For those starting to listen, what is a 'first piece' for dipping into classical music?
There is a way of saying 'I get it' or 'I don't get it' regarding a certain genre of music, but what does it mean to 'get' music?
In short, this book is a stimulating and enlightening guide that teaches you how to appreciate and enjoy certain music, while citing many interesting examples.
'How to Listen to Music: Listening Styles and the Language of Taste' (Chuko Shinsho) by Akio Okada
This book stands at the opposite pole from the position that music is, in the final analysis, just the resonance of sound, that it transcends language from the start, so there is no point in theorizing about it, and that one should simply polish one's sensibilities, sharpen one's senses, and listen intently to music with a pure and innocent heart unpoisoned by preconceptions.
To 'get' music is to know the rules that the genre to which that music belongs implicitly assumes, and it is about entering into 'a culture'.
And the author concludes that it is about 'knowing the history of that culture, understanding its value system, its mechanisms, and its implications, and acquiring its vocabulary'.
In short, it means you have to study ^^;
For those who feel dissatisfied, wondering why one needs to study just to listen to music as a hobby, I think the analogy stated in this book—that studying vocabulary and grammar is essential to understanding a foreign language, and the same applies to music—is quite persuasive.
Behind the arguments, the author's sense of crisis regarding contemporary music culture is visible.
The disappearance of the communities that support music culture, and the sight of people who, while thinking they are free to listen to whatever music they like, end up pouring similar music into their brains in solitude, consuming commodified music just to have pleasant sounds in their ears.
Are they not losing a large part of the joy of music?
Is it not the act of people exchanging words about music that brings the true joy of music?
The author's argument, which poses such questions, transcends the horizon of music culture and becomes a critique of modern civilization that has lost 'society'—a place for human interaction and cultural creation. It may be a good example of how a truly well-thought-out how-to book can possess a high degree of critical depth.
Now, as a classical music primer that answers the simple questions of those who are about to start listening to music, especially classical music, I remembered that 'BRUTUS' once released a special issue titled 'Let's Start Classical Music: Brutus's First Classical Music Primer,' which was interesting, so I will introduce a few pieces for your first time listening to classical music (^^)
Many of you have likely encountered classical music, its composers, conductors, and song titles in your daily life through movies, dramas, commercials, novels, and magazines, but have you found it difficult to take the next step?
Perhaps you feel a certain sense of intimidation, or you have never encountered that one piece that could serve as a starting point...
In this special feature, for such lost classical beginners, they provide a clear guide by organizing common sense, trivia, and key points you should know in a Q&A format.
Mark Twain also said, 'It is rare that one can recognize an opportunity as an opportunity before it ceases to be an opportunity.' ^^;
I must judge based on my own senses so as not to miss the chance ^^;
If you wait until you are certain, the opportunity will have passed by the time you realize it, so I want to be able to make judgments even at an uncertain stage so that I don't regret missing out.
If you read this article and feel like it might be a good opportunity!
Indeed, it is said that people who enjoy classical music have higher work performance, and that Mozart's music, which has been scientifically proven to have positive effects on work, can also draw out sensibilities and enhance creativity, so why not take this opportunity to listen to some classical music? (^^)
[Concertos for first-time listeners]
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons,' one of the most beloved classical pieces among the Japanese, is particularly famous for the performance by the Italian ensemble I Musici.
It is a piece in concerto form where the solo violin plays an active role, depicting various scenes and natural features of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
The secret to enjoying it is to let your own imagination expand with the imagery of each season as you listen.
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
This is a masterpiece often cited alongside the violin concertos of Beethoven and Brahms as one of the 'three great violin concertos.'
The melancholic and lyrical melody that the solo violin sings sweetly from the very beginning is extremely famous.
With its gentle emotion and beautiful melodies, it is a masterpiece that represents not only Mendelssohn but also German Romantic music.
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23
This is a famous piece that could be called synonymous with classical music, rather than just a piano concerto.
The opening introduction is very famous, and everyone has likely heard it somewhere before.
Also, the third movement shows one of the most magnificent climaxes in the history of piano concertos.
Along with Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, it is said to be one of the two great Russian piano concertos.
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto
This is the only clarinet concerto Mozart composed in his final years, and as evidenced by it being voted the number one most popular Mozart piece by the UK's Classic FM in 2006, it is also considered by some to be the greatest masterpiece among all of Mozart's works.
With its clear tone, it sings beautifully, filled with a mysterious emotion that is neither quite sadness nor longing.
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 'Emperor'
The "Emperor," often described as the "king" among the many concertos, is the last of Beethoven's five piano concertos.
The subtitle "Emperor" was not given by Beethoven himself, but it can be said to accurately express the massive, powerful, and majestic character of this piece.
It also appears in the first episode of the anime version of "Nodame Cantabile."
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor
It is said that Harumi Miyako's "Kita no Yado kara" (composed by Asei Kobayashi) was based on the opening melody of the first movement of this concerto, and when you listen to it, that melody immediately comes to mind.
Composed just before Chopin left his native Poland and performed by him at his farewell concert, this is one of Chopin's representative works, overflowing with romanticism and woven with folk rhythms.
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20
Mozart only wrote two piano concertos in a minor key, and this No. 20 is one of them.
It is overflowing with melodies that are both brilliant yet natural, and technical yet smooth.
The second movement, in particular, is known for its beautiful melody in B-flat major, titled "Romanze."
This piece was used as the final theme for the movie "Amadeus."
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez
This is a guitar concerto that evokes the royal palace and gardens of Aranjuez in Spain.
It is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece as a guitar concerto, and it is the most famous and beautiful work among guitar concertos, which cemented the composer Rodrigo's name in history.
Marcello: Oboe Concerto
Marcello was a composer who was active in Italy during the Baroque period.
This oboe concerto came into the spotlight after it became the theme song for the Italian film "Anonimo Veneziano."
The second movement, which played in the film, is very romantic and impressive, with the oboe playing a melody that seems to drift quietly over the accompaniment of a quiet string orchestra.
Dvořák: Cello Concerto
This is one of Dvořák's representative works and is said to be the greatest masterpiece of cello concertos.
Known affectionately by music lovers as the 'Dovo-con,' this masterpiece by Dvořák is beloved for its expansive, nostalgic melodic beauty, brilliant passages, and grand scale.
[Orchestral works for first-time listeners]
Mozart: Overture to 'The Marriage of Figaro'
This is the overture played at the beginning of Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro,' which is considered one of the greatest masterpieces among the many operas.
The light, presto overture is short, but it perfectly captures the mood of the opera.
Because of this mood, it is often performed as the opening piece of a concert.
Wagner: Prelude to Act 1 of the Music Drama 'Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg'
The prelude to Act 1 of the music drama 'Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg' is well-known and frequently performed as a standalone piece.
This music drama is the story of a young man who attempts to become a Meistersinger for the sake of his beloved; although it is a grand work that takes nearly four hours to perform, it remains highly popular, perhaps because it is filled with a bright tone.
Ravel: Boléro
This is a masterpiece by Ravel, who is known as the 'alchemist of sound.'
The piece is extremely simple; the main theme is repeated endlessly as it is passed from one instrument to another without changing its form.
This is supported by a two-bar bolero rhythm on the snare drum. This also repeats 169 times without changing, and as the piece progresses, instruments are added one after another, increasing the volume.
Tchaikovsky: Marche Slave
A concert march composed by Tchaikovsky.
It was composed to inspire the Slavic people during the war with Turkey.
It is one of Tchaikovsky's expressive masterpieces, colored by dynamism, brilliance, boldness, and elegance.
It is said that Tchaikovsky composed the prototype for this work, the Serbian-Russian March, in just five days.
Beethoven: 'Egmont' Overture
This is incidental music written for Goethe's play 'Egmont,' which is based on a true story.
The overture has become so famous that it is often performed by orchestras on its own.
Although it is a short piece, it is a masterpiece that condenses the essence of Beethoven's style, and I recommend it as an introductory piece for those starting to listen to Beethoven.
Sibelius: Finlandia
Particularly famous among Sibelius's works, 'Finlandia' is a piece into which Sibelius poured his passion for his homeland, Finland, which was under Russian rule at the time.
It is an eight-minute piece that expresses the cry of the Finnish people's hearts, and the hymn in the middle section is even called Finland's second national anthem.
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (Orchestrated by Ravel)
The original work is a piano suite composed by Mussorgsky.
The reason 'Pictures at an Exhibition' was highlighted as a masterpiece was due to Ravel's orchestral arrangement.
It is a famous piece that has been arranged in various ways by many musicians throughout history, but Ravel's version has become the standard.
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
One of Stravinsky's three great ballet scores—'The Firebird,' 'Petrushka,' and 'The Rite of Spring'—it is said that 'The Rite of Spring' was composed based on a strange vision Stravinsky himself had.
Filled with complex rhythms and dissonant chords, it is a piece that can be called a symbol of modern music.
It is even mentioned in high school history textbooks.
Holst: The Planets Suite
Even if you don't know the title, Holst's 'The Planets' suite is a piece of classical music that everyone has heard at least once.
It is frequently used in commercials and TV programs, and its grand melodies are reminiscent of Hollywood film scores.
Among them, the fourth movement, 'Jupiter,' is extremely popular and is the original piece for 'Jupiter,' which became famous through Ayaka Hirahara's song.
Smetana: 'Vltava' from the symphonic poem 'Má vlast'
'Vltava' is one of the pieces from the symphonic poem 'Má vlast' (My Homeland) composed by Smetana, a representative composer of the Czech Republic.
'Vltava' (the second piece in the work) begins at the source of the Vltava River, which flows from south to north through Bohemia to join the Elbe River, and movingly sings of the scenery of the homeland.
The descriptive phrase that begins with a solo for two flutes is impressive.
[Symphonies for first-time listeners]
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, 'Fate'
Known as the 'Fate Symphony,' it is widely recognized as one of the most famous pieces in classical music.
The theme at the beginning of the first movement, said to be 'fate knocking at the door,' is a melody known to everyone around the world, not just music fans.
I believe many people have become captivated by classical music because of this piece.
Haydn: Symphony No. 94, 'Surprise'
This 'Surprise' symphony by Haydn is also known as the 'Surprise Symphony'.
The name comes from a sudden loud sound that rings out during the quiet second movement; it is said that Haydn, who was full of wit and playfulness, included this little prank to wake up the noblewomen who would start dozing off during the slow movements at his concerts...
Schubert: Symphony No. 8, 'Unfinished'
This is one of Schubert's masterpieces.
Along with Beethoven's 'Fate' and Dvořák's 'New World,' it is called one of the three great symphonies and enjoys popular appeal.
Because this piece was completed with only two movements (the reason is unknown), it is affectionately known as the 'Unfinished' symphony.
It is a piece overflowing with romantic melodies that you will never forget once you hear them.
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90, 'Italian'
This piece, which Mendelssohn began writing during his travels in Italy, is a masterpiece with an attractive, refreshing melody at the beginning of the first movement, and is wrapped in dynamic rhythm, lyricism, and enthusiasm.
It is a symphony that symbolizes Mendelssohn, who was born into a very privileged environment with a banker for a father.
Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551, 'Jupiter'
This is said to be the 'greatest symphony,' a highly perfected work that concludes W.A. Mozart's three great symphonies (Symphonies No. 39–41), and it is a dignified, magnificent piece of a very grand scale.
'Jupiter' refers to the supreme god who appears in Roman mythology.
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"
Dvořák's "New World," which everyone has heard at least once, is his masterpiece that intertwines his nostalgia for his homeland of Bohemia with his experiences visiting America.
The second movement, with its incredibly famous melody, is also known as "Goin' Home."
Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550
This is one of the most famous works by W.A. Mozart.
Along with Symphony No. 39 and Symphony No. 41, it is known as one of the "Three Great Symphonies."
The melancholic beauty of the opening of the first movement is unparalleled.
It is also frequently used in commercials and other media.
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major "Eroica"
Beethoven originally composed this piece to dedicate to Napoleon, but upon hearing the news that Napoleon had crowned himself emperor, he was so disappointed that he scratched out the word "Eroica" on the score with his pen so hard it tore the paper.
That is a famous anecdote about the piece.
While it may be less flashy than his Fifth Symphony, "Fate," it is a masterpiece that is quintessentially Beethoven.
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral"
If one were to name the greatest masterpiece at the pinnacle of Beethoven's creative career, it would be this "Ninth."
The fourth movement introduces a chorus and soloists, and is particularly well-loved as the "Ode to Joy."
In Japan, over 100 performances of the "Ninth" are held across the country at the end of every year, making it a seasonal tradition.
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique"
Tchaikovsky himself wrote in a letter to his publisher, "I have written a masterpiece. This work is the truth from my heart. I feel a sense of pride, satisfaction, and joy like never before."
Tchaikovsky passed away shortly after the premiere, and the work is one where raw emotions are laid bare, as if expressing the anguish of his life.
[Reference Article (Source: Calming Piano.)]
Recent research on the piano at MIT has revealed that the cerebral cortex of professional pianists is 30% larger than that of other intelligent individuals who have not received musical training.
According to another study in California, 75% of Silicon Valley CEOs played a musical instrument as children.
What does this mean? Because the piano enhances memory and intellectual sharpness, it can be learned at any age, is fun, produces results, makes the ears love music, and increases manual dexterity.
Many of us modern people spend our time typing on mobile phones with two thumbs and repeating mouse movements with our index fingers.
Even many people who do not intend to play the piano or other instruments love listening to music while working or studying.
The piano is an ancient instrument that has existed for centuries, providing joy, sadness, love, and romance to many music lovers for the past few hundred years.
Sound is important to all of us.
It evokes the emotions we want to feel at that moment.
It also helps to distract us from the negative forces in our daily lives.
[Reference Book]
'Encyclopedia of Classical Music Appreciation' (Kodansha Academic Library) by Keiichiro Jimbo
[Reference Site]
Music enriches life. Three charms of music
https://minichestra-media.com/attraction-of-music/
What is the reason for 'learning' music?
5 ways to avoid stumbling over difficulties when you decide to 'listen to classical music for the first time'
http://classic-youtube.com/?p=61