Passion for classical music (as well as others)?

Do you perceive any difference in the way you play or listen to classical music versus popular music? Do you feel sensuality with classical music or is it largely analytical? For example, have you heard Yo Yo Ma play Bach Prelude from Cello Suite? Vladimir Horowitz play Chopin Etude In C Minor? Amazingly sensual to listen to .... Since I don't play cello, I wouldn't know how Yo Yo Ma feels playing the Suite. And Vladimir? He's passed, but he was a virtuoso! I love Itzack Perlman, Joshua Bell, and Michael Jones, cellist. Anyone listen and feel the sensuality of the classical music? I am not sure the status of music interests nowadays, whether people still listen at all to classical music (except for majors). Of course, classical music alone can't suffice. One needs a variety, but I am just wondering whether someone out there really loves classical music and whether you believe the nature of classical music is best expressed analytically. Thanks.

Passion for classical music (as well as others)?
i am a music major in college, so naturally i love it. I started playing the piano after kindergarten because I had a Beethoven CD that I loved. Right now I really like Puccini's and Mozart's operas. I love Beethoven's symphonies and sonatas, and rachmaninoff's piano concertos.





To answer your question, I think in order to or perform the music you need to be able to understand it enough to analyze it, but you don't need that to enjoy it. I loved classical music before I knew a thing about it. I love it more now, but that could be because of a higher understand or more exposure.





I enjoy performing Bach on the piano and his chorale works, but I have never enjoyed watching anyone perform his work. I think that may be because you have to analyze every note when you are performing it, but when you watch it you just listen to it. I enjoy performing and watching mozart and beethoven, because not only is their music just as perfect, but it is filled with passion. All different periods, but still the same concept.





Sorry my answer was kinda all over the place.
Reply:On feeling music it's sensuality, I dont think it gets any better than Gustav Mahler. His name isn't brought up in most circles as much as Bach, Beethoven or Brahms, but his syphonies are GUTwrenching. So much that many critics think of his work as over-emotional.





I disagree, though. I heard Symphony No. 1 (no2 is my fave) in concert once and just bawled after it was over.





But to answer your last question, classical music is not best expressed analytically. If a piece interests you, then great. If it doesn't, you may learn to appreciate it later.
Reply:If you have a passion for classical music, leave the analyzing out of it! I have an extensive collection of classic CD's, and my 2 top favourites for raising goose bumps is the Hallelujah Chorus (Handel's "Messiah") and the 1812 Overture, by Tchaikovsky using real cannons and church bells. Knocks the spots off the junk produced nowadays!