For the sake of this post, “classical” refers to orchestral, choral, and/or solo instrumental works from any period, spanning Baroque through the Modern Era.
I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t listening to classical music. When everyone else was listening to the Backstreet Boys or N*SYNC, I was busy tuning in to Classic 99. (To this day, I don’t have a stance on the boy band allegiance question.) So yes, I consider myself a classical music nerd.
Even at 25, I am still happiest at work when I have classical music in the background. Holst’s The Planets continues to be one of my favorite works, years after I bought the London Symphony Orchestra’s recording. I saw The Planets in concert at the Seattle Symphony in 2012, and am so excited to see the St. Louis Symphony perform this majestic work on closing weekend in May.
Ryan’s reply got me thinking. What are my top ten?
I’ve been pondering this question all week, and I’ve come to a conclusion. The overwhelming majority of my favorite classical pieces (whether an orchestral work or short piano selection) have some kind of emotional significance.
So here goes. (For your enjoyment, I’ve included YouTube links to recordings of each piece or work.)
10. Finlandia (Jean Sibelius)
I still haven’t figured out why I love Finlandia so much. Is it the percussion? The minutes-long buildup to that melody that every classical music fan recognize? The way the music seems to capture the beautiful (yet frozen) Scandinavian environment? Still don’t know, but I love it anyway.
9. Fanfare for the Common Man (Aaron Copland)
I thought that this was part of the Apollo 13 soundtrack (and we all know one of the reasons why I love that movie), but I might have made that up. Still, I have a major soft spot for Aaron Copland’s music. I have always enjoyed Americana art (think Thomas Hart Benton or George Caleb Bingham) and Copland’s music is a perfect extension of that grand, 20th century, Wild West style.
8. Adagio for Strings (Samuel Barber)
I had never heard of Adagio for Strings before my senior year of high school, when we performed this at a concert at Missouri State. There is a moment in that piece that never fails to give me chills – when, after a long section of high notes, the final one rings out – and the orchestra moves back to close out the piece. It is one of the most calming (and most difficult) pieces I’ve ever played.
7. Sonata Pathetique (L. van Beethoven)
I played the 2nd & 3rd movements of Sonata Pathetique at my final piano recital in high school, and grew to love the first movement as well. My favorite part: the last two pages of the third movement. It is so much fun to play. Also, dogs are not especially fond of the loud c minor chord that opens the sonata…
6. St. Paul’s Suite (Gustav Holst)
I don’t know if we performed St. Paul’s while I was in orchestra, but we definitely sightread it on a regular basis. Again, I love Holst for some reason. A recording of this is one of my top YouTube searches…
5. Serenade for Strings (Pieter Ilyich Tchaikovsky)
Another high school orchestra favorite.
4. Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95: From the New World (Antonin Dvorak)
Major throwback – we performed an arrangement of the 4th movement when I was in eighth grade. I searched for years to find a perfect recording of this, and found it in the Dublin Symphony Orchestra.
3. Appalachian Spring (Aaron Copland)
This one is easy. During my junior year of high school, we performed an all-Copland concert in partnership with the choir (which I was in that year). Though the concert was a bit of a mess, I adored the choral excerpts from the Tender Land Suite and Hoedown.Ā I don’t know if we sang “Simple Gifts” in that concert, but I melt every time I hear it. (Also,Ā Appalachian SpringĀ is prominently featured at the close of my favorite childhood movie,Ā The Adventures of Milo & Otis.)
2. The Planets (Gustav Holst)
Obvious choice. I think this started in 2007, when we sang “I Vow to Thee, My Country” in all-suburban choir. It is a beautiful song, sung at Winston Churchill’s funeral and Princess Diana’s wedding & funeral. It happens to be set to the main theme from the fourth movement, Jupiter: Bringer of Jollity. Several years later, I bought the full work on iTunes – and the rest is history.
1. Nocturne in E Flat, Op. 9, No. 2 (Frederic Chopin)
No matter what, this continues to be my favorite piece of classical music. I played this gorgeous nocturne in the spring of 2009, as I was finishing my senior year of high school. For years, it has been what I listen to when I have trouble sleeping or need to calm down.
Honorable mentions:
Not an exhaustive list by any means, but some of my favorites nonetheless.
Homework: Check out your local orchestra. With concerts each weekend, you’re bound to find something that piques your interest. And if you’re not the biggest classical music fan, check out some of the soundtrack & rock tributes spread throughout the season.
Also, I’m going to plug the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for a moment. Powell Hall is one of my favorite places in St. Louis, hands down. I’m thankful to my parents for the years they took us to concerts for children, for the school field trips we had to the symphony, and to the SLSO for giving me the chance to perform on that stage in late 2004, as a member of the Sperreng Fiddlers. My favorite kind of date night is a night at the Symphony, in those comfortable red plush chairs, watching the musicians I’ve adored since my childhood. Classical music is (and always will be) one of my very favorite things. š
Kate
Planes & Pink 