Of the 4 recommendations I list here, if you can only have 1 recording, then this one would be my choice. Featuring Mstislav Rostropovich as the lead Cellist, and backed by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra led by Herbert von Karajan, it is an impecible performance. Strong, bold and rich in its tones and melodies, this performance is hard pressed to be beat unless you are looking for an extra touch to this classical piece offered by my other recommendations.



 As hard as it is to beat my first recommendation, Jacqueline Du Pre herself is an outstanding performer and many critics list this particular performance as one of her best, recorded at the hieght of her career. Coupled with Saint-Saens Cello Concerto, it is an absolute pleasure to listen to. You definately can not go wrong with this recording.

I have a confession. I am not the biggest fan of Yo-Yo Ma. He is a fabulous muscian with probably the widest repetior of any Cellist present or past. It is because of this huge variety though that I think his music lacks something for me in many of his recordings. This one however is of note, not only because of Dvorak's Cello Concerto, but also some of Dvorak's lesser known pieces which are paired with it in this CD.

This particular recording has made the list, because it features one of the top orchestra's in the world and also features Dvorak's two most notably works of art: Cello Concerto as well as Symphony No. 9. This recording is recommended for the buyer who is looking for a small and concise classical collection, getting 2 of Dvorak's best works on one CD.

Please note that all pics are linked to their respective CD's at Arkiv Music, the best place to buy classical music IMO. Enjoy!

Gutav Mahler is one of my favorite composers (it is true I have several "favorites") and his symphonies are worlds of art. Listening to them in order is quite a task however, as each is almost exhausting to listen to, taking you on such an emotional roller coaster that simply must be heard foremost, versus listening to these works of art as background music.

I have all of his symphonies twice if not more. Bernstein is an awesome conductor of Mahler's works - indeed I prefer his conducting to his composing and he tackles Mahler with gusto. Trying not to sound too much of a musical snob however, you simply have to listen to Mahler with one of the better orchestras and conductors. Mahler's music is very complex both in it's subtler moments as it is in his "in your face" ones. As such, it is my opinion that lesser orchestras simply can't compete.

This stated however, as part of my Music Appreciation class at JSCC, I have to attend a concert and our very own Alabama Symphony Orchestra will be playing Mahler in April I believe it is and I have chosen that concert to go to and make my report.

One of the best sources of Mahler's symphonies - reviews and learning more about the pieces themselves can be found at the following link. It is one of my favorite sites and I am slowly collecting these master works of art.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/mahler/index.html

Antonin Dvorak is one of my favorite composers. Cello concertos are one of my favorite classical music to listen to (from various periods). Add in Rostropovich, one of my favorite Cello players of all time and now you are talking about one of my favorite pieces of all time.

One of the things I enjoy most about classical music is listening to various takes on the same piece of music. Taking Dvorak's Cello Concerto for example, two Cellists come immediately to mind. Rostropovich and his strong playing style with this piece, belting out the notes and taking center stage of your senses from the very first movement. Du Pre and her lighter style adds a grace that is unparalleled. Depending on my mood dictates who it is I wish to listen to at the moment. Rostropovich brings with him a very classical interpretation of the piece and why I chose it to share in this post.

When listening to great works of art such as this, I find it helpful to find two or three (and sometimes more) recordings to listen to. Different key players, conductors and ensembles each bring to the table a varied expression that is often quite interesting and enjoyable. Changing the mood, feeling and even experience of listening to these pieces of art.

Tonight was a big start for me. For the first time in over 22 years I stepped foot back into a college class room. My first class was in Music Appreciation 101. Now, I've been listening to classical music for a couple of years now and have really enjoyed it. So much in fact that this blog has been on my to-do list ever since. Since tonight started a new journey I figured why not start this one as well. For starters, it may even help me focus on the class.

So, how did a guy like me get started in classical music. It was during a conversation with my wife when we were courting, that she made a baffling statement - at least to me, at that time. "European orchestra's play the 1812 Overture so much better than American ones in general." Intrigued by this statement I set off to listen to many many recordings of Tchaikovsky's 1812. It was during this time I made two discoveries. The first was that European orchestra's, in general do play the 1812 Overture not only differently but in my humble opinion now as well - better than American orchestra's. With a few exceptions, which I would say are on par.

The second discovery was a recording of 1812 by Antal Dorati, which played the 1812 not only as composed, but including the cannon and clarion aspects of the piece per period equipment as well. Thus becoming one of the only recorded versions of 1812 that is played exactly as composed. Startled by these revelations I began to listen to other pieces of classical music and the rest is history.

I am still a newb when it come to classical music. However, what I have learned is that I am a bit of a snob when it comes to classical music. I prefer the higher-end orchestra's and conductors as well as the top notch musicians in their respective places in the symphony. Not a snob in the sense of thinking I know better or that my tastes are better than others, but in my own enjoyment of the pieces and savor many works that I hold to a high standard. I am sure as this blog develops you'll get the picture.

A couple things about this blog. First, as a 3/4-time college student, a business owner (photography business), a full time outside sales professional, member of my church's board of directors, husband, father, animal owner, writer, reader and gamer; this blog will be kept up to date as time and desire fits. So you won't be seeing too many regular updates here. I am sure over the course of the next couple of months will be one of its busiest times when it comes to new posts, but don't expect it to last. Secondly, this blog will be a collection of thoughts, reviews, tidbits and trivia. Photos and videos may be posted from time to time as well, only because I am a strong believer in graphical elements in a blog.

Thanks for reading this introduction and I look forward to sharing more in the near future.