Discover > My favorite music

There's so much to choose from! Musical styles are always evolving; something old is changed to form a new style, two
different styles blend for the first time...I love that.

Classical music certainly isn't the most popular at the moment and there are several reasons why. I believe that part of that reason is that there isn't enough promotion of the music of today, music written in the last several years. Also, the presentation hasn't changed muuch in the last 100 years at least but trends have. It's hard to be popular when you're the guys wearing tuxedos and sitting still while MTV's got people jumping around in your face to get your attention. To me, Classical music is different than popular styles. Neither replaces the other, we need both. I love freaking out at a stadium full of Tool fools just as much as I love hearing the Vienna Philharmonic. Here's a partial list I like, and I'll be happy to make specific recommendations based on your tastes. Email me if there's something you think I should hear, too.

Classical

Early Music-there are too many composers and not enough big names to compile a good list. I love listening to and performing music written in the 16th and 17th centuries. It's usually so lively and there's lots of opportunity to improvise creatively. Music from this era is written for smaller number of instruments and I also enjoy the energy of a smaller ensemble.

  • J.S. Bach solo cello and violin works and choral music such as the Passions of St. Matthew and St. John
    My acupuncturist says that Bach is good for reorganizing onesself.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart symphonies; my favorites are 35, 36 and 41 especially slow movements
  • Ludwig van Beethoven-symphonies, string quartets, piano concertos
  • Johannes Brahms-symphonies (2 is my fave), sextets for strings
  • Gabriel Faure-Pavane
  • Ralph Vaughn Williams-Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
  • Richard Strauss-Der Rosenkavelier, tone poems such as Don Juan
  • Sergei Prokoviev-symphonies, violin concertos
  • Dimitri Shostakovich-symphonies, cello concertos
  • Olivier Messiaen- Turangalila Symphony (not for the faint at heart!)
  • Igor Stravinsky-Rite of Spring, Firebird, Violin Concerto
  • Arnold Schoenberg-Transfigured Night
  • Samuel Barber-Violin Concerto, Adagio for Strings
  • Benjamin Britten-Peter Grimes, Sinfonia da Requiem
  • Arvo Pa"rt-Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten, Fratres
  • Anton Webern-orchestral music

Not Classical

  • Led Zeppelin
  • Paul Oakenfold
  • Sasha
  • Yo la Tengo
  • Beastie Boys
  • Norah Jones
  • The Doors
  • Tool
  • Tortoise
  • Amelia Cuni
  • Jane's Addiction
  • Porno for Pyros
  • Alice in Chains
  • Soundgarden
  • Vanessa Carlton
  • Medeski Martin and Wood
  • Brad Mehldau
  • Zakir Hussain
  • Thievery Corporation
  • Portishead
  • Sarah Maclachlan
  • Miles Davis
  • Avril Lavigne
  • Beth Nielsen Chapman
  • Jewel