"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
I discovered this guy who explains classical music in a down to earth way: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHurwitzClassics
and I really like how he does it.
BTW, the 'Figaro Figaro' aria they use in Bugs Bunny is from Rossini's Barber of Seville, right? (You probably knew that but forgot). Mozart's Figaro is very tuneful but they mostly used a lot of Rossini, and one time they did a brilliant parody of Wagner. There's probably a list of the classical pieces they used on Bugs Bunny somewhere if you want to check them out, because lots of us first heard these pieces on cartoons as kids.
The cartoon, The Rabbit of Seville, is Rossini. I don't recall whether it included anything from Mozart. I remember the Wagnerian cartoon; "Kill the Wabbit, kill the Wabbit!" Good stuff.
David Hurwitz is a music critic but a very fair one whose mostly non-technical explanations are very convincing. He has hundreds of videos which is daunting, but if you start with one that grabs you he pulls you in. Here's 'The worst Russian symphony' which he describes as 'the attack of the Avon lady': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwW0zqa1348
After that I finally feel I understand what's good and bad about the composer (no spoilers!). I also like how in other videos he takes down British pretentiousness (as in their supposedly definitive 'guides to music') and also explains what's good and bad about American music (Ormandy is ignored by snobs but is one of the best). Very fair and balanced, none better.
I just think you might like his videos once you try it - if you have time.
Rock me Amadeus.
ReplyDeleteIt's telling how often his stuff is used in other applications, like commercials, movies and, most importantly, Bugs Bunny cartoons.
It's like it's one size fits all.
ReplyDeleteI discovered this guy who explains classical music in a down to earth way:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHurwitzClassics
and I really like how he does it.
BTW, the 'Figaro Figaro' aria they use in Bugs Bunny is from Rossini's Barber of Seville, right? (You probably knew that but forgot). Mozart's Figaro is very tuneful but they mostly used a lot of Rossini, and one time they did a brilliant parody of Wagner. There's probably a list of the classical pieces they used on Bugs Bunny somewhere if you want to check them out, because lots of us first heard these pieces on cartoons as kids.
The cartoon, The Rabbit of Seville, is Rossini. I don't recall whether it included anything from Mozart. I remember the Wagnerian cartoon; "Kill the Wabbit, kill the Wabbit!" Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteDavid Hurwitz is a music critic but a very fair one whose mostly non-technical explanations are very convincing. He has hundreds of videos which is daunting, but if you start with one that grabs you he pulls you in. Here's 'The worst Russian symphony' which he describes as 'the attack of the Avon lady':
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwW0zqa1348
After that I finally feel I understand what's good and bad about the composer (no spoilers!). I also like how in other videos he takes down British pretentiousness (as in their supposedly definitive 'guides to music') and also explains what's good and bad about American music (Ormandy is ignored by snobs but is one of the best). Very fair and balanced, none better.
I just think you might like his videos once you try it - if you have time.