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To someone, what would be the first piece you would have them listen to. Only one, please.

Chuck

Tchaikovsky. Capriccio Italien.

I'll second "The Planets." Specifically, 'Jupiter.'

But regardless, something loud and melodic (so I guess really any Tchaikovsky piece would do).

Chuck Jackson wrote:To someone, what would be the first piece you would have them listen to. Only one, please.

How old would this person be, Chuck?

wnazzaro wrote:Beethoven Symphony #5 first movement.

I would agree with the piece, but not the movement.

The fourth movement has a melody that is more easily "sing-able" with better development. THe first movement is very contrapunctal and can be very difficult to follow after the first few minutes for young or new listeners.

For very young listeners, maybe Mozart is more appropriate. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik?

On second thought, what do you mean by "expose", Chuck? Surely the person has heard the Allegretto from the Jenkins "Palladio" (The DeBeers Diamond Music) or maybe the Aquafina commercial with the drinking song from Romberg's "Student Prince". Or any of a bunch of film music.

Chuck Jackson wrote:To someone, what would be the first piece you would have them listen to. Only one, please.

Chuck

Chuck G. got here first, but have they heard great film music? The scores for the first Star Wars movie (which some have accused of being derivative of Holst, which is okay with me because I like Holst), Silverado, and many others would be a good way to demonstrate that orchestral music need not be old or inexplicable.

If they already have that experience, then I agree that Tchaikovsky is the next stopping point. It is to me the most accessible classical music in the repertoire, particularly the tone poems (Romeo and Juliet, 1812, Marche Slave, Capriccio Italien...).

I would avoid Mozart, unless they get to watch Amadeus at the same time. I think Mozart is an aquired taste, and it sounds pretentious and dry to a lot of pop-music fans.

Overt emotion is the ticket for getting started--it has to pull them in through their emotions. As their responses become refined, the emotion can be less overt.

Rick "who himself started with Schubert, but who preferred Tchaikovsky as a young listener for a while before moving on" Denney

Rick Denney wrote:Chuck G. got here first, but have they heard great film music?...

If they already have that experience, then I agree that Tchaikovsky is the next stopping point. It is to me the most accessible classical music in the repertoire, particularly the tone poems (Romeo and Juliet, 1812, Marche Slave, Capriccio Italien...).

Yes, for older folks: This is the cereal that's shot from guns....

For the younger crowd, Star Wars or Lord of the Rings.

Doc wrote:Speaking of film score composers, John Williams' music sounds very similar to the film scores of Bernard Herrmann (Thanks Chuck) I haven't drawn the Holst connection with Herrmann, but I'll consider that in my next listening session. Herrmann's music is pretty exciting, IMHO. He scored "Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Vertigo", "7 Voyages of Sinbad", "Psycho", "Citizen Kane", "Jason and the Argonauts", etc. as well as several TV episodes.

You left out The Day the Earth Stood Still.

One I forgot (sorry, Chuck, I know you just asked for one ):

If The Lord of the Rings Symphony in 6 movements comes to or near your town, go see it. It would probably do the trick.

Rick Denney wrote:The scores for the first Star Wars movie (which some have accused of being derivative of Holst, which is okay with me because I like Holst),...

I guess Williams is guilty as charged, because that's the concept that Lucas was shooting for.

I guess we're talking symphonic music in general as opposed to the classical era, correct?

I got one to add -- any of the good PDQ Bach stuff. Peter Shickele was really insightful on his radio programs, and the same feeling comes through in his compositions. Besides, even a cheesy laugh is still a laugh.

The first three I remember hearing (not counting Gilbert & Sullivan) were Scherezade, Tchaikovsky's Fourth and Holst's Planets, any one of which might make a good introduction to classical music, although the first respondent's suggestion of Capriccio Italien might be even better.

What got me hooked was Bizet's "Carmen Suite". I wore out my Dad's Detroit Sym recording of it.

i cant believe that noone has mentioned the william tell overure.

daktx2 wrote:i cant believe that noone has mentioned the william tell overure.

You mean, "Kill the wabbit?"

Chuck(G) wrote:

daktx2 wrote:i cant believe that noone has mentioned the william tell overure.

You mean, "Kill the wabbit?"

... and all this time, I thought "kill the wabbit" was the Ride of the Valkyries ...

Kevin Hendrick wrote: ... and all this time, I thought "kill the wabbit" was the Ride of the Valkyries ...

It is--Billy Tell is the Lone Ranger--hi-yo Silver! Away!

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is Plumrose Deviled Ham...

bloke wrote:Not the most popular nor well-known piece...some would even argue "not classical"...but VERY easy to understand and to like:

Ferde Grofe - Grand Canyon Suite

And, it has a very challenging tuba part!

One of Mahler's Symphonies

phoenix wrote:One of Mahler's Symphonies

I dunno--maybe No. 1, but No. 8 woiuld have the subject twitching and looking at his/her watch before long, methinks.

For a techno lover/metalhead: Sacre du printemps.