This album was bought after sifting through the discounted CD section of my local Tesco store. I am by no means a classical fanatic, and do not regularly listen to this music genre. However, upon browsing the track listings, I knew enough to recognise composers such as 'Beethoven', 'Bach' and 'Tchaikovsky'. At just £1.72, I therefore purchased my bargain thinking it would receive just the once over.
'Classical Greatest Hits' was originally released in 2003 on an import-only basis, and later re-released in May 2004 in white format. The album is a statement showing how many classical works are 'borrowed' by modern artists. It gives no less than 16 examples of this, providing over an hour of original compositions.
Album Art/Information…
The album cover pictures a conductor and the words 'Classical Greatest Hits' in a plain white inscription. Set on a dull red background, this album does itself no favours when sat on the shelf. It was more the '£1.72' large yellow sticker that brought this one home than anything suggested on the album cover.
Inside, there is a somewhat baffling explanation
about how the Russian conductor Dimitri Tiomkin likened his composition to an extract from Mozart. This leads on to explain how numerous examples of a 'good tune' are 'borrowed' and subsequently inspire pop hits. There follows a list of each classical piece featured on the album, the orchestra performing it, the conductor's name and the pop hit it inspired. One has to question the need to show how classical music inspires popular culture, and whether it would have been more appropriate to simply release the album for the classical masterpieces alone.
Before purchasing this compilation, I had a limited knowledge of classical music. Wagner's 'Ride of the Valkyries', for instance, was not a piece I could picture in my head. When listening for the first time, there was also the worry it would be some cheap imitation that justified its £1.72 price tag. However, Wagner's piece became immediately recognisable and set the tone for the rest of the album. Any film lover may recognise it from 'Apocalypse Now', 'Fantasia' or even 'Casper'. And it is because the listener recognises the music that makes this album such a worthwhile purchase. You do not have to enjoy classical music to gain pleasure from this compilation. All are recognisable in some shape or form and allow the listener to relate classical music to their own interests and experiences.
The Tracks - Further Examples…
Another example is Pachelbel's 'Canon in D', a slow, sombre and moving piece written for the violin. The untrained listener, like myself, may not have heard of Pachelbel, or realise it was the inspiration behind many hits such as Kylie Minogue's 'I should be so lucky' and Eagle Eye Cherry's 'Save tonight'. However, the piece is certainly well known when you realise it features in the background of films and documentaries such as 'Band Of Brothers', 'Ordinary People' and even adverts for Threshers and British Gas.
'Fanfare For The Common Man' is another piece worthy of interest, often played on Royal occasions, yet all too often both the composer (Copland) and its title remain unknown. Likewise, Holst's 'Jupiter' from 'The Planets Suite' was used in the film 'Gladiator', and Orf's 'O Fortuna' from 'Carmina Burana' can be heard in films such as 'Jackass: The Movie' and 'Excalibur'. It takes a while to remember where you have heard the music before, but nevertheless you actually enjoy what you are listening to. Some, such as Tchaikovsky's 'Overture 1812', are instantly recognisable as the French National Anthem 'La Marseillaise', whereas others, such as Bach's 'Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring' take a while longer (this features in many Holocaust references).
It would be easy to discuss where each classical track can be heard in everyday life. However, the beauty of this album is that it is left to the individual to reminisce where they have heard the music before. Additionally, 'Classical Greatest Hits' also does wonders to broaden your cultural knowledge and shows how everyone is indirectly exposed to classical music on a regular basis.
Album negativity…
Unfortunately, the whole idea behind this album was to show how great classical works inspire hundreds of pop hits centuries after they were composed. For instance, Beethoven's 'Symphony No. 5 "Fate" 1st Movement' is cited as inspiring the Beatles' 'Roll Over Beethoven' and Faure's 'Pavane' inspiration for S Club 7's 'Natural'. However, it is difficult to see how such works relate to modern pop (from Pachelbel to Kylie?!?) and I suggest ignoring this concept altogether.
Summary…
If you fancy broadening your cultural horizons with classical music, this album is a great place to start. Even if you cannot see pure genius within each composition, you are still guaranteed to enjoy the album simply because you recognise each track from everyday life. This is a must for classical fanatics and newcomers alike.
Kev
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I don't know if this would properly interest me or not ~ I prefer whole pieces to "extracts" and if this is just extracts I think it would either bore or frustrate me ~ I still am not quite sure what you actually HEAR on this album?! ~ .................................................................................................... ~ ♥ ~ jes ~ ♥♥
ben-lloyd 03.03.2006 18:53
Great review. I'll keep an eye out for this one at my local Tesco ;)
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