The Music That Shaped Me (part 3 of 4)

August 18, 2016 No Comment

Part 3 of 4 – CLASSICAL MUSIC
In the mid 80’s I was introduced to classical music through someone I was in a relationship with who was an art teacher and a lover of the ballet. Her department head was a big classical music fan and would often invite us to the symphony.

Even back then I had a great appreciation for music and would jump at the chance to see and hear anything musical (even musicals, of which I’m still not a big fan. But that’s another story). I was so intrigued by the enormity of the compositions and the variety of instruments that I just had to learn as much as I could about classical music.

So I started buying books and magazines, read up on the different periods and the composers affiliated with each. I bought huge amounts of CDs (which at the time was just becoming a popular media). I was almost as hooked as I was on jazz (did I just write that?).

I must say, I really do enjoy and have an huge appreciation for classical music. I wish I could say the same for it’s sub genre, the opera. I could never really get into it.

My favorite periods are the Baroque and the 20th century periods and my favorite pieces from each are Vivaldi‘s ‘The Four Seasons‘ and Stravinsky‘s ‘Rite of Spring‘. If you’ve heard my music, you will no doubt find a lot my tracks have some of that dramatic sense ingrained in me from listening to the likes of Mussorgsky, Prokofiev and Shostakovich.

Here are the composers that shaped my classical me. There are of course many others that I love but these are my major influences. To make things easy I’ve arranged them in their musical periods. I’ve also chosen pieces that are more popular that you may have heard at some point in your musical journey. Again I’ve chosen videos that show the music being performed. For me it’s the best way to really appreciate it other than being there yourself.

THE BAROQUE PERIOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehbar90jHz8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS86maxUnXk

THE CLASSICAL PERIOD