Research 5 musical pieces that you think are beneficial in your daily life.
Answers
5 MUSICAL PIECES:
1. J.S. Bach: Suite No. 1 in G major for unaccompanied cello, BWV 1007
Everyone should know at least one work by J.S. Bach, considered by many to be the greatest composer in history. The Suite No. 1 for unaccompanied cello is a 15-minute distillation of everything that makes Bach's music awesome: inventive harmonies, mind-blowing counterpoint and — always in Bach — something spiritual.
The first movement, Prelude, is well known from its use in film, but all seven movements combine to make a varied, satisfying, even transcendent listening experience.
We're partial to these excerpts played by Johannes Moser:
Further listening:
J.S. Bach: Partita in C minor, BWV 826
J.S. Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068
Handel: Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks
2. Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67
"Da-da-da-daaaa." The opening theme of Beethoven's Fifth has become a pop culture cliché for "things just got real." (Beethoven's biographer described it more poetically by saying, "That's how destiny knocks at your door.")
But this symphony has more to offer beyond those ominous opening measures. The intensity of the first movement casts a long shadow over the slow second movement, whose sweet lyricism is never allowed to shine for long. The third movement is incredibly tense and leads directly — dramatically — into the fourth movement, which is probably the most heroic music ever written (24:40 in the video below). Make it your soundtrack the next time you run 10 kilometres, hand your term paper in on time, find jeans that fit, don't have cavities, etc.
Further listening:
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1
Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14
3. Franz Schubert: 'Du bist die Ruh,' D. 776
Singers and accompanists often say a song recital is the purest form of musical expression. "Art song offers musical drama without any packaging," explains collaborative pianist Erika Switzer. "It suits the moments in life when you crave raw, unadulterated musical communication. Art song is to opera what Adele is to Madonna: the singer-songwriter of the classical world."
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The classical song repertoire is dominated by German lieder and French mélodies, and one's enjoyment of the music is definitely enhanced by an understanding of the words.
There's no better place to start than Schubert. He wrote more than 600 lieder and there isn't a dud among them. Here's his most popular song, performed by mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink and pianist Gerold Huber. (Follow the text and translation here.)
Further listening:
Duparc: "Chanson triste"
Schumann: "Mondnacht"
Tchaikovsky: "Why?"
4. Johannes Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1, Op. 25
Chamber music sometimes gets a bad rap. It doesn't have the sheer power of orchestral music, nor the narrative aid of lyrics, nor is there a conductor with star appeal to give it a personality. Some people say it's boring. It's not.
Like their jazz-playing cousins, chamber musicians need to be totally attuned to each other, and there's no safety net. Each player is vital to the success of the performance. That energy is transmitted to the audience.
Brahms's chamber music — especially the works with piano — have great tunes and momentum that get you out of your seat. The fourth movement of his first piano quartet is a tour de force.
Further listening:
Beethoven: String Quartet in F major, Op. 59, No. 1
Mozart: Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in A major, K. 581
Brahms: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1
5. Frédéric Chopin: Nocturne in B-flat minor, Op. 9, No. 1
Experts agree, Chopin was the poet of the piano. Janina Fialkowska, one of the world's leading Chopin pianists, says, "There is no composer who wrote better for the instrument." Chopin spins such beautiful, singing melodies that pianist Anton Kuerti calls him "the greatest opera composer who never wrote an opera."
If you have ever fallen in love, paddled a canoe on a lake by moonlight, gotten up early to watch the sunrise, eaten an oyster pulled fresh from the sea, cried during a film or had a baby wrap its fingers around your pinky, then you need to pay attention to Chopin. He understands you.
Further listening:
Chopin: Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20
Chopin: Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major
HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU!