Classical music buffs, please help

[lindyhop]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

For me, Bolero evokes "10" first, Allergro Non Troppo second, Torvill and Dean third and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown last. The piece is up there with Beethoven's 9th symphony, the Blue Danube, William Tell Overture, Ride of the Valkeries, and Carmina Burana in the "classical music most oft used as accompaniment" category.

All of which should be experienced played by a live orchestra at least once in your life. I saw Bolero performed by the Long Beach Symphony accompanied by flamenco dancers once. I've seen LBSO perform Beethoven's 9th and the William Tell Overture as well. But the ultimate for me was Carmina Burana - the scariest music ever (well, parts of it anyway). I have CD's of most of this stuff but it's just not the same as a live orchestra.

Last spring I got to sit in on a rehearsal of Carmina Burana. There was a full orchestra, soloists, a 250-voice choir and maybe 30 of us watching it all. They played through the whole piece in order but the conductor stopped and had them do some parts over until it was the way he wanted it. That meant I got to hear some of the best parts multiple times. It was a great experience.