One way I get introduced to classics I haven’t heard before is, surprisingly, through science-fiction movies. Specifically, there has been over the years a bit of use of the classics in the Star Trek movies and TV series. And whenever I hear a piece of music from a Star Trek episode or movie, I’d look it up and go for it.
Star Trek Voyager was especially memorable as there were several pieces I was introduced to. For example, Mahler’s Symphonies through one episode in Star Trek Voyager, where one powerful alien race liked playing Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 as background music while they subjected the space vessel to a search for contraband. The ever-singing hologram Doctor had several scenes throughout the seven year series where he’d break out in opera. That’s how I got acquainted to Verdi’s Rigoletto and especially the tenor aria “Questa O Quella”.
There’s also chamber music. In the movies with Picard’s Enterprise, several scenes involved string quartets. I’ve never quite had an interest in string quartet music before, but after watching a scene in Star Trek: Insurrection where the ship’s musicians play a segment of Haydn’s String Quartet in D, Op. 64 No. 5, I’m in love! Shopped for it right away on eMusic, and made the purchase.
More information on String Quartet music in the Star Trek movies and productions here. I’ll do a post on soundtrack and film music soon too.:)
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