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at the risk of being thrown in music piracy jail, samples are coming soon!
I'm into a lot of different music and own a hell of a lot, but these are a few of the albums, collections, tracks and pieces that I couldn't live without... albums & tracks | classical & soundtracks
Vaughan Williams - 'The Lark Ascending' and 'Fantasia on a Theme by Tallis' I played violin in the Liverpool Youth Orchestra for six years and have a great appreciation for strings-based music in particular. The clarity and quality of sound required for 'Lark' and the majesty of 'Fantasia' (recently used in the film 'Master and Commander') are just astounding. These are quite simply some of the most beautiful, impressive classical pieces you will ever hear. Elgar - 'Cello Concerto in E Minor' Everybody knows this. I first heard it in the final of one year's Young Musician of the Year, performed by the cellist who went on to win. It was also featured in the film 'Hiliary and Jackie', based on the life of cellist Jaqueline du Pre who tragically contracted multiple sclerosis. Du Pre's version is just wonderful and I also love Yo-Yo Ma's. Philip Glass - 'The Hours Original Soundtrack' This is my first taste of Glass and I'm really wondering where he's been all my life. This is music to write masterpieces to. Howard Shore - 'The Lord of the Rings Original Soundtrack' This may be the most accomplished orchestral soundtrack I have ever heard. From the Shire and Fellowship to Rohan and Gondor, themes are rousing, moving and incredibly-well woven in all their guises. The incorporation of Tolkien's words and languages is also highly impressive and effective. Love it! Michael Nyman - 'The Piano Original Soundtrack' Damn those Lloyds TSB adverts for overplaying arrangements of these masterpieces. Lucky its power is in no way diminished by repeated listenings. Tschaikowsky - 'Violin Concerto in D' I was 13 when my mum took me and my sister (also a violinist) to an evening at the Liverpool Phil and I remember being so moved and utterly blown away by this incredible Chinese soloist. She perfomed so effortlessly in an amazing gold satin gown it was the first time I realised how much I loved playing the violin. This is just wonderful music. The central theme will stay in my head forever. Beethoven - 'The Egmont Overture' I'll always have a soft spot for pieces I played as part of the LYO, but this is my favourite. I was 12 and thrown into second violins for a rehersal in which all us newcomers died a death, it is incredibly difficult to play. Almost three years later I was playing the first violin part in a church in Prague. sample it via amazon Bizet - 'Carmen' and 'L'Arlesienne' Suites Again these are pieces I played with the LYO. The first is a big favourite we played practically every other year at various concerts and festivals. The second was part of the programme we took on tour to Spain in 2000, christened by one of our conductors (a member of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra) as 'The Lazy Hen' suite, © copyright acm 2004 |