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Hello,
This is inspired by ragam-tanam-pallavi's earlier post, which talked of Indian classical music. The two differences between Indian and western classical music mentioned were a) Western music is polyphonic, which means that it depends on the resonance of multiple musical notes occurring together. In contrast, Indian classical music is essentially monophonic. Here, a melody or sequence of individual notes is developed and improvised upon, against a repetitive rhythm. b) In Western classical music, a performer strictly abides by a written composition. In contrast, in Indian classical music it is common to have the performer improvise on the composition he is rendering, similar to the way a jazz musician does in the West.
The first point, course, indicates that western classical music emphasises on harmony, in contrast to Indian classical music where the stress is on melody and rhythm.
Having understood that, I realise that many people in India have not explored western classical music much (except for a few pockets here and there) , primarily because there isn't much exposure, because concerts are few and expensive, because many people are unaware of the basic concepts governing western classical music and because some feel it is too complex a music form. However, if one keeps a few essential things in mind, one will be able to appreciate western classical music better - and at least enjoy it without getting into any complexities. If one gets a hang of this genre, it becomes quite an addiction. So here are some of the basic things one can keep in mind
1 Composer and era
When listening to a classical work, the first thing one notes is the composer and which era he belongs to. After all, the composer is the brainchild of the musical piece, and it is his imagination that musicians are expressing as dictated by him. The four eras in classical music, along with the main composers, are
a) Baroque period (1600-1770, roughly) - Bach, Vivaldi, Handel. The early music of Haydn came under this era. This era was preceded by European church music - a lot of which is termed gospel music these days.
b) Classical period (1770-1815, roughly) - Later Haydn, Mozart, early Beethoven. While Haydn is considered a bridge between the baroque and classical eras, Beethoven is seen as a bridge between the classical and Romantic eras
c) Romantic period (1815-1900, roughly) - Later-day Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Frederic Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Johannes Brahms, many others
d) Modern period (1900 onwards) - Igor Stravinsky, Dmitri Shostakovich, Edward Elgar, Benjamin Britten, Arnold Schoenberg. Charles Ives. Some people feel that though he lived before this era, Wagner's style of composition had a major influence on modern composers
There is another school which classifies conductors by country, but that can be done once one is a bit into the music
2 Conductor
The conductor is the person who leads the orchestra which plays the composer's music, whether it is live on stage or for a recording. Though all orchestras play the same piece the same way, a good conductor can bring about better tone, texture, colour and feel from the musicians. The best known conductors are Leonard Bernstein, Georg Solti, Otto Klemperer, Yehudi Menuhin, Daniel Barenboim, Antal Dorati and of course Zubin Menta.
3 The type of music
This could be either orchestral/ philharmonic ( where many musicians - even 50 or 100 - play together) or chamber music. The latter can have a small group of musicians - even 20 or 25 - or lssser numbers like solo, duet, trio and quartet. A string quartet, for instance, has two violins, a viola and a cello.
4 The type of composition
The popular ones are
a) Symphony - This is where a large number of musicians play a pre-composed piece. Symphonies have many violinists, violists and cellists, and a smaller number of bass players, horn players, percussionists, and on many occasions, a pianist
b) Concerto - Here again, a large number of musicians play together, but the difference is that one musician has a more prominent role. Thus in a piano concerto, the pianist is the soloist who is the backbone of the piece
c) Quartets, trios, duets and solos - Feature four, three, two and one player, respectively
d) Sonatas - These are small compositions which are played on instruments (as opposed to cantatas, which are sung)
e) Opera - This is considred another genre altogether, but the base is the same. Here, various singers play the roles of the cast in a story. Each singer has a certain voice range (for men it is bass, bass-baritone, baritone, tenor and countertenor, and for women it is alto, contralto, mezzo-soprano and soprano). They are backed by an orchestra. Popular opera composers are Verdi, Rossini, Puccini, Mozart and Wagner. Singers of operatic music include Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Maria Callas and Monserrat Caballe.
f) Waltzes, marches, dances - These are akin to our light classical music. Usually sprightly and catchy tunes. The most famous waltz composer is Johann Strauss Jr, best known for 'The Blue Danube'
g) Ballet - Longer pieces written for dance enactments. Popular ballet composers are Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky
h) Choir/ choral music - Many singers sing in harmony, but not for a story situation.
5 Movements
Just like Indian vocal music has vilambit and drut, and Indian instrumental music has alaap, jod and jhala, western classical music is divided into movements, often based on their tempo. Most symphonies have four movements - fast, slow, fast, extra-fast, played in that order. Concertos can have four or three movements - from fast to slow to fast again. Though different names are given to different movements based on their speed, the common ones are adagio (slow), largo (very slow), andante (slow, at a walking pace), allegro (fast), scherzo (very fast) and vivace (lively).
6 Instruments used
Last bust not the least, one must keep in mind the musical instruments used. The most prominent ones used in western classical music are the violin, cello, viola and piano, but on the whole instruments can be characterised into
a) Stringed instruments - Violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar (lesser used), harp (used more in earlier classical music)
b) Wind instruments - Flute, piccolo, oboe, bassoon, clarinet
c) Brass instruments - French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba
d) Percussion instruments - Timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals
e) Keyboard instruments - Piano, organ, harpsichord
Well, if one keeps these six things in mind, it becomes easier to appreciate western classical music. For those who are keen to make a beginning, here are 10 album recommendations
1 Vivaldi - The Four Seasons
2 Bach - 6 flute sonatas and The Brandenburg Concertos
3 Mozart - Symphony No 25 (heard in the Titan ad), Symphony No 40 (adapted by Salil Chowdhury in 'Itna na mujhse tu') and 'Eine Klein Nachtmusik'
4 Beethoven - Symphony No 5 and Moonlight Sonata
5 Rimmsky Korsakov - Scheherezade (a great CD for beginners)
6 Hector Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique
7 Johann Strauss Jr - Viennese Waltzes (light tunes - semi-classical in nature). Also called 'Vienerwaltzer'
8 Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (another great CD for beginners)
9 Stravinsky - Firebird and The Rite Of Spring
10 Rachmaninnoff - Piano concerto No 2 (pl don't try his piano concerto No 1)
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