Let the Games Begin: The Classical Music Draft, Part I

[Iceblink]

Let's hear a shoutout for ELP!

They did like their Copland.

Actually, we could have mentioned ELP when "Pictures at an Exhibition" was selected.

[Norsk Troll]

I think some rock group also did a take on "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from Peer Gynt, I have vague recollections of hearing that from the stereo of some older boys playing basketball, when I was 4 or 5 during a "vacation" with the family at a campground. (so, we're talking c. 1971).

[Karl K]

For my 5th pick in the Classical Music Draft I select:

Elgar's Cello Concert E Minor, Op 85

The most famous rendition of the concerto is, of course, done by the late Jacqueline Du Pré, on EMI records, with Sir John Baribolli and London Symphony. This is a version that everyone should have in their collection, and one of the first classical CDs I ever purchased.

She plays it as though as if it were written solely for her; it can be quirky a bit, but there's no doubting the heartfelt emotion she conveys.

Jacqueline Du Pré was of course the wife of Daniel Barenboim; her death from multiple sclerosis cut short what would have been a stellar career.

Someone has ripped the well-known BBC documentary of Du Pré on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Du+Pr%C3%A9%2C&search=Search

I haven't see this for many years, but I think there's a segment where Barenboim is on the piano, Perlman on violin, Pinchas Zucherman on viola, Zubin Mehta on bass, and Du Pré on cello. All of them I think were in the 20s at the time, and represent one of great generations of classical music artists.

[Norsk Troll]

For my 5th Round Selection:

Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36

by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Although I like so many of his works, and although some may think his *** is a better symphony, this is the pinnacle of his music for me. I'm glad it lasted this long. It is nearly impossible to sit through this raucous and wonderfully exciting piece, and not want to leap from your seat at the end and begin shouting. It's as if the finale is so vigourous that it creates a whirlwind of energy, sweeping you up onto your feet. I happen to have the Solti recording with Chicago. His and the Chicago's traits seem aptly suited to the piece, though there are so many recordings you can certainly find one that suits you best.

In college, I tended to spend my summers on campus. One summer, while living in the frat house, I noticed that the frat across the street had two young women practicing violin in the late evenings (they were put up there as part of a summer music progam). I'd watch from my window as the one I liked would slowly pace back and forth in front of her window as she played, entirely in silhouette behind a white curtain. She had long dark hair, and would wear a light, wispy dress or nightgown, and I was entranced. So with the windows open anyway because of the heat, I thought I'd use my classical collection to lure her over. Of course, there were a handful of other brothers in my house, so I was also limited to things they might not absolutely hate (ie. - loud, bombastic, etc. was OK ... delicate, piano, not so much). Well, sure enough, it was Tchaik's 4th that first got her attention (I know, it would make a better story if it was Tchaik's ***** *** ******, but perhaps the sheer volume I played the 4th at was what was needed). We eventually got to chatting, and saw a bit of each other over the summer, but when the music program ended, that was all for us as well.

Musical Program:
Beethoven's 9th Sym.
Wagner's Tristan und Isolde
Mahler's 8th Sym.
Grieg's Peer Gynt
Tchaikovsky's 4th Sym.

[DoctorD]

For my 5th Round Selection:

Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36

by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Great choice. His answer to Beethoven's 5th?

I bought the recording on Chandros by the Oslo symphony (a Gramophone recommended recording) and it is excellent.

[Ghost]

Do you guys realize that out of 16 drafters, 14 of us have posted picks today? Now THAT's the way to have a draft!!!!

Sure, but it robs the game of all the buildup and suspense -- will someone take my choice? Should I change strategy? etc. There's no rambling conversations between posters, no opportunity for someone to start the "10 best classical pieces to get a girl in the sack" lists. There's no purifying suffering. And it will be over in like five or six days, rather than stretching to epic length.

This is the indoor soccer version of the draft format.

[sardus_pater]

My 5th pick is

Philip Glass - Music in twelve parts

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000005J29.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I like minimalism and this post is minimalist. :p

btw great stuff for those who appreciate it.

[Norsk Troll]

Sure, but it robs the game of all the buildup and suspense -- will someone take my choice? Should I change strategy? etc. There's no rambling conversations between posters, no opportunity for someone to start the "10 best classical pieces to get a girl in the sack" lists. There's no purifying suffering. And it will be over in like five or six days, rather than stretching to epic length.

This is the indoor soccer version of the draft format.In the 24 hours before the rules were changed: 16 posts.

In the 24 hours after the rule change went into effect: 41 posts.

I think it's actually increased attention and conversation.

[scottinkc]

For my fifth pick, I choose:

Beethoven- Symphony no.8

I was torn between choosing this symphony, or the more popular one still remaining, but in the end I had to go for this one. It's my favorite Beethoven symphony. No, it's not his greatest work, or his longest, or his most innovative, but it is a fun piece. It was written about the same as the 7th, and yet is almost a polar opposite. A very light, fun, classical style. I have a smile on my face just thinking about it.

[GringoTex]

Leos Janacek: On the Overgrown Path, Piano Sonata

[DoctorD]

For my fifth pick, I choose:

Beethoven- Symphony no.8

I was torn between choosing this symphony, or the more popular one still remaining, but in the end I had to go for this one. It's my favorite Beethoven symphony. No, it's not his greatest work, or his longest, or his most innovative, but it is a fun piece. It was written about the same as the 7th, and yet is almost a polar opposite. A very light, fun, classical style. I have a smile on my face just thinking about it.On my first pick I criticized Rattle's version of the 7th. The companion piece on the album is the 8th and he does a great job with it. Go figure.

[Sachsen]

For my fifth pick, I choose:

Beethoven- Symphony no.8

I was torn between choosing this symphony, or the more popular one still remaining, but in the end I had to go for this one. It's my favorite Beethoven symphony. No, it's not his greatest work, or his longest, or his most innovative, but it is a fun piece. It was written about the same as the 7th, and yet is almost a polar opposite. A very light, fun, classical style. I have a smile on my face just thinking about it.

When the 8th was first performed, critics dissed it, thinking Beethoven had gone a step backward from the 7th. He dismissed the critics, and said they didn't understand the 8th, because it was "so much better" than the 7th!!

[Norsk Troll]

I think some rock group also did a take on "In the Hall of the Mountain King" from Peer Gynt, I have vague recollections of hearing that from the stereo of some older boys playing basketball, when I was 4 or 5 during a "vacation" with the family at a campground. (so, we're talking c. 1971).Did a little looking, and it was probably Electric Light Orchestra (ELO, coincidentally, given the references to ELP that triggered the memory), which did a track based upon Grieg's piece on their 1973 album, "On the Third Day". I'd need to listen to the whole thing to remember for sure, but that's more than likely it.

[Panfilo]

Night on Bald Mountain- Modest Mussorgsky

I needed a Russian. Tchaikovsky is too German and has been picked many times already.

Mussorgsky to me is the main figure in Russian classical music.

This piece although edited several times is dark, luminous and brilliant.

The opening can send chills to everyone.

I have to admit, first exposure to this was Fantasia so of course my favorite version of it would be by Leopold Stokowski.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_Stokowski)

[scottinkc]

, no opportunity for someone to start the "10 best classical pieces to get a girl in the sack" lists. .

I propose we suspend the draft and work on this list instead.


When the 8th was first performed, critics dissed it, thinking Beethoven had gone a step backward from the 7th. He dismissed the critics, and said they didn't understand the 8th, because it was "so much better" than the 7th!!

Damn snobs. They probably hated soccer too.

[Haole]

My fifth pick:

Five Preludes for Guitar (1940), Villa-Lobos

http://www.museuvillalobos.org.br/vilreco.gif


Heitor Villa-Lobos is one of my favorites. Both as a composer and larger-than-life presence in the history of Brazilian and modern classical music.

The Preludes were famously recorded by Julian Bream, whom for many, is one of the premier interpreters of this uniquely challenging and strikingly beautiful music for guitar. Many a guitar-playing student I met in the 1960's-'70's can point to Bream's recordings as a key factor in their decision to study the instrument and Villa-Lobos' exotic language. The Preludes are mainstays in the concert guitarist's repertoire and make for bravura encores.

Villa-Lobos often identified himself as an untrained, nationalist composer deeply in love with the musical styles of his native Brazil. He was quite modest. His catalogue of work is enormous and his style is, to this day, wonderfully fresh and inviting. A sophisticated composer in many forms, he remains to this day as creator of one of the most unique musical languages of the 20th century.

[Norsk Troll]

the "10 best classical pieces to get a girl in the sack" lists. I propose we suspend the draft and work on this list instead.Well, Haole did pick Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2. That always worked for me.

[Haole]

Well, Haole did pick Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2. That always worked for me.

Remember the days of supermarket end-aisle displays with cheesy looking albums of 'Romantic Favorites' or 'The World's Most Beloved Melodies'?

Born under the spell of Sergei.

[Sachsen]

My fifth pick:

Five Preludes for Guitar (1940), Villa-Lobos

http://www.museuvillalobos.org.br/vilreco.gif


Heitor Villa-Lobos is one of my favorites. Both as a composer and larger-than-life presence in the history of Brazilian and modern classical music.

The Preludes were famously recorded by Julian Bream, whom for many, is one of the premier interpreters of this uniquely challenging and strikingly beautiful music for guitar. Many a guitar-playing student I met in the 1960's-'70's can point to Bream's recordings as a key factor in their decision to study the instrument and Villa-Lobos' exotic language. The Preludes are mainstays in the concert guitarist's repertoire and make for bravura encores.

Villa-Lobos often identified himself as an untrained, nationalist composer deeply in love with the musical styles of his native Brazil. He was quite modest. His catalogue of work is enormous and his style is, to this day, wonderfully fresh and inviting. A sophisticated composer in many forms, he remains to this day as creator of one of the most unique musical languages of the 20th century.

Well dadgum. I was hoping to be the first to pick Villa-Lobos. You didn't pick the work I'd pick, but still...

[Sachsen]

Michael K., NGV, YankHibee, and Ghost are the only ones who haven't posted their 5th round pick. As soon as they do, I will update the Big Board.

Round 6 starts Sept. 23rd at 4:31am Tegucigalpa time.