve sunk without trace. I’m working on it though - have been for years😂!

The minor.
Let us know when you get there 😉

... Sixteen bars in and I’ve sunk without trace.

Not surprised! The tempo!

I play it better on the desktop ...

Here's your starter for the morning - all will recognise the Elizabethan song, (orchestral) but Vaughn Williams turns it into a lyrical green sunny day awakening with clear birdsong references (5.38 mins)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPeW8QaozG8&list=RDbPeW8QaozG8&start_radio=1

Wyllow3

Here's your starter for the morning - all will recognise the Elizabethan song, (orchestral) but Vaughn Williams turns it into a lyrical green sunny day awakening with clear birdsong references (5.38 mins)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPeW8QaozG8&list=RDbPeW8QaozG8&start_radio=1

That is so 'English' and evocative.

I once, for a brief period, worked in Hampton Court - in a defunct 'grace-and-favour' apartment set up to house the restoration project people in the early 90s after the fire in 1986. They needed a secretary for a few weeks and, as I was 'temping' at the time I was lucky and got the job, perhaps the most rewarding temp assignment I ever had. This piece reminds me of that time.

As a late 'second starter' - I give you...

youtu.be/wwl9cf9uUFQ?list=RDwwl9cf9uUFQ

Blissful, both of them👏👏. I would add on to both those Delius’ ‘On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring’.

It's lovely Dickens the oboe is so hauntingly heart reaching. The Oboe does have that quality, does it? Thinking of
Morricone –

Gabriel's Oboe from The Mission which we'd probably all recall

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtE3hoR_Nvo&list=RDFtE3hoR_Nvo&start_radio=1

Greyduster

Blissful, both of them👏👏. I would add on to both those Delius’ ‘On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring’.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xHIhcstxUM&list=RD3xHIhcstxUM&start_radio=1

nice comment in the comments section geographically for me.

Greyduster

Oh, yes! Delius... another haunting piece. I love the visuals too.

Wyllow3

The young girl playing the oboe so beautifully.

My final offering is...

youtu.be/UMvlCtfPunQ?list=RDUMvlCtfPunQ&t=1042

This is the Largo from Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3. The pianist is a young boy, Justus, who at the time was only 14, or maybe just 15, years old. The sensitivity with which he masters this piece is quite incredible for one so young.

The video is of the whole concerto, but I've linked direct to the Largo only.

Thank you both for those links - I've saved them for future listening!

... and thank you Cossy for starting this!

I'm going to look at everyone's choices and recommendations, there's some pieces I've not heard of.

This has been a lovely thread!

Some of these young musicians are amazing. I was mesmerised by Freddy Kempf when he won Young Musician of the Year in 1992 aged 14. He played Rachmaninov’s Second, and then the scintillating Balakirev Islamey. I was lucky enough to see him in concert twice and his playing was a huge thrill.

My young musician of the year favourite was the cellist Laura van der Heijden playing Brahms Cello Sonata No 2.

She played a relatively simple piece technically as opposed to some others playing virtuoso stuff

but oh the total commitment sort of body and soul

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkZTblmpNds&list=RDQkZTblmpNds&start_radio=1

(under 3 min)

One I forgot, not ‘classical’ in the vintage sense, is the IMO very beautiful theme from Sense and Sensibility, called ‘My Father’s Favourite’ since its described as such in the film, with Marianne playing it.

Wyllow3

My young musician of the year favourite was the cellist Laura van der Heijden playing Brahms Cello Sonata No 2.

She played a relatively simple piece technically as opposed to some others playing virtuoso stuff

but oh the total commitment sort of body and soul

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkZTblmpNds&list=RDQkZTblmpNds&start_radio=1

(under 3 min)

I have met Laura ... she is a lovely young woman as well as a consulate musician.