Comments on: Top 10 Pieces of Classical Music Every Man Should Know

By: Lorin Wilkerson

Lorin Wilkerson — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:59:40 +0000

Palmetto– Dictionary definition of programmatic (or program) music: a type of art music that attempts to musically render an extra-musical narrative. The artist (Vivaldi in this case) attempts to paint a musical picture if you will–there are very specific scenes and images associated with the music, like shepherds sleeping under a tree on a lazy afternoon, a violent storm rolling in, peasants partying at a barn dance in autmn after the harvest, walking across slippery ice on a cold winter’s night.

Robin–Good to know! Have fun enjoying the incredible, limitless sound worlds of classical music! It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure book, except every ending is good.

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:07:53 +0000

Thank you!!I am absolutely new to the classics and this is a great jumping-off point.Thanks also for defending us that are not so”literate” and are not pursuing the classics for long-term study.I just love the sounds so much.Everyone should be able to experience fine music!:):)

By: Palmetto

Palmetto — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 16:42:58 +0000

Lorin, asking as a complete newbie, what do you mean when you refer to a work as ‘programmatic’ or a ‘program music’?

By: Lorin Wilkerson

Lorin Wilkerson — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:28:23 +0000

Devin–

Right there in No. 9.

By: Devin

Devin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:14:11 +0000

WHERE’S CHOPIN?!

By: Lorin Wilkerson

Lorin Wilkerson — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:57:48 +0000

Thanks for the correction Mike; you are right. My error notwithstanding, I think either the Jupiter (#41) or the famous G minor (#25) are both great introductions to the symphonic milieu.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:21:02 +0000

Mozart’s C major “Jupiter” symphony is Symphony no. 41, not Symphony no. 25 (Symphony no. 25, K183, is the famous G minor symphony at the beginning of Amadeus).

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:43:24 +0000

Sophiee thank you for the suggestions! I’ll have to check those out also.

By: sophiee

sophiee — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:38:53 +0000

Great list!
I also really like Claire de Lune (by Debussy) and i’m in love with Comptine D’Un Autre Ete (by Yann Tiersen) at the moment. It is such a beautiful piece of music (listening to it right now ;p)

By: Gary

Gary — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:55:25 +0000

Those are all great! I also recommend Gustav Holst – The Planets Suite, esp. ‘Mars – The Bringer of War’. John Williams’ orchestral music for Star Wars was not much more than a swipe from this suite.

By: Lorin Wilkerson

Lorin Wilkerson — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:05:37 +0000

Scott–

I get what you’re saying, but the way you’re saying it might make someone who used this list as it is intended feel like a dick. Most men who do have a desire to ‘pursue it seriously’ (whatever that may mean) probably are already doing so, and this article was in no way intended as a ‘be-all-and-end-all’ of classical music. It is intended as a jumping-off point, a reference for someone who may be curious but is unsure just how wide a variety of music fits under the term ‘classical,’ or what might appeal to them.

I completely reject the notion that one has to ‘pursue classical music’ seriously; in fact I think that idea is closely related to the snobbish effrontery that is one of the biggest problems with the overall perception of this great music, and one of the biggest barriers to more people exposing themselves to it: that is is somehow only for those with serious intent. The fact is, it is another style of music that someone may enjoy completely without feeling the need to make it a primary focus of their life or making it their favorite type of music.

If I had to name a goal for this article, it would be for as many guys as possible to at least dabble their toes a little bit and include a couple Bach or Mozart discs in their collection, not to convince one guy to become a total classical music geek like me. Listen to what you like–absolutely. But it’s a little hard to listen to what you like if you’re unsure of what that is. That’s the whole point of this little list of mine.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:49:02 +0000

I think it is important to note that this should be a list for men who have no interest in seriously pursuing classical music but who never-the-less feel the desire to be more culturally literate.

This list should NOT be for the man who wishes to pursue classical music more fully and who wants to actually enjoy it, long-term. For such a man, there are no lists; pleasure is the law. Listen to what you like.