classical recommendations similar to the 9th II?

[supervij]

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I finally picked up a surround SACD of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. To be honest, I picked it up mainly for the second movement. I've loved that piece for years, ever since some friends of mine in high school shot a silent film and set the second movement as its background score. Fit perfectly, too.

I listened to the whole 9th today, and while some of it is very good, most of it is just not my cup of tea. I like the second movement because it's very stirring, strong, and forceful. I'll even admit to liking its structure. It's not wild and all over the place like the rest of the 9th. Can anyone recommend some really good classical music that's in the same vein as the second movement of the 9th?

cheers,
supervij

PS: Yeah, I know, I probably sound like a dope to any and all classical enthusiasts, and I'll accept that. All I can say is I know what I like and I like what I know.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

Hey, you gotta start somewhere!

I think you're relating in part to the powerful orchestration and, especially, the strong rhythmic drive. It is next to impossible to find movements of classical works individually, so here are some works you may find to your taste at least in part:

Beethoven's 5th and 7th symphonies.

Prokofiev's 5th symphony, as well as other works by him, (Russians are big on propulsive rhythm). His Alexander Nevsky Suite may not be entirely your liking but some of it, especially "The Battle on the Ice", kicks ***. He originally wrote it as movie music! Also check out his "Lieutennant Kije" suite and 3rd piano concerto.

Tchaikowsky (another Russian) 4th and 5th symphonies.

Mussorgsky (yep, another Russkie) "Night on Bald Mountain" (a single movement "tone poem", not a symphony. Often paired on CD with another blockbuster).

Schostakovich (da, comrade!) Symphonies #5 and #6.

Gustav Holst, "The Planets", especially the Mars and Jupiter movements. In spite of his German sounding name he was English, btw.

 

[johndoe]

I second Ludwig's 5th and 7th. The 5th's first movement is the famous one, but the second movement is the beautiful one.
Also, you might enjoy Mozart's Requiem. It has a lot of variety.
And check out Haydn's Symphony 45 a.k.a. The Farewell. If you can catch it live it's quite emotional.

 

[tomd51]

If you haven't seen the movie Amadeus, I'd recommend it. If you do and enjoy it, which is very likely, I can almost guarantee you'll enjoy the first track from the 'Amadeus' soundtrack, Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K. 183; 1st movement. It's very bold, similar to this piece, yet has it's own style likely due to the difference in composers.

I'm fairly confident in saying this only because I myself have found very few classical compositions hold up the way 'Molto vivace' has for me over the years as well. I recently purchased a 5.1 DVD of Symphonies 7, 8 and 9 and every time I listen to that piece, I can listen to it at reference level plus and never get tired of it! -TD

 

[supervij]

Powerful orchestration and strong, rhythmic drive -- yup, that's what gets me about the second movement of the 9th, Rip. I've found myself humming those passages quite a bit lately. Thanks, you guys, for the recommendations. I'll take a look around for these, especially the 5th and 7th. And I've always wanted to see Amadeus, so now I have an excellent reason to check it out. Thanks everyone!

cheers,
supervij

 

[UFObuster]

beethoven on dvd

yep...
it's a little dated...but try out the Herbert Von Karajan "Legacy" DVDs....I personally liked the disc combo of the 6th and 7th symphonies.....(Beethoven of course).
Pros: good remastering...dolby digital (DDD)..by Sony Classical.
you get the actual Berliner Philharmoniker in action...you might say this
is an action movie of Beethoven.
Cons: a little too much von Karajan and not enough philharmonik. The shots
are mostly too tight, narrow angled...but they are close up and you really see some
playing.

Overall: just listening is OK...but remember, when this stuff was written, people went to it and looked at this stuff being played. A CD is good but a dimension short of real life.....however, a DVD (video) brings you very close to the real thing letting you see AND hear the music like it was always meant to be.

Try it...you'll like it.

 

[tbewick]

yep...

Pros: good remastering...dolby digital (DDD)..by Sony Classical.
you get the actual Berliner Philharmoniker in action...you might say this
is an action movie of Beethoven.

Sorry to nit-pick, but DDD means that a digital tape recorder was used in session recording, mixing/editing, and mastering. Normal CD's can be DDD.

If you have broadband supervij, you can access BBC Radio 3 programmes, which have no adverts. Radio 3 is superb for all kinds of classical music, jazz, and world music.

I recently picked up a stereo CD/SACD hybrid of Stravinsky's The Firebird (Suite, 1919 version) and music from Prince Igor, by Alexander Borodin. These are with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Robert Shaw. You'll probably recognise the music from Prince Igor. I'd recommend this Telarc recording for its excellent sound quality and enjoyable performance. It's a good disc to show off your hi-fi to friends.

 

[UFObuster]

Sorry to nit-pick, but DDD means that a digital tape recorder was used in session recording, mixing/editing, and mastering. Normal CD's can be DDD.

Exactly,
..however, since this recording was made in 1982, it's no small thing.

 

[tbewick]

Sorry to nit-pick, but DDD means that a digital tape recorder was used in session recording, mixing/editing, and mastering. Normal CD's can be DDD.
Exactly,
..however, since this recording was made in 1982, it's no small thing.

Sorry, I thought you meant DDD meant Dolby Digital.

Cons: a little too much von Karajan and not enough philharmonik.

His LP's are just like that - enormous glossy pictures of him looking thoughtful or dramatic. I do like the Charles MacKerras version (EMI label, DDD) of the fifth symphony. It's a very brisk and enlivening performance.