General Chat

Hi Rebs :-) I love Mozart from when I was little, something about his youth I remember I think 1970-71 Waldo Del Los Rios doing what was called a jazzed up version of Mozart 40th I decided to check the way it should be, well not much jazzing went on as the original had plenty of that :-))) Pat x

Hi Huia or do I call you extinct bird lol. In the 1970's a friend of mine brought me to the Albert Hall for the 1812 Overture live it was the most amazing thing I had heard and seen I cannot describe the feeling knowing the music so well it was truly awesome the cannon noises and pyrotechnics well it was just the greatest thing, fantastic, surely there is something that could be a school trip I would say the kids with be amazed at it. Sheila I have been trying to get into Wagner but I do have difficulty tried before and it didn't work :-( Bryan I know what you mean, but when tiredness, stress or just chilling nothing like a little of classical, I have sat and watched a bit of ballet when it's been Tchaikovsky, but then I am biased but have never been able for ballet or Opera :-( except for the odd Aria the one I adore is from Madame Butterfly 'One Fine Day' even liked it when Malcolm MacLaren took it :-))) Elizabeth exactly my thoughts if children are introduced to classical music they either get into it or its at the back of their mind and maybe sometime in the future they can appreciate it :-))) Hi Alter will try that sounds good to me ;-)

Hi Kim :-))) I agree with you how can anyone resist Beethoven but there are people who do lol. A friend of my mum and dad's from many years ago who would have been in his fifities at the time was complaining a lot about his neighbour who lived downstairs, this mate was going on about the bloke playing his music really loud, so of course my parents thought he meant pop music but this bloke says no it's that weird stuff lol. Dah dah dah dah, dah dah dah dah turns out it was Beethoven's fifth LMHO it really takes all sorts. I remember Carnival of the Animals from School and I am sure Dance Macabre was used in a film quite surreal but I can't remember the name of the film :-( I really love Saint Saens Symphony No.3. the melody which was adapted for 'If I had words' or is it 'If Only I had Words' ?most people know that now from the film 'Babe' as far as I remember 3 mice sing it in the film :-)Such a lovely melody, the reason I like Tchaikovsky so much is for the melodies.Wish they would let the kids hear even snippets of Classical Music broaden their musical minds Pat x

Hiya Pat, we used to have Mozart playing in the background for short periods during school exams. Apparently it helps with concentration levels. Something about the timing in Mozarts particular style stimulates certain areas of the brain. Skated to a fair bit of the stuff back in the day as well. Now, on the rare occassions I get rid of all the family at the same time at night, I love nothing more than to sit in the living room with the classical blaring, soft candles and a bottle of wine. Sure beats some of the crap they call music these days. Rebs x

Pat!!! I must also be uncool then because I LOVE Classical Music! At the Nursery where I work with 4 year olds - we have always incorporated classical music into our curriculum and now recent brain research is showing the enormous benefits of the use of classical music in early childhood education. Don't just think of classical music as 'soothing and non-aggressive' because it isn't all like that. Most of it has a strong beat and I defy people NOT to tap their feet to most of Beethoven's symphonies!! Besides playing it as background music, we introduce it during music class. We listen to different styles. Discuss the instruments. The tempo. Whether it is happy or sad or angry or what other emotion it conveys to us. A lot of times you can use different music for certain themes. Saint-Saens' 'Carnival of the Animals' could be used for a circus or animal theme. The children could act out the animals while listening or draw the animals they hear. (And listen to the Aquarium section...for those of us into Disney's Beauty and the Beast it is strangely similar) For Halloween you might listen to Mussorgsky's 'A Night On Bald Mountain' or Saint-Saens' 'Danse Macabre.' Be creative and have a great time with it! What children learn to appreciate now will stay with them their entire lives! I love introducing children to all my old friends: Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Handel, DuParc, Faure, Saint-Saens, etcetera! ;o))) Kim XXXXX

CB That made me laugh although not really funny when it happens bit like the phone ringing just when you get into the water. :-) That's why I can listen to 'Carmen' and sing the words from the Carmen Jones songs lol. I love loads of Beethoven and nearly everything I hear of Tchaikovsky but always loved Symphony No.6. 'The Pathetique' when I was young I had the 1812 overture on LP and with it was 'Serenade for strings which I liked too. I don't know his other symphonies too well but should really check them out, I like lots of others Brahams especially the Hungarian Dances and Mozart :-))) There's room in everyone's house for a little Classical Music :-))) Pat x

Pat, I loved that Carmen Jones film too. I like the music from lots of operas, it's the screeching I don't like. What really annoys me is when I put on Classic FM to listen while I'm in the bath. The minute I get into the water, they start with the opera, so either I have to get out again to turn off the radio or I have to sit and suffer. There is a CD called 'Opera for Orchestra', which is just the music - no singing. I really must get hold of a copy of that. Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony is my favourite. That man was a genius with melodies. CB >|< X

Fantasia on a theme by Thomas tallis- Vaughan Williams 1910-english composer- Try listening to this on your own with no distractions,and on full blast.

In my sons college,they play classical music in the background ,for the kids in detention, as they say it helps them to concentrate.In the primary school,they are also playing classical music in the background.The wee ones enjoy it and it has them asking teacher about it.When they hear the music elsewhere,they can identify with it.I think its actually a good idea.I walk out of shops if the music is naff and loud.

hi pat, i've always enjoyed classical music,but am not a fan of opera,or ballet. if i'me stressed,i always put on my 'best of morse' cd,it has all the classics played on the television series. bryan.

Oh good, I'm VERY uncool!! I think a good blast of Wagner might do the trick for the 'yobs' - it worked for Robert Duvall in 'Apocalypse Now'...!

That is really interesting Dee not surprising either, thank you. Dave a lot of Classical music sends shivers down my spine too :-) LOL Yes Len I suppose it does ;-))) Roxanne no harm being uncool, and enjoying what you like I feel the yobs are losing out, maybe if they had been encouraged very young they would feel a lot different when they get older :-( Pat x

Oh Dear!!!I must be very uncool!!lol i love my classical music:-))

It deters yobs as an appreciation demands some sort of intellectual activity. len

I too love to listen to some Classical Music, I find it uplifting, soothing and relaxing, all at the one time. I wouldn't listen to it all the time & I am no expert but know what I like. When I was in Primary School I remember sitting on the floor in Assembly Hall listening to Classic Music it was encouraged for children to listen to it :-) When I read why they are piping it in some places I felt it was sad that it should be used to deter young people from staying around an area :-( There you are CB now there is a worthwhile thought :-) The only opera I can listen to is Carmen because of Carmen Jones the film lol. Pat x

I love classical music what a yob I am then? 'O Mio Bambino Caro' sends shivers down my spine. Davex

Hi Pat, It certainly doesn't deter this particular 'yob'! LOL I've always loved classical music, right from early childhood, but I also loved popular music till around 1990 or so. I sort of lost the plot then - suddenly I'd switch on the radio and struggle to find anything that had a tune or didn't have boring, repetitive chanted lyrics, so I gave up. I don't like all classical stuff - opera is a particular dislike, as is 'fiddly' Baroque stuff, such as the works of Vivaldi. I much prefer the grander, orchestral works with clever use of melodies running through them. I flit between Classic FM and VIrgin Radio now, till the adverts get on my nerves, then it's back to the CD, tape and record collection to the stuff I know and love. The thing about this 'deterrent' of yobs is that if they don't congregate where the music's playing, they just go elsewhere. Maybe next time they're driving me mad in our road, I'll give them a blast of Benjamin Britten or Shostakovich and see if it does the trick. LOL CB >|< X

Pat, you may be interested in this, from the web The Mozart effect can refer to: A trademark of Don Campbell, Inc. for a set of commercial recordings and related materials, which are claimed to harness the effect for a variety of purposes. Campbell defines the mark as 'an inclusive term signifying the transformational powers of music in health, education, and well-being. It represents the general use of music to reduce stress, depression, or anxiety; induce relaxation or sleep; activate the body; and improve memory or awareness. Innovative and experimental uses of music and sound can improve listening disorders, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, autism, and other mental and physical disorders and injuries.' I first heard of the Mozart effect through a friend who has an autistic child Dee

:-))) LOL Just thinking maybe Genes should use this to calm and soothes their members, well it could work for some of us :-))) Pat x

Pat - Yup - you got it!....Eeeevil, are'nt I.