Comments on: How to Talk About Classical Music

By: Top 10 Pieces of Classical Music Every Man Should Know | Primer

Top 10 Pieces of Classical Music Every Man Should Know | Primer — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:42:05 +0000

[...] I’ve picked ten pieces, all of which are extremely well-known to classical aficionados, most of which are well-known to the wider world. I’ll include a brief note on the piece, as well as a recommendation or two of other works or composers that might be appealing if you enjoy that particular work. For some help with terminology and listening approaches, see my previous article, How to Talk About Classical Music. [...]

By: A 2008 Primer Retrospective | Primer

A 2008 Primer Retrospective | Primer — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:23:23 +0000

[...] Read More June 200818 [...]

By: Live Classical Music: Where, How, and Why | Primer

Live Classical Music: Where, How, and Why | Primer — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:51:44 +0000

[...] will branch out from there. For a crash course in learning and talking about classical music, see this article I wrote for Primer last [...]

By: 6 Practical Tricks for Becoming an Early Riser | Primer

6 Practical Tricks for Becoming an Early Riser | Primer — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:08:47 +0000

[...] iTunes into an alarm clock. (There are many free ones out there, but Aurora is a popular solution.) Find some great orchestral music that isn’t too energetic and that will allow you to return from your slumber peacefully. I [...]

By: Stillz

Stillz — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:20:39 +0000

Wow, this is truly a crash course. Well done.

By: chadbirgy

chadbirgy — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:37:48 +0000

sweet! ya you fukkin do………..

By: Mattie

Mattie — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:58:00 +0000

Or you can ask that cute classical girl you know to make you a mix CD and explain the pieces to you… they feel appreciated, you feel enlightened, everybody wins!

By: Lorin

Lorin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:07:27 +0000

Trisha,

It’s not the first installment of a series per se, but I will be covering other topics related to classical music in the future. Be sure to click on the ‘Subscribe’ button below. It’s quick and easy and will ensure that you stay up-to-date on all the new articles published here at Primer.

By: Trisha

Trisha — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:50:19 +0000

Nicely done Loren. Understanding classical music can be an intimidating endeavor. Is this the first installment of a series?

By: Diana

Diana — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:48:18 +0000

Excellent information, even as a reminder to those of us who haven’t dealt with history or specific terminology for a while. Keep writing!

By: Marianne

Marianne — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:53:50 +0000

Wonderful summary, and more! I’m listening right now.

By: Lorin

Lorin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:29:06 +0000

Glad y’all liked the article. In answer to Adam’s question, I’d say that for a long time now my favorite pieces have been Bach’s Brandenburg Concerti. There are six of them, each a fully formed work on its own but together forming a set. There is a terrific variety to be found here; for instance, in the first concerto hunting horns and the piccolo violin are the solo instruments, in the second you have oboe, recorder, violin and trumpet, in the sixth you have no violins at all but only deep treble instruments (violas, cellos, violas da gamba),,,the list goes on and on. A great recording of these works comes from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet does a fantastic arrangement of the Brandenburgs.

Another wonderful introduction is Vivaldi’s ‘The Seasons,’ a set of concerti that I guarantee you will recognize the moment you play the first one. A good, brand new release of this work is by the Portland Baroque Orchestra, and can be found at http://www.pbo.org. One of the violinists in both these recordings is Monica Huggett, whom I’ve met personally a number of times and is considered one of the best baroque violinists in the world.

As one final plug for myself, I review and write in depth about classical music at http://www.northwestreverb.blogspot.com in addition to my own blog mentioned above. You can email me through my profile, and I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.