I'm going to answer these the other way around.

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by Demona
Do you have a knowledge of music and some technical understanding, or is it a purely aestethic interest?

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Yes. I was never a A-grade theoretical musician because I prefered playing to studying, but I have played the Trombone for the last 24 years. I have played various styles, Orchestral, Wind Band, Jazz (that was fun!), session work, but mainly Brass Band music.

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Do you have a favourite piece/composer?

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Difficult to say conclusively, because I enjoy many different styles. I've probably got two favourites, but they come from completely different ends of the classical music scale. As far as heavy-duty classical music is concerned, I would have to say that my favourite is "The Planets" by Gustav Holst. But, at the other end of the scale, Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" runs a close second.


(Edited by gobstopper 09/08/2002 19:34)

I quite like Vanessa Mae.. does that count?

i've never got into classical, but there are several tunes i've heard and liked, although dunno what they're called. but i do love that piece from mozart that goes der der der der der der der der derrr.

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by gobstopper
But, at the other end of the scale, Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" runs a close second.

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The initial rising clarinet (uh... I don't have a technical understanding or vocab ) is fantastically sexy. One of my favourite pieces too.

I love classical music, in films, on CD. It adds to atmosphere, the way many things don't. I don't really have a faviote, I just have a stack at home by tons of composers.

o'd av thunk it, I, a clais icle dude

Somone once mentioned Henrick Gorecki.

Either here or on BuffyUk (please excuse spelling)

Symphony No. 3 is utterly gorgeous.

It's the only piece of orchestral music that I own, but I love it. NBot sure if it counts as Classical tho'.

I really like classical music. I do have a reasonable knowledge, I played the piano and viola for years and have played in orchestras, so despite serious lack of talent I do have an understanding.

As for a favourite piece of music, it's hard to pick just one, but Dvorak's cello concerto has always appealed particularly. I agree with everyone else about Rhapsody in Blue though, another wonderful piece.

And Spike, I think you mean Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. I'm starting to worry about the way I can identify tunes from Spike writing them down as 'der der's!!

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by White Hart
Spike, I think you mean Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. I'm starting to worry about the way I can identify tunes from Spike writing them down as 'der der's!!

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Now that is worrying

I like many pieces of classical music, but I have no idea who they are by.

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by White Hart
As for a favourite piece of music, it's hard to pick just one, but Dvorak's cello concerto has always appealed particularly. I agree with everyone else about Rhapsody in Blue though, another wonderful piece.

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Completely forgot about Dvorak. Never heard the piece you mention, but there is of course his New World Symphony which has the famous Largo section - which to the non-musical is the old Hovis advert

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And Spike, I think you mean Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. I'm starting to worry about the way I can identify tunes from Spike writing them down as 'der der's!!

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I don't know whether to bow down to your talent, or be very scared...

I don't really have a technical understanding of music, I just adore the beauty of classical music. No words are needed to provoke such a wide variety of emotions.

My favourite pieces are, Holst's The Planets, Beethoven's 9th Symphony, and Prokofiev's Dance Of The Knights (from Romeo and Juliet), all of them "do something to me" in different ways

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by KieranFrost
I love classical music, in films, on CD. It adds to atmosphere, the way many things don't. I don't really have a faviote, I just have a stack at home by tons of composers.

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You mean the stack I've just been ripping onto the PC? The ones covered in years' worth of dust?

Johann Pachelbel - Canon in D. This piece of music can make me cry. It's an utterly timeless, utterly beautiful piece of music. Its definately a piece I'd consider having played at my funeral, and by some real musicians if I can help it...

And they'll damn well sit through it too! No skulking off!

I like music for aesthetic reasons only, and tend not to be interested in the slightest in the technical side of it which I am clueless about.

Oh and one other thing (sorry to continue the morbid theme) but it was this I listened to very loud one day shortly after my mum had died - we both loved this piece so much. It was hugely cathartic for me, as it reached its peak, I was thinking about my mum, and I found my self screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" at the top of my voice, I dont think i'd ever screamed so loud. After that release, and it really was a release, I felt hugely better, and I think it was a turning point in coping with the grief, so I have this music to thank for that also!

I'm a bit like ck, i have pieces that i like, but i have no idea by whom or what they are called.. but i like "The Planets".. i seem to remember hearing that when i was a child and for some reason its stuck in my memory.

I don't know whether it would be described as "classical" but my brother loaned me a copy of the soundtrack from "The Lord of the Rings" and it is fantastic!

me too keeny fantastic isn't it *purrs* but i'm pretty much obsessed with anything lord of the rings

i listen to quite a bit of classical music, i never remember the composers or names but we have the classical collection here the cd's are labelled with different themes so i generally just pick one and stick it on heh
its nice..heh

I,m afraid to say, that i'm quite fair weather on classical music, Let's say I have my moods!!!
And if I have that mood, then it has to be Pucinni's Madam Butterfly, it really touches me, brings the goosebumps as it were.