From my list, I am skipping over Mozart's Requiem since I am having difficulty finding much more to listen to than what I have.
Beethoven's Ninth has been recorded by about everyone making it difficult to find the "must-have" recording (as opposed to Kleiber's Fifth/Seventh disc which is always on the top of everyone's essential recordings). So once again, I've decided to suggest two recordings: one is traditional while the other is a bit alternative.
Karajan was a towering figure in Classical music recordings; his output was staggering. He recorded more than three versions of the Ninth (some pre-dating stereo) and generally people like either the 62 or 76 accounts. I will recommend the 62 recording since I have listened to it often and it has the Coriolan Overture as an added bonus.
For something a little different, I really enjoy Zinman's recording. It's fast (very fast), almost too fast for my tastes but intriguing. It seems this tempo is now thought to be authentic, so it's hard to argue. In addition, there's an alternative ending on the disc! How crazy! Anyway, the disc is so cheap that I would suggest anyone with a passing interest just buy it.
Finally, I must say that if you only buy one piece of Classical music, make it the Ninth. Any version.
4 comments:
"If you really must beat the measure, sir, let me entreat you to do so in time, and not a half beat ahead."
"...snatch up his little gilt chair and beat the white-faced man down with it."
Locatelli's C major is a bit hard to find; however, the Sonata in G Major is really good. http://www.amazon.com/Musical-Evenings-Captain-Dorothy-Lawson/dp/B00000083U
Lovely quote :)
Ok, here is what I just envisioned.
My lungs are strained with every inhale and exhale, my legs strain with each revolution and my mind is sharply focused; the experience is part-bike, part-trail, part-now.
I am not watching the imagery pass by, I am IN the imagery. I look up and see a variety of breathtaking ridge lines and mountain peaks.
My ride reacts to every bit of punishment presented. Losing focus will result in a number of painful outcomes: falling off the narrow ridge line to be impaled by nature's weapons or being launched over my handle-bars experiencing negative velocity at a rate my bones will be tested.
I am alive!
I need an upbeat motivating classical play list during my "alive" moments!
What are your recommendations?!
Sorry for the delay in responding, but I'm not really sure I can answer that question. Music is very personal: one man's Beethoven is another man's Korn.
I suppose I am discussing more active listening to the music. As for what to listen while in those "alive" moments, I would suggest the music you find the more inspiring. Beethoven, Korn, Metallica, Berg. It's all good. :)
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