Recommended Appreciation Method for Beginners Starting to Listen to Classical Music: Expand Your World of Classical Music Through "Performer x Instrument"♪

Hello! This is Nagoya Classical Music Hall (@nagoyaclassicca). Today, I am introducing a recommended way to appreciate classical music, aimed at beginners who are just starting to listen, as well as intermediate listeners who haven't quite settled on their own way of enjoying it.

5 Ways to Avoid Getting Stuck When You Think "I Want to Listen to Classical Music for the First Time"

I previously wrote an article like this on the Nagoya Classical Music Hall website.

The five methods introduced in that article are as follows.

① Enter through the worldview of manga, novels, anime, or movies featuring classical music
② Start listening from playlists on music streaming services
③ Try reading an introductory book on classical music
④ Experience classical music through web media and video sites
⑤ Take the plunge and go to a recital or concert

For details, I hope you will read the article 5 Ways to Avoid Getting Stuck When You Think "I Want to Listen to Classical Music for the First Time" but this article was written for those who have started to become interested in classical music but find it difficult... feel it's too high a hurdle... or don't know which piece to start listening to, and end up getting stuck.

The main message I want to convey is that "there are infinite entry points to enjoy classical music, and there is no single correct answer like in a textbook." That is it.

I still believe the five methods written in that article are the optimal solution, but recently there is one more item I would like to add here.

The world of classical music expands through "Performer x Instrument"

The action I think is most valuable for enjoying classical music is the fifth one I introduced earlier: "Take the plunge and go to a recital or concert." The bliss of experiencing a live performance at a recital or concert is irreplaceable.

That said, I am well aware of how high the hurdle is to suddenly buy a ticket for a recital or concert and head to the venue.

Therefore, what I would like you to try is the action of listening to classical music through videos of professional musicians performing on "YouTube."

Let's try one. A piece that everyone has probably heard even if they aren't that interested in classical music: "Bach: Air on the G String"

First. Listen with a photo of a beautiful forest in the background.

Second. A performance by a Ukrainian violinist named Anastasia Petryshak.

What impression did you get after listening to the two versions of Air on the G String? Also, which video left a stronger impression on you?

In the first video, I think the impression is just that you heard a famous song you've heard somewhere before, but when you watch the second video, you can see not only the solo violinist but also the players behind her performing instruments such as the violin, viola, cello, and harpsichord.

If you are captivated by the sight of the violinist Anastasia Petryshak performing, you can jump to her YouTube channel and listen to other famous violin pieces.

For example, Schubert's Ave Maria, or

Ennio Morricone's Cinema Paradiso (it's not a classical music piece, but... it's a masterpiece)

Following this flow, you can start with a violinist named Anastasia Petryshak and listen to various violin pieces, or if you like the sound of the violin, you can search for and listen to the same piece by a different violinist.

If you search for Schubert's Ave Maria on YouTube, you will find videos featuring not only the violin but also various instrumental arrangements, so I think it would be fun to enjoy those differences. Since this piece is originally a song, you might even want to listen to it sung by an opera singer.

This is Schubert's Ave Maria by soprano singer Maki Mori.

In the past, the standard way for classical music fans to enjoy music was to follow articles introducing famous recordings or performances written by well-known music critics, but I don't think you need to be tied to such a path from the beginning.

Please try to find your favorite performers and instruments♪ It will surely expand your world of classical music♪

Nagoya Classical Music Hall is also on Twitter.

Nagoya Classical Music Hall's Twitter shares news about classical music, as well as information on concerts and live streams every day. Please be sure to follow us.