Expert: Justin - 6/11/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I am currently somewhat obsessed with Arvo Parts 3rd Symphony (and have been for suite some time now).
This is my all time favorite piece of classical music.
Dark, yet intensely emotive; a tremendously moving piece of music.

I have yet to find anything that strikes the same chord with me (no pun intended).
A close second would be Gorecki's 3rd. Another fave would be "Adagio" by Samuel Barber.

Based on the above, can you recommend a couple of specific pieces of music? I have tried quite a few of the romantic composers (Shosty, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, etc.) and even the modernists (Glass, Reich, Nyman) and although I like alot of their material, nothing I have found yet, has floored me. I may just be looking in the wrong areas...

Alot of what I have found sounds too bombastic and "poppy" to me...maybe too happy? I have no idea if that makes any sense. That said, I do like the more emotive pieces that have multiple "peaks" and "valleys", like what is found in Parts 3rd.

I happen to find John Barrys Instrumental Suite for the film score for Indecent Proposal, quite beautiful and moving as well.

Would you be able to recommend any specific pieces to me, based on  my above likes/dislikes?

Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Avi.

I'll recommend a few composers and works in a moment, but I'd first like to say that exploring classical music can be one of the most fulfilling past times one can engage in. Simply tuning to a classical radio station and listening on a regular basis will open your ears to a wide range of music and you'll discover music that you never knew existed, some which will will "strike a chord" in you. I started off with Bach after hearing his Toccata & Fugue in D minor, and although I still enjoy Bach, I have found other music that I enjoy much more.  That said, here are my recommendations, some of which may hit the mark, some of which may not.

1. Shostakovich. OK, it looks like you've listening to some of his music, but I can't be sure which Shostakovich that is (he had about three distinct styles - light; playful; and dark and emotional).  I think the last style might give you some listening pleasure if you haven't already heard some of these works.  Try, for example, his 8th, 10th, and 11th symphonies, especially the slow movements. The slow movements of his piano concertos are also very beautiful.

2. Samuel Barber. Have you tried his symphonies, his violin concerto, and his cello concerto?  The slow movements are quite lyrical and moving.

3. Hovhaness.  Definitely give this music a go as it just might be what you're looking for.

4. Rodrigo. Try Conceierto de Aranjuez, and also his piano concerto.

5. Rachmaninov is worth a try too, such as his piano concertos and symphonies.

6. Debussy.

7. Mahler. His symphonies.

8. Vaughn-Williams. For example "The Lark Ascending".

Happy listening, and let us know what you think about this selection of music.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the recommendations.

You offer up some good names but there are simply too many pieces within each that I dont know where to start.
Also, based on my love for Arvo Part, I find these recommendations di-similar (I have Barners Concerto for Violin and Orchestra and I find some of Mahlers symphonies to "poppy" and old sounding).

Debussy I like but have no idea where to start.

Can you offer any specific pieces for each?

Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Avi. One way to do this is just to go to Amazon and search in "Music" for the composer. The most popular pieces will come up and you listen to samples for those.  However, here are some works to get you started.
Debussy - La Mer, Nocturnes - orchestral version - Nuages, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune.
Hovhannes - Prayer of St Gregory, Symphony no.2, And God Created Great Whales, Symphony no. 22
Vaughn-Williams - Symphony no.5, The Lark Ascending