Most of the music in this collection has been arranged in chronological order to illustrate how the early music of one period evolved and influenced the music of the next period.
When I first set out to expand my musical horizons some 20 years ago, there was nothing like “this” available to initiate one to classical music. It was a hit and miss kind of thing, you either stumbled on something you liked or found something you truly disliked. Today, Naxos has ensembled quite the unique 2 CD Box Set to give the uninitiated a little taste of the wide range of classical music available out there.
In 1994, I was lucky enough to stumble upon Naxos first compilation album entitled: “Discover Classical Music.” At that time, the owner of the music shop told me that this box set was truly a great compilation of some of the best classical music ever created and recorded. He was right and I was not disappointed. The same album was released under the title “Discover the Classics” and today, the same album is still available under the following title: “Discover the Classics: Volume 1.”
This 2 CD Box Set sorta guides you through the various periods of classical music and thus contains a wide range of classical music - from the very beginning to near present day. Not only is this Box Set a good starting point, it is still the "classical albums" that I return to time and time again. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy all kinds of composers and soloists. Glen Gould was a great pianist and I still listen to his music on occasion but I like variety so much that Naxos' 2 Box Set compilation fulfills my needs perfectly.
My review does not include comments on all 35 tracks and therefor is only a partial study. I limited my comments to those tracks that moved me enough to continue my journey into classical music.
My decision to review this compilation was based on my belief that before buying any classical music, people need all the assistance and information they could find to help them discover a different genre of music.
CD - TRACK LISTING & COMMENTS:
CD 1: (Total Time 75:00)
The Medieval period: (c.1150 to c. 1400)
1. Gregorian Chant: Introitus - Laudate Deum (1:49)
This is classical music in it’s earliest stages. Only voices. We sometimes hear this music on certain movie tracks, usually when one wants to bring about medieval feelings or when the atmosphere commands a sentiment of unavoidable danger surrounding the “devil.”
Renaissance period: (c.1400 to c.1600)
2. Palestrina: Missa Papae Marcelli - Gloria (5:30)
Baroque period: (c.1600 to c.1750)
3. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Suite No. 3 - Air (5:16)
More commonly known as “Air on the G string,” this is perhaps Bach’s most famous Orchestral Suites, instantly recognizable.
4. George Frideric Handel (1686-1759): Messiah - Hallelujah Chorus (3:37)
Handel was a great choral composer and “Messiah” is recognized as the most popular choral work ever written.
5. Georg Philipp Teleman (1681-1767): Concerto for 2 Horns - Vivace (3:33)
6. Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764): La Timide (4:56)
7. Francois Couperin (1668-1733): Les Tricoteuses (2:10)
Simply a Beautiful piano sonata...fast, fun and uplifting.
9. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741): Four Seasons - Spring - I. Allegro (3:29)
Perhaps the most famous classical music of our times, in that some parts of this music has been played in commercials, movies, and can be heard in many hospitals and doctors waiting rooms, etc...
10. Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706): Canon (4:43)
The recurring base line is by far the most famous in the world today. If their was ever one song that could influence one to discover classical music, this is it. This is the number one classical hit of all times...period.
11. Johann Pachelbel: Gigue (1:22)
Gigue is just that, a “jig.” But a very good one at that.
12. Tomaso Albinoni (1671-1750): Adagio (11:27)
This modern realisation by Giazotto for organ and strings was ignored by Albinoni during his lifetime. Man, this work has so much emotion flowing out of it...awesome music, from the organ intro to the string melody, poignant and very powerful. If you are in a sad mood it will make you cry, if you are in a good mood it will make you smile and feel good all over. Strange how this music can move you in so many different ways...
Classical period: (c.1750 to c.1830)
13. Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Symphony No. 94 - Andante (5:31)
14. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Eine kleine Nachtmusik - Allegro (5:51)
You’ll want to sample more from Mozart after this...
15. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Moonlight Sonata - Adagio sostenuto (5:15)
Beethoven could have been responsible for inspiring the Romantic Period all by himself if Mozart, Vivaldi and Bach had not been around.
16. Franz Schubert (1797-1828): Symphony No. 5 - Allegro (7:10)
Schubert was a genius...Mozart would have been proud and would have bowed in front of him.
CD 2: (Total Time 75:27)
Early Romantic period: (c.1830 to c.1860)
1. Hector Berlioz (1803-1859): Rakoczy March (4:15)
Delightful is an understatement, hard to believe that this little piece was suppose to be played in one minute, pianist Idil Biret does it in 1:44 and I can’t believe anybody could do it any faster.
3. Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1904): Rigoletto - La donna e mobile (2:13)
4. Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Kinderszenen - Traumerei (3:10)
The Romantic period is also described by many as the age of dreams and Robert Schumann can be considered the undisputed “dreamer” of all time.
5. Franz Liszt (1811-1886): Piano Concerto No. 1 - Allegro maestoso - Tempo giusto (5:13)
Everybody and I mean everybody who studies classical piano will learn something from Franz Liszt or at least he will try to learn a little something from this composer...
6. Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Midsummer Night`s Dream - Wedding March (5:14)
The Wedding Song: Everybody attending a wedding hears this music while watching the bride walk down the isle...hard to believe it was written well over 150 years ago!
Late Romantic period: (c.1860 to c.1920)
7. Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5 (2:14)
8. Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): Nutcracker - Danse des mirlitons (2:21)
Tchaikovsky is known as one of the greatest composers for the ballet. Need I say more.
10. Georges Bizet (1838-1875): Carmen- Seguidilla (4:21)
Bizet is known as one of the greatest composers of opera. No need to say anything more.
11. Johann Strauss (1825-1899): Pizzicato Polka (2:30)
12. Richar Wagner (1813-1883): Die Walkure - The Ride of the Valkyries (5:22)
13. Edvard Grieg (1843-1907): Peer Gynt - Morning (3:38)
14. Claude Debussy (1862-1918): Suite bergamasque - Clair de Lune (4:13)
15. Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934): Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 (5:59)
Present Day: (c. 1920 to present)
16. Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man (2:48)
17. Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez - Adagio (10:53)
18. Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kijé - Troika (2:57)
19. Orff: Carmina Burana - O Fortuna (2:37)
There is much more to enjoy here, I have only touched on the songs that affected me the most...Everything on this 2 CD Box Set has withstood the test of time and I’m not talking years or decades here, I’m talking about centuries.
As you have perhaps noticed, I’m a Baroque and Classical period man.
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