How many here are passionate classical fans?

[David]

I don't think classical music is really dying, but I do think is is not as favored as it it once was. I am curious, how many here consider themselves serious or potentially serious classical music fans? If so, why. If not, why not.

I'll go first. Yes I am a passionate fan. The reason is that, of the music I am familiar with, classical stirs the broadest range of human human emotions and often stirs them deeper. Though it takes patience in many cases to connect, to me it lasts. You can listen to a work much more with out tiring, and each time a new layer is revealed. It can be more violent and erotic that rock (consider the Rites of Spring, the theme is a human sacrifice, or Bolero, which is essentially a rythmic analogue of sexual intercourse).

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by David

It can be more violent and erotic that rock (consider the Rites of Spring, the theme is a human sacrifice, or Bolero, which is essentially a rythmic analogue of sexual intercourse).

Well, since you've put it that way, I'll have to listen more. I do like classical but not as much as Jazz and Blues.

[gregswaim]

I have a very extensive collection of classical music for the classical guitar, lute, and pipe organ. Some music for the harpsichord as well. Most of my recordings are on CD, while a small percentage is on LP/open reel tape. I have a lot of mix and match pieces of music from Gershwin to Bach. I've got Bolero on LP as most seem to have these days.

[Masterlu]

I'll use it for Demo's, but it isn't my first choice when I sit down for a listening session.

[80B]

I've always enjoyed classical since being a kid - we had the 1812 Overture or Toscanini's Beethoven symphony recordings on quite a bit. That being said, rock was my staple genre from about age 10 on.

I think of classical as the ultimate musician's music, although jazz can equal that claim in many instances. By that I mean classical is a language all its own that opens ones mind and lifts consciousness. But to do that, it requires careful listening and education of that language to get the most out of it. The emotional content of jazz is on a par, although it doesn't require the intellectual application of understanding forms and structures to the extent classical does. That's not a cut on either genre. There's an entire "course on tape" about Beethoven's symphonies, and to understand THAT, you need a good grounding in classical forms and structures. Much of that is beyond what I comprehend, but I'm slowly making some progress.

We've encouraged my 12-year-old to play piano, guitar, and trumpet. He's picking up music theory in his piano lessons, and I believe when he listens as an adult to my new-but-future-vintage gear he'll get that much more out of the music than I do.

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by David

... or Bolero, which is essentially a rythmic analogue of sexual intercourse).

I like Bolero, but I prefer a more direct analogue: see here - nothing tastless - just a sexy musical performance.

Alberto

[-E-]

Bolero is very nice. Doesn't that remind you of "10" ??!??!?!

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by David

It can be more violent and erotic that rock (consider the Rites of Spring, the theme is a human sacrifice, or Bolero, which is essentially a rythmic analogue of sexual intercourse).

Classical music inspired a lot of rock, as clearly shown here.

Alberto

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Alberto

Classical music inspired a lot of rock, as clearly shown here.

Alberto

[-E-]

Alberto is on a YouTube roll tonight.

Rickroll us and you will get thrown back to the "former place."