Classical Music II

[hectorberlioz]

Just arrived in the mail. In the process of listening...

[Voronwen]

I admit that i have not yet read through this entire long thread, but it's good to see so much love for classical music here!

My favorite composers are Mozart (my all-time favorite), also Vivaldi and Corelli (i LOVE Baroque!!!! the "pastorale" from Corelli's Christmas Concerto was my wedding march ), Handel and Purcell.

I sing lots of Baroque and Classical period music as a light lyric soprano, so i have a special place in my heart for the operatic and oratorio works of these periods.

Favorite opera: The Magic Flute

Lately i've had an hours-long list of Mozart symphonies, piano concerti and divertimenti playing non-stop. I have a similar list of Vivaldi that gets played almost as much!

I'm such an 18th century girl!

I appreciate music of later periods though, as well, especially Dvořák - his Cello Concerto is my favorite.

Mmmm... now i want to hear my Dvořák playlist.


Edited to ask: Are there any other classical singers here?

[hectorberlioz]

Hi Voronwen!

As a matter of fact, Tessar is a singer. I believe he sings bass and tenor.

Dvorak is my second-favorite composer ever (after my namesake), and Mozart is way up there for me too (Symphony No.38 especially). Vivaldi is special to me: he has a wildness to his music that most other Baroque composer's didn't even approach. Have you heard his Concerto rv558? It's my favorite of his, which employs some unusual instruments as well. There's a wonderful disc on the Harmonia Mundi label called "Concertos for the Prince of Poland," which contains that particular concerto. I highly recommend it!

[Tessar]

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

Hi Voronwen!

As a matter of fact, Tessar is a singer. I believe he sings bass and tenor.

I wish I could sing Bass and Tenor . Operatically I can't, but I guess I do, chorally.

I've sung the Tenor II line before on a few occasions, but I get paid to sing the Bass II line. Chorally speaking I actually fit best into the Bass I part, but operatically speaking I'm a lyric baritone...


I am also a fan of baroque music. In fact my 'audition' piece for the moment is Si Tra I Ceppi by Handel. I love to sing it, and it's so easy that I can sing it whether I'm sick or healthy, but it's still a really interesting piece.

[Voronwen]

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

There's a wonderful disc on the Harmonia Mundi label called "Concertos for the Prince of Poland," which contains that particular concerto. I highly recommend it!

Hello and thank you for the rec, hectorberlioz!

And hello, Tessar! Ah, lyric baritone... my favorite male voice... My husband would be one, too, if only he would let me train him a little (he has sung in choirs and has a lovely smooth voice, though he thinks he can't sing! I believe anyone can learn... but i digress).

So, are you up for the "Bei mannern" duet from the Magic Flute? I'm a Pamina!

[Tessar]

Oh of course! I love Magic Flute! I'm hoping to do a scene as Papageno when I go to an opera workshop this summer... but I wont know what I've been assigned for probably another week or two.

[Voronwen]

Originally Posted by Tessar

I'm hoping to do a scene as Papageno when I go to an opera workshop this summer

Wonderful!! Have fun with that!

[Tessar]

Apparently I will be singing the duets from the beginning of Marriage of Figaro, one of the quintets from the Magic Flute, and some modern opera called "Gallantry." In Figaro I will, naturally, be Figaro. In Flute I'll be Pappageno. In Gallantry I'll be Dr. Gregg... it sounds like a very weird little opera, but I'm betting it'll be fun!

I'm so excited!

[Voronwen]

Oh, congratulations, Tessar! It does sound like you'll be having fun. I've never heard of "Gallantry" either, but you can't go wrong with all that Mozart! Good ol' Wolfie!!!

And, the Quintet!!!! That's SO much fun! If i'm guessing the right one (the one in the first act with Papageno, Tamino, and the Three Ladies), i think - though i don't have the score in front of me - that your only word will be "Hm" I know the First Lady's part in that one, having studied that role.

Modern opera can be interesting, definitely a learning experience. Last year my teacher gave me "Be Kind and Courteous" from Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream (Tytania's aria), and i performed it in a concert. It was definitely one of the more unusual pieces i've worked on.

[Tessar]

Yes, I'll be doing a lot of, "Hm hm hm HM HM HM, hm hm hm, hm hm hm, HM HM HM, hm hm hm hm!" But then they do take the lock off about 1/3rd of the way through, so I'll have a few lines to sing .


I had not heard Be Kind And Courteous before... I like some of the stuff Britton did, but I'm not super fond of his music in general. What an odd, but definitely beautiful, aria! I'll bet learning it was a pain in the tush tho'... doesn't seem like the piano ever gives you much of a hint on where to go!

[Voronwen]

Originally Posted by Tessar

I'll bet learning it was a pain in the tush tho'... doesn't seem like the piano ever gives you much of a hint on where to go!

This is the case with most modern music, from what i've gathered from other singers (i have not done very much of it, myself, as i'm more of a "baroque specialist" type). It IS a pain, in some ways, but the learning process can be very rewarding as it's fun to sing. Tytania's aria is beautiful, yes, and sits in a relentlessly high tessitura, so it was indeed difficult to learn on many levels. Once i got it into my voice and got a feel for the accompaniment though, it was lots of fun.

You'll have to keep us posted on your experience with the summer program! I'm always interested in what other singers are up to. You are, i'm guessing, going for a career? I was at one time, myself, but silly girl that i am, gave it up to get married No regrets, though. I still sing locally, every chance i get, still take lessons, and stay in practice. It's an addiction, isn't it? I once heard someone say that we don't choose music, music chooses us, and that it's not something we can ever truly walk away from because it will eventually just find us again.

[Tessar]

Originally Posted by Voronwen

You'll have to keep us posted on your experience with the summer program! I'm always interested in what other singers are up to.

Oh, same here. I LOVE hearing all about what other singers are up to, and whenever they learn anything new about a piece of music or their technique or just... anything. I love it.

You are, I'm guessing, going for a career? I was at one time, myself, but silly girl that i am, gave it up to get married No regrets, though.

I'm glad you're okay with your choice! Unfortunately I know too many singers who seem to regret having given up the chance at a career for a family... and I never really know what to say to them. O_o

Yes, I am aiming for a career. Originally I wasn't because I thought I had no potential... but my most recent teacher told me that he thought I had some potential, and a guy I took a lesson from today (whom I respect very much) told me that at this point he thinks the only reason I would fail to be capable of having a career is if I do something stupid. So I have my fingers crossed big time and I'm workin' my butt off .

I doubt I'll ever sing a lead at the Met. or anything, but hopefully getting leading roles at some slightly smaller opera companies wont be out of my grasp.

I still sing locally, every chance i get, still take lessons, and stay in practice. It's an addiction, isn't it? I once heard someone say that we don't choose music, music chooses us, and that it's not something we can ever truly walk away from because it will eventually just find us again.

I honestly think that's true. Some people just... they seem like they're going into singing because it's what they've always done and they figure they'll be good at it, not because they really, truly want it.

But some people, and I like to think I'm one of them, are just so passionate about it that we couldn't see ourselves doing anything else. I went into music even though I was afraid I had no potential, which in retrospect is really stupid... but thankfully it seems to be working itself out .

I think you're probably a great example of that passionate attitude, too.

Who do you take lessons from?

[Voronwen]

Originally Posted by Tessar

I'm glad you're okay with your choice! Unfortunately I know too many singers who seem to regret having given up the chance at a career for a family... and I never really know what to say to them.

I definitely am. The mainstream career path calls for a lot of traveling and being away from home (as you know), and once i got married i decided that my marriage would be my first priority in life, and that it wasn't fair to my husband for me to be away for months at a time. I didn't think that was good for a marriage. Many people seem to do ok with it, but it wasn't for me. The only pang i feel is because of right now having to live so far from any metropolitan areas, the opportunities are so few and far between But my husband is considering a career change himself in the nearish future, which would mean selling our beloved house, but the bright side to that is that i'd be near the city again and free to do a lot more again with my music than i've been doing while here. It's all about choices, truly... often very difficult ones. It's best to pursue this while you're still young and single.

My profiles still say "aspiring", though, because while i am no longer pursuing a full-time career, i am always keeping my eyes and ears open for local opportunities and keeping myself ready for them. One never knows. Of course, where i live now (the middle of nowhere), most of the opportunities are for concert work, not opera. But that's ok. As long as i get to work with colleagues of a certain calibre who appreciate my background and what i have to offer, i'm happy with the occasional chance to do so.

Yes, I am aiming for a career. Originally I wasn't because I thought I had no potential... but my most recent teacher told me that he thought I had some potential, and a guy I took a lesson from today (whom I respect very much) told me that at this point he thinks the only reason I would fail to be capable of having a career is if I do something stupid. So I have my fingers crossed big time and I'm workin' my butt off

GOOD for you!!! With that attitude, you'll go far!

You probably have a lot more potential than you think. Often we are our own worst critics. Listen to your teachers and those you work with (coaches, conductors, etc). They know what to look for, and if they're trustworthy, they won't steer you wrong.

I doubt I'll ever sing a lead at the Met. or anything, but hopefully getting leading roles at some slightly smaller opera companies wont be out of my grasp.

Keep in mind that it's not about where you sing, but how well If you have a very good technique and are dedicated to a certain standard of quality and excellence, you will still be able to move hearts, whether it's at the Met, or at your church (or anything in between).

But some people, and I like to think I'm one of them, are just so passionate about it that we couldn't see ourselves doing anything else. I went into music even though I was afraid I had no potential, which in retrospect is really stupid... but thankfully it seems to be working itself out

You do indeed seem to have the passion for it! I wish you all the best in your endeavors.

I think you're probably a great example of that passionate attitude, too.

I hope so. I guess it depends on how one defines it. Some would say that i'm not, because of my decision. But those who define it as that undeniable drive inside to continue to improve and to work at a certain level of quality, and to keep on singing come what may, would likely say that i am.

Who do you take lessons from?

My teacher is a college professor who had an international career of her own before she started teaching. She still sings internationally sometimes, in fact she just got back from a performance in Prague a few months ago.

I've so enjoyed our discussion on this thread. I'm always happy to be able to encourage a young singer!

[Tessar]

Listen to your teachers and those you work with (coaches, conductors, etc). They know what to look for, and if they're trustworthy, they won't steer you wrong.

I agree. The hardest part is figuring out who's trustworthy . But luckily I'm learning how to spot the good ones (I hope!).

Keep in mind that it's not about where you sing, but how well If you have a very good technique and are dedicated to a certain standard of quality and excellence, you will still be able to move hearts, whether it's at the Met, or at your church (or anything in between).

I'm wildly in love with you already . I entirely agree... If the technique is good then that's what's important. I would very much like, for the sake of my ego, to have a 'legacy' of singing in famous opera houses... But I've heard too many INCREDIBLE singers, who have never set foot on an opera stage, to think that being a lead in an opera is what makes you good.

I honestly believe that a lack of 'success' does not invalidate the effort you have made. Maybe I'll never have a career... maybe other, better, singers will constantly be hired instead of me. But that wont change the fact that I'm going to give it everything I've got, and my ultimate goal is to become the best singer that I can be and make something beautiful for other people to enjoy.

I believe that if I work hard SOMETHING good will happen. Hopefully with music, and hopefully it will be my current dreams... but whatever it is, I don't think I'll be let down in the end so long as I do my part of the work.

But those who define it as that undeniable drive inside to continue to improve and to work at a certain level of quality, and to keep on singing come what may, would likely say that i am.

Like I said... I've seen too many amazing singers who have never even worked professionally. The passion is all about how you deal with your gift.

[hectorberlioz]

I'm listening to Berlioz' "Symphonie fantastique," in celebration of a certain special birthday girl who purchased this piece

*throws a party*

[Earniel]

Hahah, don't let it get over your head. I've only just bought it, I may not even like it in the end. But I've got Vivaldi's Gloria and Bach's Magnificat, a compilation CD of classical pieces for wind instruments and a compilation of Gregorian chants to listen to first. And I'm still listening to Beethoven's 5th and 6th at the moment, so it may take me a while to even get there.

[hectorberlioz]

That's OK. I'm just glad you were curious enough to get it.

[Earniel]

*thinking: don't say it wasn't curiosity but because it was cheap, don't say it wasn't curiosity but because it was cheap, don't say it wasn't curiosity but because it was cheap*


Uhh...

Right.

[hectorberlioz]

Yeah, I guessed that was it

Five points from Gryffindor.

[Earniel]

Dude, not everybody has a vault full of gold like Harry Potter, ya know.