Reccommend me strings-focused classical

[WNxScythe]

I'm a huge fan of some of Tchaikovsky's and Vivaldi's works... particularly, Swan Lake, and the Four Seasons. The 3rd movement of "Summer" blows me away every time.

Any reccommendations from these two composers or others (I haven't really ventured past the four seasons from Vivaldi or Tchaikovsky's ballets) for powerful, gripping strings centered music would be very appreciated! I usually like sorrowful and emotional pieces (but not whiny sentimentality) the most, either slow, or fast.

 

[Valerie]

Brahms. Allregro non tropo - Poco sost

 

[challenge_everything]

This thread should pretty much cover it

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/general-metal-discussion/245414-classical-music-metalheads.html

For sorrowful string-based classical, my favourite piece would be Henryk Gorecki's Symphony No 3 (symphony of sorrowful songs)

 

[Thoth-Amon]

I'm a huge fan of some of Tchaikovsky's and Vivaldi's works... particularly, Swan Lake, and the Four Seasons. The 3rd movement of "Summer" blows me away every time.

Any reccommendations from these two composers or others (I haven't really ventured past the four seasons from Vivaldi or Tchaikovsky's ballets) for powerful, gripping strings centered music would be very appreciated! I usually like sorrowful and emotional pieces (but not whiny sentimentality) the most, either slow, or fast.

Tchaikovsky's best work is the 6th Symphony.

 

[WNxScythe]

I'll check it out thanks.

About Vivaldi, what are his other best compositions?

 

[Hatebreeder]

Listen to Dvorak's "New World Symphony" and Sibelius' "Finlandia".

 

[Thoth-Amon]

I'll check it out thanks.

About Vivaldi, what are his other best compositions?

Vivaldi... hmmm.... I really only know the well known concertos, i.e. four seaons, mandolin concertos, violin concertos, guitar concertos, etc. Its all nice music but none of it thrills me.
I think you would probably also be interested in listening to modern (i.e. 20th century) composers and romantic composers if you are a metal fan who is looking into classical.

 

[Valerie]

Sibelius' "Finlandia".

That doesn't focus on strings. I think the OP meant more along the lines of chamber music.

 

[WNxScythe]

Vivaldi... hmmm.... I really only know the well known concertos, i.e. four seaons, mandolin concertos, violin concertos, guitar concertos, etc. Its all nice music but none of it thrills me.
I think you would probably also be interested in listening to modern (i.e. 20th century) composers and romantic composers if you are a metal fan who is looking into classical.

Yes I'm very into the romantic period, Tchaikovsky and Chopin (!) are some of my favorites. Can you reccommend others?

As for 20th century, I don't really know where to start. I love Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, but that's all I've really heard. I also liked Rite of Spring to some extent, but I couldn't get Fantasia images from childhood out of my head, kinda ruined it :zombie:

 

[Thoth-Amon]

Yes I'm very into the romantic period, Tchaikovsky and Chopin (!) are some of my favorites. Can you reccommend others?

As for 20th century, I don't really know where to start. I love Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, but that's all I've really heard. I also liked Rite of Spring to some extent, but I couldn't get Fantasia images from childhood out of my head, kinda ruined it :zombie:

Yes of course. For 20th century music I would HIGHLY recommend Bartok's "Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta". This is a very dark brooding and intense piece. One of the best works of the 20th century IMO.
That's funny about Rite of Spring... . I consider that to be one of the best works of the 20th century also. When I was studying theory in college we followed along in the score while listening to this piece... it brought out things you would not really notice if you were just listening to the music alone. You might want to try this sometime as it can enhance your listening experience... that is if you can read music or at least follow along. Also Alban Berg's Violin Concerto is probably the best work of its type. This work requires a bit of effort to get into as it as an atonal work. Get the Anne-Sophie Von Mutter recording.
As far as other romantic composers I love Wagner and Mahler (post-romantic really). Berlioz is also fantastic. These composers take a while and a bit of work to appreciate. For Wagner I would start out with Das Rheingold which is the first opera in Das Ring Des Nibelungen... it's one of his shorter operas and one of the best also. Read along in the libretto while listening to it... it really makes the work more engaging. Get the Solti recording as well. You might want to read up a bit on the whole Ring Cycle beforehand to really enjoy this work. As far as Mahler is concerned I would start with Symphony 5. And for Berlioz I would start with Symphonie Fantastique. I know that this may seem like a lot of "work" just to listen to these pieces but great art requires time and work on behalf of its listeners.

 

[WNxScythe]

Bah, I'm kinda of a music fanatic anyways. I've done things like following along with the scores many, many times. I go out of my way to put myself in ideal listening conditions all the time.

 

[Thoth-Amon]

Bah, I'm kinda of a music fanatic anyways. I've done things like following along with the scores many, many times. I go out of my way to put myself in ideal listening conditions all the time.

Very good then!
Oh you should check out Arvo Part as well... start with Tabula Rasa which is a concerto for two violins, prepared piano and string orchestra. It's probably his most popular piece but its really great.

 

[infoterror]

I'm a huge fan of some of Tchaikovsky's and Vivaldi's works... particularly, Swan Lake, and the Four Seasons.

Respighi.
Paginini
Vaesen

 

[Karasu]

Check out Beethoven's violin concerto and Bach's double violins concerto.

Mozart's symphony no. 25 in G Minor is another good one.

Barber's Adagio for Strings as well...

 

[Thoth-Amon]

Check out Beethoven's violin concerto and Bach's double violins concerto.

Mozart's symphony no. 25 in G Minor is another good one.

Barber's Adagio for Strings as well...

Yup all great stuff. That's my favorite Mozart symphony actually. Also you should check out Penderecki's 'Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima'.