Mellow classical music recommendations

Dostoevsky

I've been thinking about writing this post for many months now. It's not as sad as it sounds, I promise!

I'm looking for really mellow classical music along the lines of the following. I just discovered Saint-Saëns's 'The Swan' very recently and can't stop listening to it. I'm looking for more music as fresh, even if as little known as this. I'm getting married - I can't believe I said that; it hasn't sunk in yet - later this year so anything new and fresh that I can add to my life would be especially appreciated now (I'm charged with choosing the music).

Here's ten of my most favourite mellow classical music (in no particular order):

1. Camille Saint-Saëns, Le carnaval des animaux (Carnival of the Animals), zoological fantasy for 2 pianos & ensemble: The Swan

2. Erik Satie, Gymnopédie No. 1

3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Fantasia in d menor, Piano Concerto #21 In C, K 467, "Elvira Madigan" - 2. Andante

4. Sergei Rachmaninov, Vocalise in E Minor, Op. 34, No. 14

5. Antonio Vivaldi, Winter, (1st movement)

6. John Williams, Theme from Schindler's List

7. Pietro Mascagni, Intermezzo

8. Beethoven, Piano Sonata No 14 in C Sharp minor (Moonlight)

9. Beethoven, Piano Sonato No 8 in C minor(Pathétique)

10. Johann Pachelbel: Canon in D minor

Thanks in advance.

mambo

Grieg Piano Concerto 2nd Movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhinYKa2jZU

Schubert 8th Symphony "Unfinished" mvmt 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ySpn8E-dAE

Sanguine Fan

Dostoevsky wrote: »

I'm looking for really mellow classical music along the lines of the following. I just discovered Saint-Saëns's 'The Swan' very recently and can't stop listening to it. I'm looking for more music as fresh, even if as little known as this.

Here are ten of my mellow favourites:

1. Gluck - Dance of the Blessed Spirits
2. Copland - Rodeo (2. Corral Nocturne, Moderato)
3. Delius - Irmelin Prelude
4. Elgar - Sospiri, Op. 70
5. Debussy - Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune
6. Rodrigo - Concierto de Aranjuez (2. Adagio)
7. Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker, Op. 71 (5. Danse Arabe)
8. Brahms - Clarinet Quintet In B Minor, Op. 115 (2. Adagio)
9. Holst - The Planets, Op. 32 (2. Venus, The Bringer Of Peace)
10. Bach - Orchestral Suite No.3 in D/Air

Enjoy, and good luck with the wedding.

Kevster

Antonin Dvořák - New World Symphony, Largo

Edvard Grieg - Peer Gynt, Morning Mood

Frederic Chopin - Minute Waltz

Johann Sebastian Bach - Air On The G String
Johann Sebastian Bach - Goldberg Variations, Aria

John Williams - Jurassic Park, Main Theme

Léo Delibes - Flower Duet

Luigi Boccherini - Minuet

Iron Hide

Ludovico Einaudi-Primavera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmxFAT581T4

TheBandit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwGmHZ8XgeU

Dostoevsky

Excellent suggestions; thanks to everybody so far. Keep them coming.


PS: Pachelbel's Canon is apparently in D Major, not D Minor as I said.

Kevster

Dostoevsky wrote: »

Excellent suggestions; thanks to everybody so far. Keep them coming.


PS: Pachelbel's Canon is apparently in D Major, not D Minor as I said.

Indeed, it is in D Major. I listened to your own suggestions and was pleased to listen to them also.

Others I can suggest include:

- Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'version' of the Requiem Mass: Pie Jesu. I think that it's Sarah Brightman who performs it (Ref: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhOstwxcwWs)

- Stanley Myers - Cavatina

- Ludwig Van Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata

Bodhisopha

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

Sanguine Fan

This could be a good choice for a wedding ceremony. It was written by an English composer, Patrick Hawes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8QVe7d3q8U

Kevster

Sanguine Fan wrote: »

This could be a good choice for a wedding ceremony. It was written by an English composer, Patrick Hawes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8QVe7d3q8U

I have to admit that was very good. I clicked on the link and was then immedately distracted by something else. Minutes later, I realised that I was still listening to the song (and enjoying it!).

Kevin

tootyflutty

Red Storm wrote: »

Ludovico Einaudi-Primavera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmxFAT581T4

Also Le Onde by him, or anything by Einaudi really! Have rekindled my love of all his pieces

Fantasia90210

Are you having a singer or just instrumental music? You have a fab list although Schindler's (although beautiful) is a bit sad for a wedding which is a joyous occasion.

Dostoevsky

Some excellent suggestions above. Thanks. I hope people don't mind my bumping this up but as we're doing the music list at present, we'd welcome any additions. We've expanded it greatly since I wrote the op. I came across this ineffably beautiful music (Una Furtiva Lagrima) by Donizetti but I don't know if it's appropriate for a wedding (it doesn't sound like it) .

As we're also playing Ó Cearbhalláin it will perhaps be a bit of a trick to blend both traditions in so any ideas in this regard will be appreciated.

Dostoevsky

Fantasia90210 wrote: »

Are you having a singer or just instrumental music? You have a fab list although Schindler's (although beautiful) is a bit sad for a wedding which is a joyous occasion.

There'll be a string quartet, a flautist and a soprano. What sort of extra options could that give us in terms of music.

Fantasia90210

You'll have loads of choices. The pieces you have listed are lovely, but don't forget you're getting married - the music should be celebratory and upbeat. Your music should let the congregation know something big is happening. Marriage is a big step.

I wouldn't be including a Requiem as that is 'for the repose of the souls' unless you are remembering someone deceased in which case it could be used at the Offortory. And even at that, I would personally would choose Fauré Requiem as opposed to Lloyd Weber - but that's just me.

With a quartet, you should have Spring from Four Seasons - Vivaldi. Arrival of the Queen of Sheeba, Include an Ave Maria ... loads of choices out there.

Best of luck with it.:)

Gin Fizz

I like John Tavener. This is the song for Athene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMrxJfvSnn8

Acciaccatura

Meditation from Thais - Massenet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGd4Rs
Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana - Mascagni https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MqTvfXIzug
A slow version of Barcarolle by Offenbach is fairly mellow, it also make a nice waltz, with or without vocals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWC8v-evDyQ

HidePork

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDr9IMX_Aco