Another List?

Submitted by Jim Hirsch on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 12:10pm.

This morning my Google alert for Chicago classical music included a link to a blog with the title, Baroque jams: you’re new iPod playlist.  This caught my eye for a number of reasons.  First, my wife and son spent seven hours in line last week waiting to buy the new Apple iPhone that incorporates all of the iPod functions with too many other things to list.  I confess that I am interested in just about all things Apple-related.

But when posts combine my interest in technology and classical music, I tend to really pay attention.   This post is meant as a primer for younger people looking to put classical music on their iPod who might not know where to start.  The author spoke with an artistic administrator, a composer, and a radio host who all had suggestions.

I think we can do even better here at chicagoclassicalmusic.org.  I’d like to ask you, our very informed and knowledgeable users, to suggest your top five classical music compositions that should be on every young person’s iPod by replying to this post.

Here is my list:

Beethoven – 7th Symphony
Mozart – The Magic Flute
Tchaikovsky – Violin Concerto in D major
DBR - almost anything he’s recorded with the Mission
Albéniz – Leyenda (I had to include a guitar piece!  This one is fun and exciting.)

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Jim Ginsburg | Sat, 07/19/2008 - 2:11am

Recalling my favorite pieces as a young child, my list would be (in chronological order):

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons

Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro

Mozart: Symphony No. 41 (Jupiter)

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

Schubert: Symphony No. 9

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Guest (not verified) | Sat, 07/19/2008 - 4:26am

Bach's Prelude from BWV 846

Beethoven's violin concerto

Schubert's Unfinished sympony

Schumann's Children scenes

 

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Guest (not verified) | Sun, 07/20/2008 - 11:20am

Yawn. This site is so self-serving and predictable. 
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Jim Ginsburg | Sun, 07/20/2008 - 1:16pm

How is asking people to list the best pieces for introducing youngsters to classical music self serving? What is self serving (and cowardly) is posting anonymous comments that are entirely non-constructive.

If you find the content here uninteresting, no one is forcing you to read it.

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MusicLover (not verified) | Mon, 07/21/2008 - 8:09am

Well said, Jim!  Anyone can be an armchair critic--it takes no talent whatsoever.  When I am confronted with someone who finds fault with something, I immediately ask for their opinion on how to correct, or improve the situation.  Usually, the response is silence, stammering, or something like "I don't know...whatever."  It is at that point when I suggest that they consider offering ideas or suggestions, and sometimes even taking over the job themselves.  Usually the conversation ends...

Anonymous--care to offer any constructive advice?

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Guest (not verified) | Tue, 07/22/2008 - 2:39pm

Hi Guest,

Thanks for your comment.  What would you advise those of us involved in the site to do to make it less self-serving and predictable?  This is a serious question on my part.

Jim Hirsch

P.S. - I like lists, and I like the idea of advising new listeners about what to listen to. 

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Guest (not verified) | Tue, 07/22/2008 - 3:46pm

I would never have heard of/explored DBR was it not for this site/ "predictable" blog entry.

 DRB writes some very cool and different music. I'm looking forward to hearing more suggestions. Thanks Jim - good start!

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Guest (not verified) | Tue, 07/22/2008 - 3:56pm

If I had to list the pieces that got me really excited about classical music as a kid they would be:

- The Planets (Jupiter especially) by Holst
- Procession of the Nobles by Rimsky Korsakov
- Light Calvalry by Suppe
- John Phillip Sousa Marches and any Screamers circus march actually
- March from Aida - Verdi

Anything fast and exciting with lots of brass!

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Jim Ginsburg | Wed, 07/23/2008 - 12:00am

Wasn't "Procession of the Nobles" the intro music to a classical radio show a couple of decades ago? I'm pretty sure it was one I used to hear on WQXR growing up in NY. Can anyone recall what show it was? It's been bugging me for quite a while now...

Great piece, btw!

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Guest (not verified) | Thu, 07/24/2008 - 2:35pm

Hi Guests,

Thanks for your comments on this posting.  There are some really nice ideas for iPod lists, and if nothing else, we have stimulated a good exchange of ideas.  That's always been one of the goals of this site.  We appreciate all opinions and points of view - even those that may not be flattering to all of us.  In the words of our soon-to-be-former Commander in Chief, "Bring 'em on!"

 

Jim Hirsch

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classicalgeek (not verified) | Sun, 07/27/2008 - 3:51pm

Keeping in mind that this is for young people . . .

Mozart - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Schubert - 36 Original Dances, D. 365, Op. 9

Debussy - La Cathedral Engloutie

Dufay - Missa Se La Face Ay Pale

Bach - English Suites

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