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11-11-2006, 10:25 AM
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 I recently started listening to classical (and other forms of instrumental) music. I did this mainly as a way to help me focus while reading. Ive noticed (okay, i read this on one of steves blogs, then i realized it was true) that lyrical music is distracting while you read. So i still listen to my rock music-ill never give that up- but i listen to classical (and im looking for some techno, and other up beat instrumental music) while im reading, or trying to concentrate on something.      |
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11-11-2006, 10:39 AM
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| I do a lot and I really find it ups my focus on whatever I'm doing. I listen to traditional classical, some more experimental/alternative classical (Most notably Symphonic Chronicles) and soundtracks (videogame soundtracks, actually - mainly Heroes of Might and Magic III and Halo). |
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11-11-2006, 11:18 AM
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| Yes I listen to classical music most of the time. It is the only form of music that I have found that can be played whilst i work or study without being put off by it. I particularly like Haydn, Bruch, Chopin & Mendelssohn currently.
__________________ The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. (Thoreau) |
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11-11-2006, 12:05 PM
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| yeah i get the same feeling, i mean i like listening to my music but classical seems to be really good in becoming relaxed or boosting energy and concentrating properly. I have the same experience with music with words during study. Its pretty much impossible for me to read and listen to music with words. i started listening to classical because a guy i used to know loved heavy metal but then started getting depressed and fatigued. Anyway now he listens to classical music only and he swears it has given him energy,focus and hes not depressed anymore. |
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11-11-2006, 12:35 PM
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| I prefer New Age to Classical. But I do like Classical sometimes.
__________________ Wonder at the stars, love of the wilderness, enjoyment of the arts, are a human birthright. - Simon Blackburn (Prof. of Philosophy at Cambridge Uni) |
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11-11-2006, 01:37 PM
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| For relaxation and meditation, try pieces from the baroque period, especially try J.S. Bach. The Goldberg Variations are simply the most perfect selection I have ever heard. Most experts agree that the best rendering was done by Glenn Gould, in his 1955 concert; he did it again in the early 80's ('82?), but I (and most others) prefer the 1955. Listen to samples here
__________________ Freelance SEO Writer For Hire |
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11-11-2006, 02:09 PM
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| I listen to classical quite religiously. I love Prokofiev, Sibelius, Brahms, and Chopin.
__________________ Sleep |
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11-11-2006, 02:13 PM
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| Baroque a few months ago i started listening to baroque music (vivaldi, bach, albinoni, ...) It keeps my brain stimlated for studying and it is perfect music to find myself when i'm stressed or tired ... . Just listen to the high tones and amazingly perfect variations. My favorite number is "winter" of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. when i first listened to it, it was playing pretty loud. The beginning of the part touched me deep inside, it gave me a feeling like WAW. i really loved it, and still do! and then the rest of the song is really amazing, such a masterpiece ! aah  nice.
__________________ The next best thing |
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11-11-2006, 04:32 PM
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| Its sad, but I'm one of the very few young people in high school that enjoys classical music (along with most other genres). Vivaldi is one of my favourites. I'm also really into soundtracks from films and videogames. |
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11-11-2006, 05:01 PM
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| I do listen to classical music. My favourites are Bach and Shostakovich. I also like Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Chopin. I think the most inspiring pieces are the two books of WTC (Well Temperated Clavier) by Bach. The Art of the Fugue by Bach is also incredible. |
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11-11-2006, 05:54 PM
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I also love some of Rachmaninov's pieces. I love Finlandia by Sibelius and much of his other stuff.
__________________ The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. (Thoreau) |
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11-11-2006, 10:29 PM
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| I've started listening to classical music myself, for many of the reasons already stated here. Although the only classical I currently own is that of Mozart. But seeing all these others being listed, I'm taking notes for sure! |
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11-11-2006, 10:51 PM
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| I actually listen to a mix of classical and videogame music, including the remixed stuff. (Well, and other stuff.) Take a look at OverClocked ReMix - Unofficial Game Music Arrangement Community and see if you find anything interesting. Not all of it's good, of course... One of the advantages of classical music is that the bad stuff has had a couple hundred years to quietly exit our memories.
__________________ "I read, I interpret, I think, I criticize, I oppose, I listen, I write, I question, I reply, I quote, I tell, I name, I discuss, I interpolate..., I learn, I teach, I live, therefore I am." -- Marc-Alain Ouaknin, "Mysteries of the Kabbalah", p383. Favorite Essays I Wrote: love, identity & growth, economics, education, equality, definitions. Recent Books I liked: Anansi Boys, Fly By Night, Hyperion. |
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11-12-2006, 03:12 AM
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His symphonies (my favorites are 5 and 7), tone poems (favorites are pohjola's daughter, en saga), karelia suite (very colorful), and of course his violin concerto -- they're all great.
__________________ Sleep |
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11-12-2006, 03:56 AM
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| In terms of recent symphonies, I'm in love with Danny Elfman's Serenada Schizophrana, that he was commissioned to write. Absolutely beautiful and expressive. Danny Elfman I've loved a lot of his work in the past, but this just plain rocked. And I'm sorry to say, but I tried listening to some of the Bach's music (Goldberg variations) and I just didn't care for it. I think I prefer more...hmm, film-like music? Some type of atmosphere or something in it (I don't know how to describe it). Listening to Bach, it just felt very...static. Anyone have any recommendations? |
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11-12-2006, 06:35 AM
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| I am an avid fan of classical music, and most of the non-classical music I enjoy has classical influences. |
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11-12-2006, 06:53 AM
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| I feel the need to recommend Max Richter to the people in this thread. He composes his own music and has released two albums: Memoryhouse and The Blue Notebooks. (Slight update: After visiting his site just now, I found out he is releasing another album as well, called Songs from Before). Here's his site (with samples): maxrichter.com
__________________ We Await Silent Trystero Empire |
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11-12-2006, 09:14 AM
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| When I was at high school, I didn't appriciate the classical music. But then I went to UK and stumbled upon Classic FM - radio station that broadcasts classical music. And I realized that this is the kind of music that helps to filter external noises and doesn't distract me from study. So I used it. Then, gradually I learned to appriciate it. Now I prefer earplugs and total silence, when I need concentration, but still love classical music.
__________________ Ilya. |
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11-12-2006, 09:38 AM
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I agree that Finlandia may get more of the limelight but I dont neglect his other works. For a compact piece of pleasure try 'Romance in C'  BTW - Sir John Barbirolli conducting the Halle Orchestra (EMI Sibelius Edition) is a masterpiece.
__________________ The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. (Thoreau) |
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11-12-2006, 11:38 AM
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| I love J.S. Bach so much.
__________________ http://miloriano.com: Young man’s journey to become a CEO & succeed |
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11-12-2006, 11:42 AM
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For me, Bach and Mozart only started to open up their musical messages after I listened to them over and over and over again, and after I was already familiar with a lot of classical music. I personally thought the WTC was flat and sterile, but once you become truly familiar with it, it opens up into one of the most beautiful collection of pieces you'll ever know. It's hard to explain, but I find Bach's messages very subtle and requiring a fair amount of familiarity with the works. So if you don't like Bach, then try Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, etc before giving up on classical music.
__________________ Sleep |
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11-12-2006, 12:43 PM
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| Totally agree that Bach is not easy at all. Same about Shostakovich. But try listening Bach's WTC or Shostakovich's first violin concerto for a few times and you'll get addicted! I had a period of about a month when I couldn't listen anything but Shostakovich's violin concerto. Over and over again! It's really deep. And yes, I also recommend things like Chopin or Vivaldi for the beginning. Beethoven's piano sonatas are also a good start. |
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