Classical intrumental Guidance please

[tones]

If you are coming from a modern pop/rock stance you could start with the Romantic music like Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique, mentioned above somewhere. Easier to start this way. Romantic music is orchestral music that often tells a story rather than the more abstract and 'mathematical' classical music of say Bach or Mozart that takes a theme and inverts/twists /bends/ shifts and ends up back where it started. Aformentioned Symphonie Fanstastic tells a story - read it on the liner notes as you listen - you will 'get' it.

I think that's an excellent idea - most film scores rely on "romantic" constructions and themes. Indeed some of the stuff almost seems copied! e.g. the storming of Fort Wagner in Glory strongly leans on Carl Orff's Carmina Burana:

For a complete contrast, look at my Gabrieli thread - the brass music composed by the Gabrielis for San Marco in Venice is wonderfully sonorous.

 

[jamjar]

There's an awful lot of adverts and films which use classical music and so some your favourite or memorable ones can be a good starting point eg the Tallis Fantasia in 'Master and Commander', Hanson's second symphony for 'Alien', The Hovis and Pedigree Chum adverts ( Dvorak's New World symphony ) , Sibelius' - Peleas and Melisande from the 'Sky at Night'. It also gives a tune to latch onto when listening top a longer piece.

 

[cjyosemite]

Lots to get through As expected Should keep me busy during my listening sessions.

I, & am certain others, would be interested to hear of any progress in your exploration of classical music.