My current obsession is in the form of a song. More specifically, it's the 3-minute introduction to Tchaikovsky's 1st piano concerto. I really can't find words to describe it, but about 2 and a half minutes in, I feel like the strings are gripping my heart and pulling me up into the heavens, haha. Meanwhile the piano is pounding away...it's such a great contrast. Tchaikovsky is the man. I started to get really into his music after listening to the 6th Symphony on a record I found at home. Everyone is familiar with his ballet works, but there is so much more amazing stuff to be heard.
Nowadays my YouTube usage has been geared toward finding performances of classical pieces that I love. Am I a nerd? Answer: very yes. I also got a $15 itunes gift card for Christmas, and what do I spend it on? A whooooole bunch of classical music. Anyway, here are some of my favorites:
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Adagio for Strings - Barber. It's so powerful...so sad. A thousand images could be put to this piece. -
Pavane Pour Une Enfant Defunte - Ravel. It was originally for piano and then made into an orchestral work, but I love this version.
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Symphony No. 5, Mvt. 4 - Beethoven. Listening to this is pretty exhausting, haha. It might sound crazy, but this ending reminds me of the final push in a drum corps closer; it has just as much energy and I bet performing it gives the same amazing rush.
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Andante Cantabile - Tchaikovsky. Seriously, sometimes I think there is nothing more beautiful than the sound of cello.
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Piano Concerto No. 20 K466 - Mozart. Not gonna lie, whenever I hear this I think of Salieri being wheeled through the asylum at the end of Amadeus...nevertheless, it makes me really happy. I love Mozart.
