These are some of my favorite songs ever! And they're the perfect set to end The Sound of Music Classics Collection. This is the last group of amazing Classical music I'm sharing. I hope you enjoyed the series. I'm currently working on the next set for a different genre. But until then, I hope you like the music from this ecstatic set.
As always, let me know if the song clips don't play properly, and I'll fix it. In the meantime, feel free to click on the artist and song title to open the song using your own player or to download it for later listening pleasure. I want to hear your opinions and thoughts about these songs.
On a related note, my friends like to call these songs the Cowboy Collection, because they do sound like rowdy, thrilling cowboy songs with a dash of feisty, Spanish flair. There's a maverick, fierce spirit that radiates from all these songs, and they are inspiring and revitalizing. I hope you enjoy!
Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man (Version of Symphony No. 3, Fourth Movement)
Fanfare indeed! A rousing call! An anthem for the Olympics! Every major sporting event has played this song to herald champions, because it's so grand and celebratory!
Gioachino Rossini: William Tell Overture
Yes! It is the theme from The Lone Ranger! Absolutely fantastic! Round up the posse! We're chasing down outlaws!
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro - Overture
A vibrant and vivid piece!
Felix Bartholdy Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 “Italian”: I. Allegro vivace
Just a splendid and magnificent masterpiece! Popular at balls and big formal dance events.
Georges Bizet: Carmen Suite #1: Les Toreadors
Everybody loves a parade!
Jacques Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld, Act II: Can-Can
Can! Can! The tune that makes you want to kick up your heels and twirl and dance!
Mikhail Glinka: Ruslan and Ludmila, Overture
An exquisite, sweeping, resplendent piece.
Edvard Grieg: Rigaudon (from Holberg Suite OP. 40)
A dynamic and delightful masterpiece.
Aaron Copland: 4 Dance Episodes from Rodeo: Hoe-Down
One of my favorite pieces ever! I love this song! Aaron Copland is a genius! This is my favorite modern classical masterpiece of all time! It is vivacious, extraordinary, majestic, and euphoric. It really makes me want to hop on a horse and go for a ride to round up some cattle for a long drive up the dusty, wild trails. Or ride a feisty bull in a rodeo. Or grab a partner and party down at the barn hoedown! Just awesome! This song just makes me want to yell, "Yee Ha!", leap up, and dance exuberantly, and I have done so a few times!
I first heard this catchy and zesty tune on the late night a.m. radio back home on the farm when I was a small child. And everytime I hear this song, it has stirred up excitement and an adventurous spirit in me. And since then, I've heard this song in various commercials and tv shows and films.
But one of the most memorable moments I recall hearing this song was during my first ever visit to Las Vegas. We drove up from Arizona, where were spending the Holidays. It was a long drive. But so worth it. We got a place to stay just outside of Las Vegas. It was a last minute, spur of the moment decision to celebrate New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. We just had Xmas in Phoenix, and it was the first time we'd seen each other after a few years apart. The Holidays were a chance to reconnect and have an adventure.
We parked the car and took a walk down the crowded, lively strip. I remember being awed by all the amazing architecture and frills and thrills of the dazzling city. So many people from all over came here to party and play. When we stopped in front of the grand Bellagio, we were pleasantly surprised when the fountains started spraying high and put on a spectacular water show to the music of Hoedown!
It was a fantastic welcome to the city. And we had a blast! That great experience led to repeat visits to Las Vegas. And everytime we go, I make an effort to see the dancing Bellagio fountains to enjoy the music and the show.
Hoedown is a magnificent and grand masterpiece. It always makes feel inspired and giddy and puts me into an adventurous, festive mood. I am not a morning person. But if I need to wake up and start moving, this is the song that I play to wake me up and get fired up for the day.
I hope you enjoyed the Exhilarating collection. Let me know what you think or if you have any other songs you'd recommend. I love learning about new music and look forward to discovering new masterpieces and amazing songs. Music is the universal language. It speaks to us all. And I hope you like what music says. Cheers!
Related Links
The Sound of Music 1: The Classics - Ephemeral
The Sound of Music 2: The Classics - Ethereal
The Sound of Music: Classics - The Nutcracker
The Sound of Music: Holidays Classics Vol 1
The Sound of Music: Holidays Classics Vol 2
The Sound of Music 3: The Classics - Ebullient
The Sound of Music: Classics - Swan Lake
The Sound of Music: Classics - Requiem
The Sound of Music: Classics - Opera Part 1
The Sound of Music: Classics - Opera Part 2
The Sound of Music: Classics - Opera Part 3
Now this was a wonderful post and lots of my favorites. I always enjoyed the peppy classical classics.Felix Bartholdy Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 is probably my favorite. Hoedown always reminds me of a musical that should have a all chicken cast.
ReplyDeleteMaddie, I would love to see an all chicken cast musical! Or at least people in chicken costumes. If they can make a musical about singing, dancing cats, why not chickens?
DeleteIt's amazing to me how these old time composers came up with the music--all the instruments used and how they sound--all in their heads, then bringing them to life. That's incredible talent!
I think my junior high school trip to see Song of Norway kind of ruined any budding liking I may have developed for classical music. That was the most excruciatingly boring movie a fourteen year old could sit through!
ReplyDeleteI seem to need lyrics, like in Kismet (lousy movie terrific music). I have a great imagination, but, classical doesn't trigger (or Silver, if you will)it.
I need words or shorter instrumentals, stunted philistine that I am. Okay. End of true confessions. Thanks for sharing and I love your enthusiasm! K.F.C., the Musical, I'd go to see that one!
Deedles, Cartoons, like Looney Tunes, introduced me to classical music. It's good to like different music and know what you like and what you don't. I know I have a hard time with Zydeco.
DeleteI will pay good money to see a chicken musical!
Excellent selections, every one! I can never hear The William Tell Overture without thinking of The Lone Ranger!
ReplyDeletePS: You might also enjoy New World Symphony Op. 95 - Largo by Antonín Dvořák. The Apollo 11 astronauts took this with them to the Moon.
LX, The Lone Ranger theme song is iconic!
DeleteThank you for the music link! That is an amazing piece! I've been wondering what it is called for years now. I've heard it in a lot of movies, but I never knew the name. So thank you. This was a fantastic choice for the astronauts to the moon!
I usually leave the room if they play Copeland (they being the Classic FM selectors on the radio).Every damned Copeland piece sounded(to me) the same. But you're right-the Hoe-Down is a very dance-able piece. So is can-can! Once upon a time I could and did.Even the splits finish.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff. Will you be tackling any opera?
Dinahmow, Classical music is most fun when you can dance to it! You're awesome for doing the splits!
DeleteAs for opera, I updated the related links at the end of the post to show my fave opera songs. Most of the songs I'm familiar with from pop culture, but in learning the operas they were from, I am surprised at how tragic most operas are! Still would like to see one, though.
What a selection! My favourite is Offenbach's "Orpheus in the Underworld", which was used to great effect in the film Stardust (the fantastic fight between Captain Shakespeare's men and Septimus' men)!
ReplyDeleteIDV, That is a fun music piece and Stardust is a fantastic film. I much prefer the movie ending to the wistful book ending. The movie was much more satisfying.
DeleteI was at Maddie's and clicked the link. I thought she was kidding me about the Toys of Eros! It's our town's premier sex shop! I also am enjoying this blog, I'll have to come back.
ReplyDeletePearly Gates, I always have a good time at Maddie's! Ha! I bet it'd be fun to run such a shop! Thanks for the compliment!
DeleteBlimey! Even I am familiar with most of these!! My Dad would love them all - I listened to them a lot when I was growing up.
ReplyDeleteSx
P.S Are you on a break? I haven't seen you around.... no doubt we'll see you at Christmas :-)
Scarlet, It is amazing how much classical music we are familiar with. It's good music that always entertains and enriches our lives.
DeleteYes, just got back from vacation, and immediately got swamped with work, my boss begging me to come in early and asking me to work this weekend. I've got staff out sick. I will try to visit blogs when I can. I'm working six days in a row this week, starting early and closing late. Hello, coffee and hot pockets, my old friends.