Classical Music: A How-To Guide for Beginners

Mahler. Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophone. Bernstein. Volumes I and II.

This is an overwhelming set. In college, I saw Mahler 2 in Cleveland, and I was overwhelmed. No one told me classical music could sound like this.

Mahler was an absolute composing genious. His orchestration is utterly unique. His music is about life and death, love and loss. It reaches the heights of God and man, and the depths of sorrow and despair.

This set has historical importance. Leonard Bernstein may be properly credited with interpreting Mahler for the modern world. He opened the world of Mahler to many with passion and total conviction. Sure, there were others composers before him (ie. Horenstein, Walter, Klemperer, Mitroupolos, Scherchen), but Bernstein, in my view, brought Mahler into real global popularity. Bernstein embraced all of the work, not just a piece here and there. I cut my teeth on this set for all Mahler symphonies, and I still get choked-up listening to it.

Bernstein plays these symphonies 'to the hilt', and gets away with it. He is able to extract every ounce of emotion and drama without sounding mannered. His 'heart-on-sleeve' approach is not the only point of view, but I find it highly effective and suitable. Bernstein also gets incredible playing from the New York Philharmonic, an orchestra led by Mahler himself for a few years.

Bernstein recorded these pieces for Sony and for DG. You will find proponents for each recording. I have several shelves of Mahler, attesting to the concept that their is no single best interpretation. Nonetheless, Bernstein's DG set makes a wonderful introduction to these symphonies with maximum impact. Mahler is less approachable from the first listen than Tchaikovsky, but after several listens, it all falls into place. Familiarity definitely helps here, so don't give-up without a few listens. These pieces also have huge sonic impact, and will satisfy the most discriminating audiophile.

great thread....thanks to all for the suggestions. have been getting into classical more in the past year or so but have been meandering around without much success. attempts to find "stuff i like" have been very hit and miss and often confusing. i know what it is i like....just didn't know where to find "it".

have already purchased a few titles mentioned early on in this thread and am really enjoying them. plan on getting a few more that have been mentioned.

this thread really helped point me in the right direction.

thanks again

cheers
Lev

Lev, I too have begun a quest to listen to more classical music. My question is in "understanding" classsical. Do we have to be musicians, which I am not,to understand this art? And if as a "non-musician" can I truly appreciate the music? And in reading classical reviews it occurs to me that I don't know what the hell they're talking about. It sounds more like a wine review rather than a music review. That said, I seem to gravitate towards the Baroque and Chamber music, as that seems to be more palpable, I guess because it's less "complicated" and a little more rythmic; i.e. you can actually whistle it. But I'll keep reading and listening because it is truly beautiful music and well worth sinking your teeth into.
A merlot will do til I can appreciate the cabernets.
donntn

spot on Donntn. couldn't agree with you more regarding simpler, more rhythmic works for beginners. i used the word "confused" in my previous post very deliberately. this is how i felt after listening to something complicated. i couldn't make sense of it so enjoying it was out of the question. maybe someday we will both learn to appreciate other types of classical?.

but then maybe we won't???however... i don't think not being a musician has anything to do with it

just like other genre's of music, there is some stuff i like and other stuff.... not so much. don't like *all* jazz, rock and blues so i'm ok with not liking all classical. what's great is i've (we have) found some "truly beautiful music" and are on a path to find more.

cheers and keep on whistling my friend!

Lev

The place to start is with classical radio. This is so easy in these days of streaming audio. Most major cities have classical music stations. This will be the easiest way to expose yourself to a wide range of the most loved compositions. Just listen and take note of what you like and don't like. That said, certain composers tend to have certain strengths. For instance, if you like beautiful melodies, Mozart and Schubert will be your guys. If vocal harmony is what moves you, Bach cannot be surpassed. Beethoven uses rhythm in ways that transform very simple tunes into the most profound musical statements. But all of these statements are generalizations. This is why classical radio is your friend. You may find it especially useful to listen for broadcasts of the concerts of major orchestras in the evenings. They are many times accompanied by lectures which will help you understand the music. Happy listening!