In a close battle, Samual Barber's Adagio for Strings progresses with a 4-3 win.

 

The 4th tie of the first round is about to go up.

Round 1, Tie 4

 

 

 

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhcR1ZS2hVo (Part 1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDar-ycF5fE& (Part 2)

Please Note: This is about 30 minutes long, hence why it is 2 YouTube clips!

 

 

vs.

 

 

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!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF6SneSnE_o

 

 

 

Voting ends Friday 13th March 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

Tough one....ove both these pieces!

 

I'll have to pick O Fortuna though!

This is a terrible choice...both should be in the top 4.  It tears my heart, but I'm going to have to go with the perennial classic 5th Symphony

O Fortuna....reminds me of Sephiroths tune.  ;D

Same here ^^

I'm going with O Fortuna too

While I feel O Fortuna is going to win the tie, I'm voting for the 5th Symphony by Beethoven. I do think Carmina Burana is a fantastic ensemble, but it doesn't get my vote here.

A 4-2 victory for Carl Orff's O Fortuna, which continues its journey in "Classical Music - It's A Knockout".

 

The fifth tie of the 1st Round is about to go up.

Round 1, Tie 5

 

 

 

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzyi3C4gNnE

 

 

vs.

 

 

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.

 

 

Voting ends Saturday 14th March 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

Spring  ;D

Spring

Hall of the Mountain King, damn you all!!!

Time to make this a tie - and the chance of the M-G having the final say in 10 minutes or so. Yeap, my vote goes to In the Hall of the Mountain King.

Because of the tie, I am going to exercise the final and deciding vote - and I am staying with my vote above for In the Hall of the Mountain King.

 

Therefore, In the Hall of the Mountain King wins narrowly by 3 votes to 2.

Round 1, Tie 6

 

 

 

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!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msFm4upm-_E (Part 1)

(part 2)

 

 

 

vs.

 

 

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.

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 15th March 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

I am going to go with

La Donna è Mobile by Giuseppe Verdi

William Tell.....and I was surprised to hear the section leading up to the finale....the light spring sounding piece.....I never knew that was part of it.  :-\ ;D

William Tell

william tell

William Tell

Before this ends in about 20 minutes time, the M-G's vote goes to the William Tell Overture.

Time is up! And the William Tell Overture progresses with a 5-1 win.

 

The 7th tie of the 1st Round is going up now.

Round 1, Tie 7

 

 

 

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!

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

 

 

vs.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Voting ends Monday 16th March 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

This is an easy vote for the M-G as it is Mussorgsky's The Great Gate of Kiev.