Classical albums

**Brandon Flynn** · May-28-2007, 5:22pm

I need help entering the world of classical music. I enjoy playning classical pieces on mandolin and enjoy the complexity of the music. I want to begin listening to classical music, but I don't know where to start. I like the sound of Bach and Tchaikovsky (is that spelled correctly?), but there are so many different recordings for all great classical composers. Single violin, entire orchestra, I don't know what to get! If you have suggestions for some albums, especially these two composers, I would love to hear about them!

**Jim Garber** · May-28-2007, 6:22pm

How about classical mandolin? There is a repertoire specifically for that, you know? Not as extensive as for violin, but nevertheless...

Some of this has been discussed and there were lots of recommendations in previous threads. Do a search for Bach, Tchaikovsky, or any other favorite composers, for instance.

Beethoven wrote for the mandolin as did Vivaldi. There are others not as well known out there.

Jim

**Eugene** · May-28-2007, 6:34pm

Lots has happened since, but here's a really old thread that might be a nice intro: click here.

**Brandon Flynn** · May-28-2007, 9:21pm

I did not know that Bach wrote some specifically for mandolin. If you could suggest some specific recordings that would be great (right now I am most interested to listening to classical music).

**Jim Garber** · May-28-2007, 9:37pm

Sorry for the confusion... no, Bach did not write for the mandolin, but others did. See above and to the link that Eugene refers.

Jim

**generankin** · May-29-2007, 9:55am

Originally Posted by (oflynny @ May 28 2007, 18:22)

I need help entering the world of classical music. I enjoy playning classical pieces on mandolin and enjoy the complexity of the music. I want to begin listening to classical music, but I don't know where to start. I like the sound of Bach and Tchaikovsky (is that spelled correctly?), but there are so many different recordings for all great classical composers. Single violin, entire orchestra, I don't know what to get! If you have suggestions for some albums, especially these two composers, I would love to hear about them!

Know what's great fun to play, even if your skill level (like mine) isn't all that marvelous? #Renaissance dance music. #Try these CDs: "Playing With Fire" by the Folger Consort, or "Giorgio Mainerio: Il Primo Libro de Balli", by Ensemble Consort Veneto (has one of my faves on it: Schiarazula Marazula).

Gene Rankin

**Brandon Flynn** · May-29-2007, 1:42pm

Originally Posted by (jgarber @ May 28 2007, 22:37)

Sorry for the confusion... no, Bach did not write for the mandolin, but others did. See above and to the link that Eugene refers.

Jim

Sorry. I was not confused, I meant to write that I didn't know Beethoven wrote for mandolin. The link is very good

**testore** · May-29-2007, 3:38pm

To me, the most beautiful things are the Barber violin concerto, the Beethoven violin concerto, the Borodin string quartets,Brahms string quartets and sextets,the Prokofiev violin concerto,the Tchaikovsky(sp.) violin concerto and alomost anything Bach wrote. It's a great explore, enjoy it.

**JimD** · May-29-2007, 4:16pm

Mozart -- Clarinet Concerto
Debussy -- Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp
Beethoven -- Piano Sonata opus 109
Webern -- Symphony Op. 21
Ockeghem -- anything
Cage -- Sonatas and Interludes

ok -- the last three are a bit more of an acquired taste -- but try them, you may acquire it...

**Neil Gladd** · May-29-2007, 9:16pm

If you are new to classical music, I would start with shorter works, like Domenico Scarlatti's harpsichord sonatas. They are about the same length as a pop song, very cool, and if you like them, there are over 500 more. And he wrote some for the mandolin, too!

**Bob A** · May-29-2007, 10:18pm

A bit obscure, but Tartini's Devil's Trill sonata, recorded as a violin solo by Andrew Manze, is pretty hot; but what I like best on that CD is his excerpts from Tartini's Art of Bowing, with its variations on a theme by Corelli. I give it a run-thru nearly daily. FWIW, my two-month-old granddaughter really enjoys ther as well, though the more complex variations seem to lose her. But she'll come along in time.

**Martin Jonas** · May-30-2007, 4:44am

Originally Posted by (oflynny @ May 29 2007, 14:42)

Sorry. I was not confused, I meant to write that I didn't know Beethoven wrote for mandolin. The link is very good

I recommend you check out the Beethoven pieces, not only in recorded versions but also for your own playing. The two sonatinas in C-major and in C-minor in particular are well within the reach of the intermediate amateur mandolin player and are great fun to play. The C-minor is my personal favourite.

Martin