Classical Music - It's A Knockout (Winner: Jupiter; Runner-Up: O Fortuna)

[Corki]

The "It's A Knockout" for James Bond songs was won by A-Ha and their song The Living Daylights, which beat Louis Armstrong's We Have All The Time In The World in the Final. In the 3rd/4th Play-Off, Lulu's The Man with the Golden Gun triumphed over Rita Coolidge's All Time High.

 

"It's A Knockout" continues this week, but we are returning to the longer format of 2 weeks - and this means there are 16 songs instead of 8! The usual rules of a vote a day contines though, so make sure you post your votes. And for the next two weeks (Monday 9th March 2009 to Monday 23rd March 2009), we will be concentrating on classical music as part of the classical music theme for March.

 

Picking just 16 songs from the vaste classical music world was tougher than normal, but I have gone for a mixture of my favourites as well as well known pieces. You will see the ties in the next thread, as well as a bit of info on each piece.

 

 

"It's a Knockout" - Format

For those of you who have not been involved with a "It's A Knockout" thread before, the rules are quite simple. The Band of the Red Hand is DM's travel and music ORG, and "It's a Knockout" is a knock out competition to find out the winner of the chosen category (past categories include Best Selling Single of 2008, Favourite Christmas Carol). Each day, 2 songs will be posted, along with a link so you can listen to the song if you do not know it, and all you have to do is post which is your favourite song of the two. After a day, the votes will be counted, and the winning song will progress to the next round, until we only have 1 song left as the winner at the end of the competition. It's very simple, so I look forward to seeing you getting involved!

 

So without further a-do, let the competition begin!

[Corki]

RESULTS

 

Round 1

 

1. Jupiter by Gustav Holst beat Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel (4-0)

2. Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner beat Toccata and Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach (5-0)

3. Sabre Dance by Aram Khachaturian lost to Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber (3-4)

4. 5th Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven lost to O Fortuna by Carl Orff (2-4)

5. In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Greig beat Spring by Antonio Vivaldi (3-2)

6. William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini beat La Donna è Mobile by Giuseppe Verdi (5-1)

7. The Great Gate of Kiev by Modest Mussorgsky beat On the Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II (3-2)

8. 1812 Overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky beat Les Toreadors by Georges Bizet (6-1)

 

2nd Round

 

1. Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber beat The Great Gate of Kiev by Modest Mussorgsky (4-2)

2. William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini lost to Jupiter by Gustav Holst (2-3)

3. Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner beat In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Greig (5-1)

4. O Fortuna by Carl Orff beat 1812 Overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (4-2)

 

Semi-Final

 

1. Jupiter by Gustav Holst beat Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner (3-2)

2. Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber lost to O Fortuna by Carl Orff (1-6)

 

3rd/4th Play-off

 

1. Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner beat Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber (5-0)

 

Final

 

1. Jupiter by Gustav Holst beat O Fortuna by Carl Orff (4-3)

[Corki]

THE CHOSEN PIECES OF MUSIC

 

1. In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Greig

This piece of music comes from Greig's piece of work called Peer Gynt, though it was originally written for Henrik Ibsen's play of the same name. The sequence illustrated by the music of In the Hall of the Mountain King is when Peer sneaks into the Mountain King's castle. The piece then describes Peer's attempts to escape from the King and his trolls. For those in the U.K. Alton Towers used the piece on their adverts.

 

2. Jupiter by Gustav Holst

This is probably one of the most famous pieces of classical music out there. It comes from Holst's Planet Suite, which is a great piece of music for Classical beginners to listen to. Jupiter is known as the "Bringer of Joy", and that happy feeling is very much evident throughout the piece. For those of a keen ear, you will notice the same music as used for the hymn, I Vow To Thee My Country, which happens to be one of my favourite hymns - about 3 minutes into the piece.

 

3. The Great Gate of Kiev by Modest Mussorgsky

This happens to be my favourite piece of classical music at the moment. The Great Gate of Kiev is the rousing finale to Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, where he cleverly depicts various scenes with the music. The Promenade that links each picture (i.e. the walk between the pictures) features prominently. It sounds like a great procession is going through in celebration. A great piece of music!

 

4. Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber

I first listened to this piece electronically by William Orbit, which I think is fantastic. My dad then bought me Samuel Barber's version - the original. Composed in 1935, it forms part of Barber's String Quartet No. 1, Op. 11. It's a really flowing, easy-going piece of music - brilliant to relax to. It really does show off string instruments.

 

5. William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini

This is the preview to the Rossini's opera, William Tell. It's a sample of what is to come in the opera. This is a wonderful piece of music to see the whole orchestra being used. The most famous aspect of this piece of music is the Finale - and those old enough to remember will realise it is the Lone Ranger!

 

6. Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner

The Ride of the Valkyries is the name given to the beginning of Act III of Die Walküre, an opera by Wagner. The composer likes to do things on a grand scale - and Die Walküre is no exception! The music is building up for the lifting of the curtain, which reveals a mountain peak where four of the eight Valkyrie sisters of Brünnhilde have gathered in preparation for the transportation of fallen heroes to Valhalla. It is often used for military-like exercises in film and TV, for example, the 1979 film Apocalypse Now. It's universally known - and a classic!

 

7. 1812 Overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

The name along is known throughout the music world. Composed in 1812, it was written to commemorate Russia's defense of Moscow against Napoleon's advancing Grande Armée at the Battle of Borodino. The piece is made famous by the climactic volley of cannon fire and ringing chimes. The piece moves depicts the distress of the Russian people at the hands of the invading French through a mixture of pastoral and militant themes. Keen listeners will not the use of the French National Anthem, La Marseillais, which gives the effect of the fighting actually taking place.

 

8. 5th Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven

Again, another one of those well known pieces of music from the Classical music world. There are so many features that are recognisable, especially the distinctive four-note "short-short-short-long" motif that is used twice. It is interesting to note that the BBC used this motif to introduce their news bulletins, because "short-short-short-long" represented V in morse code - and evoked victory. The "short-short-short-long" motif generates tense moments, but the rest of the piece is smooth, relaxing and also stirring.

 

9. Toccata and Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach

Some different as we have a bit of organ music - and probably the most famous piece of organ music. Just listening to it shows it is a rather difficult piece to play, but it is a joy to listen to - and shows off how the organ should be played.

 

10. O Fortuna by Carl Orff

Everyone knows of Carmina Burana, Carl Orff's famous cantata. And O Fortuna is the famous movement from the piece. Many artists, especially in the metal world of music, have performed the movement. It's a wonderful working of a large chorus and loud, bashful music (drums, cymbols). It works fantastically! And it's in Latin - even better!

 

11. On the Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II

Traditional known for being a piece of music to waltz to, On the Blue Danube is a flowing, graceful piece of music, just like the river that runs through most of central Europe. It frequently appears at the Vienna New Year's concert. Another nice and relaxing piece of music to listen to and let your stresses disappear.

 

12. Les Toreadors by Georges Bizet

Les Toreadors is one of the famous arias from Bizet's light "comic" opera, Carmen. It is often a favourite of baritone singers. Light, cheerful, and full of victory - it describes the situation in the bull ring perfectly as the winner gets the adoration of the crowd he aims to please!

 

13. Sabre Dance by Aram Khachaturian

This piece comes from Khachaturian's ballet called Gayane. It's extremely frantic to start with, evoking the whirling war dance in an Armenian dance, where the dancers display their skill with sabres. Its excited nature has earmarked it as a common concert piece, and has popularity in modern music as well.

 

14. Spring by Antonio Vivaldi

Spring is one of the four violin concertos that makes up Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, and also happens to be one of the popular Baroque pieces of music. The texture of each concerto is varied, resembling its respective season. A jovial piece of music, this reflects the newness that spring brings. But it then slows as winter fights back, but the cheerfulness wins through as springs blossoms.

 

15. Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel

The Hallelujah Chorus comes from Handel's oratio The Messiah - which I had to sing at school during music lessons and hated! It is one of the best choral pieces of music out there. Inspiration comes from Christianity's and Judaism's concept of the Messiah ("The Anointed One"). For the Hallelujah Chorus, the New Testament book of Revelations is the focus. Again, a cheerful and rousing piece of music.

 

16. La Donna è Mobile by Giuseppe Verdi

Translated, La Donna è Mobile means "Woman is fickle" and is sung by the Duke of Mantua. The aria comes from Verdi's opera Rigoletto. It showcases the tenor's voice extremely well. The piece has a rather stoccato effect, which highlights the unfinished business in the opera.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 1

 

 

 

Jupiter by Gustav Holst

This is probably one of the most famous pieces of classical music out there. It comes from Holst's Planet Suite, which is a great piece of music for Classical beginners to listen to. Jupiter is known as the "Bringer of Joy", and that happy feeling is very much evident throughout the piece. For those of a keen ear, you will notice the same music as used for the hymn, I Vow To Thee My Country, which happens to be one of my favourite hymns - about 3 minutes into the piece.

 

 

 

vs.

 

 

Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel

The Hallelujah Chorus comes from Handel's oratio The Messiah - which I had to sing at school during music lessons and hated! It is one of the best choral pieces of music out there. Inspiration comes from Christianity's and Judaism's concept of the Messiah ("The Anointed One"). For the Hallelujah Chorus, the New Testament book of Revelations is the focus. Again, a cheerful and rousing piece of music.

 

 

 

Voting ends Tuesday 10th March 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

The M-G's vote is for the Holst's Jupiter.

[mottlee]

my vote goes to Holst Jupiter

 

[Imperium]

Jupiter

[North Star]

Jupiter...fantastic bit of music!!!

[Corki]

That is a 4-0 victory for Gustav Holst and Jupiter.

 

The 2nd tie is about to go up.

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 2

 

 

 

Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner

The Ride of the Valkyries is the name given to the beginning of Act III of Die Walküre, an opera by Wagner. The composer likes to do things on a grand scale - and Die Walküre is no exception! The music is building up for the lifting of the curtain, which reveals a mountain peak where four of the eight Valkyrie sisters of Brünnhilde have gathered in preparation for the transportation of fallen heroes to Valhalla. It is often used for military-like exercises in film and TV, for example, the 1979 film Apocalypse Now. It's universally known - and a classic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSKL5E3zSjs

 

 

 

vs.

 

 

Toccata and Fugue by Johann Sebastian Bach

Some different as we have a bit of organ music - and probably the most famous piece of organ music. Just listening to it shows it is a rather difficult piece to play, but it is a joy to listen to - and shows off how the organ should be played.

 

 

 

Voting ends Wednesday 11th March 2009 at 11pm (GMT) - or as close to after that as I am out to a gig and not 100% sure when I get back in!

[Corki]

I am not the greatest fan of organ music; and my vote goes to Wagner's The Ride of the Valkyries, which I just love!

[Samuraiflip05]

Dude that is so wrong!!  in the first round......these are two of the powerhouse pieces.

 

Oh well....Ride of the Valkyries

[North Star]

id have to agree....but i love both pieces!!!

[Felicur]

Ride of the Valkyries

[Imperium]

I am going with Ride of the Valkayries

 

 

Isn't Toccata and Fugue usually quicker than the version in that you tube vid?

 

I agree two huge powerhouses in round 1 clashing

[Corki]

I've just got back in from the Nightwish gig, which was awesome. A review will go up in the next few days.

 

Sadly, that was the way the draw happened...and it's like most knockout stages, 2 giants have to face each other.

 

And after adding things up, I make that a 5-0 win to Wagner's The Ride of the Valkyries.

 

Time for the next tie!

[Corki]

Round 1, Tie 3

 

 

Sabre Dance by Aram Khachaturian

This piece comes from Khachaturian's ballet called Gayane. It's extremely frantic to start with, evoking the whirling war dance in an Armenian dance, where the dancers display their skill with sabres. Its excited nature has earmarked it as a common concert piece, and has popularity in modern music as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUFWaauGPCs

 

 

 

vs.

 

 

Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber

I first listened to this piece electronically by William Orbit, which I think is fantastic. My dad then bought me Samuel Barber's version - the original. Composed in 1935, it forms part of Barber's String Quartet No. 1, Op. 11. It's a really flowing, easy-going piece of music - brilliant to relax to. It really does show off string instruments.

 

 

Voting ends Thursday 12th March 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Samuraiflip05]

Saber Dance, Saber Dance, Sabre Dance.  8)

[mcs0083]

Sabre Dance here

[Corki]

While the Saber Dance is interesting to listen to, I'm going for Adagio for Strings. Really relaxing and a fantastic piece of music!

[mcs0083]

Awwww :(

[Imperium]

I am also going to go for Adagio for Strings

[Felicur]

Adagio for Strings

[North Star]

i dont like the saber dance at all, so im going for adagio for strings as its probably one of my fav bits of classical music :)

[Krakalakachkn]

While Adagio For Strings is very good, I'm going to have to say Sabre Dance for it's uniqueness and frivolity.  Most likely neither will win in the end anyway