Question Hello. I am new to classical music and was wondering if you could possibly give me some suggestions based on my preferences. I know many of these things are subjective, but I love music that is very complex, dramatic, and minor key, especially. I can't emphasize these qualities more. Also a particularly important componant is music with a heavily melodic style. I have trouble with dissonance, unless in small amounts.
Thus far I have been introduced [to a very small fraction of] works by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Vivaldi, Haydn, and Handel. (I realize some of them are from different musical periods). Of the little I have heard (in compilations and so forth) works that have made a tremendous impact on me are: Piano Sonata No. 17 in D. minor Op. 31, No 2 "Tempest" by Beethoven, The Hebrides, overture in B minor for orchestra 'Fingal's Cave' by Mendelssohn, Handel's Water Music, various works by Vivaldi (especially his Double Cello Concerto for two cellos, strings, & continuo in G minor RV 531, and various works by the other composers mentioned (too many to list them all).
Obviously what I decide to listen to is governed by mood, but partly because Vivaldi has been a recent find, I've been listening to a disk with selected works by him (separate from The Four Seasons) almost constantly; I really thoroughly enjoy his style, it aligns with my thinking. (The only trouble is I am sensitive to higher-pitched sounds and cannot handle too much violin; I have gravitated to his cello concertos). I find that lately throughout the day I am interested in Baroque, with generous doses of some of the other styles thrown in between. I love the sound of the harpsichord.
Though I do like my music with a punch, otherwise it becomes dull very rapidly.
Any suggestions you have are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Answer I'm shooting in the dark. There is so much music, and your tastes, which you are thinking you've defined, still don't give me a good sense. But building on what you've said you like:
Beethoven piano sonatas, Waldstein, Appassionata, Pathetique. Maybe, for a bigger adventure, his piano sonata Op. 111. Handel Fireworks Music. Cello concertos by Haydn, Brahms, Dvorak, Elgar.
You don't have any vocal music on your list. Nor Bach, even though you are gravitating towards Baroque. Many people put the B minor mass at the top of their list of greatest pieces ever, followed closely by his Matthew Passion. Bach's instrumental music would include the Brandenburg Concertos. There are also some terrific harpsichord concertos by Bach.
And, speaking of vocal music, Handel's oratorios are fabulous (including but not limited to his famous Messiah).
You may find some other Baroque composers worth exploring -- Torelli, Telemann, Corelli -- all contemporaries of Bach and Handel. For some really wonderful and odd harpsichord music, look into Scarlatti's keyboard sonatas.
If you can't stand violin concertos, that's ok. But there are a lot of piano concertos. Beethoven has five great ones. Brahms has two fabulous ones. Rachmaninoff has three great piano concertos -- also a wonderful cello sonata. Tchaikovsky has a couple fine piano concertos too.
If you find you like Tchaikovsky, you could explore his ballet and symphonic music. And, for a cello concerto, his Rococo Variations.
