Have you ever wanted a fun and quick way to explore classical music? At manuscriptnotes.com Nick provides this with posts about various composers from different ages. His lively comments are easy to read, and he includes a link to the music he is writing about. You’ll want to listen and watch this one, with gorgeous scenes displayed as the music unfolds.
Somebody recently asked me which of Beethoven’s nine symphonies is my favourite.
After going through them quickly in my head, I could only reach one certain conclusion. “As long as it’s not the ninth, my favourite would have to be the one I’m listening to at the time.” That’s how hard it is. I exclude the ninth, because it just doesn’t connect with me, despite it having perhaps the most exquisite of all his symphonic slow movements.
That said, as I get older, so have I come to appreciate more the pieces by composers introduced to me in my younger years. In that context, I have not the slightest doubt that if you were to ask me which one piece I would recommend to anyone wanting an introduction to classical music, it would have to be Beethoven’s 6th Symphony, more usually known as The Pastoral.
Which still doesn’t make it…
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Mehrling Muse 
The Pastoral is my favourite by a long way.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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I’m so glad!
xxx musical hugs xxx
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This is amazing Anne!!
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I’m glad you think so, too. I have lots of CDs and books on music, but they aren’t put together like this.
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The Pastoral is wonderful, but the fifth is so exciting.
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Sad but I must admit I am not much into classical music.
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Thanks for sharing this great music blog!
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I hope people will follow him. He posted about once a month last year. I was always waiting eagerly for the next one to come.
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I love Beethoven…I’ll check out your link.
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I always learn something from his posts. Hope you like this one.
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Hmmm it might be neat to introduce my students to one of Beethoven’s pieces each day so they can have an opinion.
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My favorite river piece (not Beethoven) is the Moldau. I wish children were exposed to music of all ages. I first heard Renaissance music as a college student. What an impact it made on me! How had I lived that long without hearing such exquisite music?
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I play a variety of music during quiet time each day- classical, jazz, piano, anything. Would love suggestions
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That is marvelous that you play music in the classroom.
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I’m trying to introduce them to types of music they may not hear at home
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That’s the best thing you can do for them! Get them started early.
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I’m still partial to a short piece of his that I learned on piano (as a 45-year-old self-taught wannabe pianist)! Fuer Elise. I find it so lovely!
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That is a lovely piece. I’ve played it, too. I’ll bet there is a copy in this house somewhere. That’s something that you were teaching yourself to play the piano.
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Unfortunately I didn’t teach myself to read titles properly! It’s Für Elise. 😁 Yes, I did it for awhile… but I could never get the correct fingering down, so that really held me back. Oh well. I can play guitar, though. Sorta.
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That’s more than I can do. The strings cut my fingers, and I gave up.
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Aww. The trick is to start with a nylon-string guitar. And only start with a few minutes a day. Gradually working up to more. Steel strings can come later if at all.
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We had access to steel strings. This was about 58 years ago in a small rural town. The world can be glad I never had a chance. Truth to tell, I’m glad now.
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Aw. Well ok then.
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