What five pieces of music do you love the most? And why?

joe..I really enjoyed your choices...one can tell that music is important in your life

I know, I am not following format, but my mind works differently most times.
so sue me (oops. prolly should not say that out loud any more...)

anyways, this is in my all time top 25, and currently much higher

carlos santana ~ flor d'luna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgpcpXCq3mw

Interesting dlowan.
At the end of the day I don't necessarily think there needs to be some deeper reason for people to like what they like. A large amount of it is down to sheer sonic allure and emotional reactions they can't explain or quantify.
John cage once said:
“The first question I ask myself when something doesn't seem to be beautiful is why do I think it's not beautiful. And very shortly you discover that there is no reason.”

As much as I like to think that there is a reason for my choices, and if I wanted to I could bring about an argument I could easily claim things about their interesting use of harmony, clever structure, which are true, but still not really an 'answer.' I like the harmony and structure because I just do.

I think it's hard to be honest about what you really like, because if you're anything like me you're trying to form it into some ideology to be used as part of your 'identity,' whatever that is.

Don't have to be no "deeper" reason.

Mostly I have been very interested in what people have said here.

Also, for instance, someone here said they like dark and heavy music....if I didn't like dark and heavy, I would be less inclined to go a long way to search out some piece of music that person posted about.


But I just don't get any angst about it.

If someone doesn't like what I have asked for, they can go post on some of the other zillion threads here...

Some interesting stuff to look at!!! I mean listen to...


Thanks all.

Funny...I just downlaoded some Ronstadt...I'll be certain to look up the woman you guys have mentioned with her.

I don't care much for Dvorak's symphonies, but love his chamber works:



They are full of middle European flavors, and lush as all getout!

Here's another one of my favorites:

And this is the piece that started my love of concert music. I was 24, at the Berkshire Festival at Tanglewood, sitting on the lawn, and feeling rather bored. All of a sudden this piece began, and I could not catch my breath. The tears started streaming down my cheeks.

I left my friend, and tried to get closer to the orchestra. By the time the piece ended, I was an emotional mess. Afterwards, I figured that anything that could evoke such a high level of emotionality was worth looking into. I began to go to record stores, and learn more about concert music. I bought a "middle-fi" and played all sorts of stuff.

As coincidences happen, I met Mr. P. six months later. He had a hi-fi, and a vast collection of concert music. Ah, serendipity!

I like many different musical genres including jazz, blues, classical, reggae, folk, rock (except metal), mountain strings, zydeco, and a bunch of fusion-types that cross over between two or three different genre. Within each genre I have favorite artists, and within each artist I have favorite pieces that change with my mood, season, what's happening in my life, etc...

Right now I'm on a John Butler, Toubab Krewe, Ziggy Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Paul Cebar kick. They all play music that reminds me of summer and relaxation along with a view that we're all in this world together.

Butler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsnFvEQYJPU&feature=related (Ocean)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJUV8CSXQfY (Better Than)

Toubab Krewe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dxWpm-SZ1o&feature=related (percussion)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElEawxWnNCM&feature=related (more musical)

Ziggy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikzQmC3S-mE (True to Myself)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I66MrIHu39g&feature=channel (Love is My Religion)

Toots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_St8Kbo4uwU&feature=related (Sweet and Dandy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H56EWMpDmbc (Tough Time)

Paul Cebar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pg3Iks0BBo (Rainbow Summer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-1BPxgi3uw&feature=related (Tomorrow Sound)

Moonflower

great tune...more easy-jazz than his earlier work...sorta reminds me of Jobim's Wave

Actually, I like all sorts of music. Believe it or not, I LOVE disco. That is what I play when I am exercising or walking. The beat really gets me moving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bPxCQ56hbc

I have XM radio. There is a station that plays old standards; Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, etc. I like to listen to that station when I am driving.

one of my favorites from piano lessons. I think I began liking it because it sounds harder to play than it is - so I felt like I was finally to the point where I could really play. But it continued to appeal to me and still does. I love the melody and its slow, sort of melancholy dreamy quality.

aidan- We must have had the same music teacher. I also played that when I was taking piano lessons. It is very lovely.

yeah phoenix, Dvorak used Middle European folk music in his works and when he was working in New York...

"From 1892 to 1895, Dvořák was the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, at a $15,000 annual salary. The Conservatory had been founded by a wealthy and philanthropic socialite, Jeannette Thurber; it was located at 126-128 East 17th Street,but was demolished in 1911 and replaced by what is now a high school. Here Dvořák met with Harry Burleigh, one of the earliest African-American composers, his pupil. Burleigh introduced traditional American Spirituals to Dvořák at the latter's request."
wiki

CSO is focusing on numerous Dvorak works throughout June. I've got tickets to four different nights --- can't wait!

flying squirrel make Boris green with envy

Thelonius Monk - 'Round Midnight
Baden Powell - Samba Triste (just one particular rendition that stands out from all the rest)
Vivaldi - Four Seasons: Winter: Allegro non Molto
Stan Getz, João Gilberto & Astrud Gilberto - Águas de Março
Infected Mushroom - Dancing with Kadafi

There are about 20 others that could easily replace any of them so those are just some quick picks that I am already finding myself wanting to replace...

Replace away!!!

I got the cd with Samba Triste at your previous recommendation...and, of course, Round Midnight has been a favourite for years...and I like the Vivaldi.

I'll have a go at the other two....

Is it the right version? He and others covering it usually play it slow, but this frenetic version is sublime:

Not sure re the CD....but I have listened to your ADD sufferers' (or beneficiaries') version with pleasure...





Triste kinda goes with slow.....