I think the classical is dieing because ins't more useful. I think too the Net can help the music to survive wen find the interested public.

Classical still lives today. So many songs have been taken from classical, The Flinstones theme was taken from a Bach song. Metallica�s "Call of Kthulu" can be heard in one of Bach�s lute suites. Diamond Head�s "Am I Evil" is actually the introduction from Holst�s "Planets." Listen to any of any one Van Halen�s solos and you can hear the similarity between him and any classical composer. I know there is more than that too. I know it's not classical but Metallica also ripped of a piece from "West Side Story" for "Don't Tread On Me". Techno artists are constantly taking samples for their songs from Classical music. So I would have to say it's alive and kicking. KED

Hello. I think classical music is the basis for any kind of modern music. I've been studying baroque music (1700), especially in Germany area about organ music, and whoever listens to this music should agree with me. I think Bach is the heart and the main point of the history of music: you can find in it nearly every "seed" for all musical kinds, from his era up to now. Please listen to some Praeludium and Fuge, or to the Brandenburg Concerts, and you'll realize immediately that this music is still alive and present in our modern traditions (the rythm and musical phrasing may have changed, but some "underpath" has survived).

Can you give us some specific examples? I'm interested in hearing more about this thesis.

Watch "Mr. Holland's Opus" and you'll get a classic example (pun realised but continued with anyway) "Love Concerto" by The Toys is actually based on Bach's "Minuet in G". THe chorus from "This Night" by Billy Joel is taken from a Beethoven piece. Bach is unrivalled by any composer since. He is truly the father of modern music.

Bach is great! As is Mozart and Beethoven............

Handel...

Classic music of India and tres cool: http://www.ancient-future.com/theka.html

You like Bach, Wolf? So do I! I adore his music!! Just bought a CD arranged for big orchestra by Stokowski. It's WONDERFUL - sweet and flowing, all the 'dryness' of a smaller orchestra just melts away. It's great. I love Mozart too, especially his piano sonatas, and some of Beethoven's works, like Eroica. Handel I don't listen to so much - can you recommend, Stacey?

When I listen to Handel he always just tells me your name, Riette, and doesn't go into it. I keep saying, "Handel, give it up, dude, open your eyes, MAN! What is one to do with you, brotha? How 'bout if we start by me introducing you to Homer Simpson? Would you like that? Good. Homer this is Handel. Handel, Homer. Oh, you know them, Homer? The cardigans? May I, then? Thanks. Handel these are the Cardigans. Cardigans, Handel."

Cardigans, this is Jim Gross - don't worry, he always talks a bit strangely. But you'll get used to him, he's actually quite sweet. Why don't you ask him what other classical/non-classical music he likes?

Bach is something I just heard about for the first time tonight. I'm gonna have to find out what that band sounds like tomorrow. Does Bach have like 4 people in it, or 5, or is it more like one a those big ol' symphony bands? I tell ya, symphony bands are pretty cool, cuz i like the bass viol instrumentalists.....even if they keep havin' me barred from their basketball games, I'll never stop galloping after their concerts and gigs.

ha-ha, very funny. Tell me, Jim, do you ever say anything that makes remote sense, or are you really in another world? I mean, I'm beginning to wonder whether, if you say you talk to Beethoven, you ACTUALLY do. You know . . . things just come out so wild and twisted with you. I mean, basketball games . . . BACH?!?!? What sick part of your brain formed that connection?!?! Enlighten me!

I'm just goofy. And warm. See, I just warm up to you and... well it doesn't have to do with any part of my brain. Didn't even know I had one, actually. Me and Beethoven sleep together most weekends, if you're wondering how, or, I mean, WHY we talk so much. You do know he reads lips, right? Well sometimes he kisses them. Mine? Not yet. He laughed at me tonight when I discovered your real last name. He knew it all the time and was holding back. He's over here for probably just 5 more minutes. Usually I go to his place. Are you having a good night, tonight? Handel sayin' anything to ya, or is he bein' a silly sulker? You two are a pair. Well, it can only get better is all I can say. Buhbye 4 now.

And what does that mean - we're friends again? 'Cos the last time I spoke to Ludwig he told me you were pretty darned mad at me . . .

Lud wigs out on occasion gotta take what he says with a grain of salt sure it wasn't Handel? Lud tells me Handel's real into ventriloquism lately throwin' other people's voices all over the place probably threw Lud's at ya that time Lud tells me Handel's trying out for lead vocals with the Spice Girls could you ask him for me if that's really true?

But I never talk to Handel - I don't even know him! And I'm not the kind of girl who chats guys up, so don't expect it of me either! So, anyway, as you can see, it can't have been him I was talking too. Well, I'm glad you're not mad anymore . . . that's and apology, I think. But you know William (Walton) said he'd perhaps go for lead with the Spice Girls - I talked (tackled?!) with him just a few hours ago. He's not quite sure yet though - I think he's a little afraid of them. Probably afraid of irreversable willy erecto syndrome! Don't think they'll take Handel though; his very name makes labels him somewhere between pervert and control freak - which means he'll probably steal the show, and that they would not neccessarily want. Hell, why don't YOU just try out? I mean, with your being 'dysfunctional' and all, and you can't possibly have moves worse than theirs, so you'll fit right in, and have alot of boobs and thighs to admire at the same time. Perfect deal!

This weekend I heard Vaughan Williams' 'Serenade to Music' for the first time. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard. What a wonderful composer he is.

Beethoven's piano sonata number 14 in c# minor. commonly known as the "Moonlight Sonata". incredible. the third movement has brought me to tears with it's pure passion.

Oh, how right you are. Some people think it kitch, I think it's fantastic. Have you heard is 'Eroica'? I heard a recording with Otto Klemperer conducting. It's unbelieveable.

You know the friend who is supposed to know where to find the champaigne truffles? She is Otto Klemperer's daughter, Lotte. She is now in her mid seventies, but a beautiful, beautiful lady, and incredibly young at heart. And despite the fact that her father is regarded as one of the greatest conductors of this century, she is as normal as anyone - except that she gives people champaigne truffles after they've given birth, and are supposed to be breastfeeding!!! Her brother, Werner, became quite a famo s actor in America.

(klink)

klink? What's that?

Hey, Nick, are you into art? Would you like to come to the arts conference? It has a gallery now where you can share your art if you want.

into art a little... but my tastes are pretty, ummm... obvious, i guess... col. klink was klemperer's role on "hogan's heroes"...

Oh, right! I never saw any of his programmes - Lotte just told me he made it as an actor in New York. As far as your 'obvious tastes' in art are concerned - I really cannot imagine what kind of things you like. The old masters? That I almost can't imagine. I mean you're a Texan Poet - how am I to tell? At least come at tell us who your favourite artists are. I could post some of their work, and we can discuss it. If you want, that is. If you don't, then that's that, and that's okay too.

my bet would be that he likes William Blake and traditional Celtic art with a possible taste for fantasy, especially Sanjulian, Keith Parkinson, and Frank Frazetta...

hmm . . . Or perhaps he's a Degas man? Big mystery.