Introduction

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.