Classical music for guys who don't like it

[amanfang]

I work in an office with two guys who don't get in to classical music.  They claim to need "pick me up" music in the afternoon, and begin blaring country music which I HATE.  Can y'all give me general Classical pieces that are fairly well known, faster, exciting, somewhat "loud"....  Ochestra is better, but piano may work too.  I as thinking William Tell OVerture, Ride of the Valkyries....  What else?

[faulty_damper]

Well-known pieces from who's perspective, yours or theirs?

Sorry, but 'classical' music just can't compete with mindless bashing of instruments in 'country'.

I really like Beethoven's Op.27-2, 3rd movment.  That's a great 'pick me up' movement.

Or how about the last section of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2?

[donjuan]

LISZT
Grand Galop Chromatique
Reminiscences de Robert le Diable

BALAKIREV
Islamey

RACHMANINOFF
Polka
Concerto N0.2
Concerto No.3

------------------------------
Once, I was in a car with my friend, who doesn't really like classical music.  I put on Berlioz's Symphony Fantastique, and told him the story of the piece (you know, Berlioz falling in love with Harriet, murder, executions...) After telling him the story, he was quite interested in the music and was listening intently.
so, maybe if you know some music with an interesting story behind it..This is why I love Opera, and Liszt's Opera Transcriptions.  A great Opera is Bellini's "I Puritani"
donjuan  

[ahmedito]

One of my best friends in high school was a heavy metal fan... we played together in a heavy metal band... I showed him Stravinskys Rite of Spring and hooked him on classical music....

[thomas_williams]

and begin blaring country music which I HATE.  

AMEN PREACH IT!!

As suggestions of classical music, how about things like: John Adams' "Short Ride in a Fast Machine"
The "Hoedown" from Copland's Rodeo
Bartok's Romanian Dances (I hope I'm thinking of the correct title)

These are just a few suggestions that first come to my mind.  And try those mentioned above as well.

[A.C.]

haha ...m...

i suggest:
Tchai's 1812
Bach's Toccata in D minor
all Mahler's Symphony

rofl

[donjuan]

Bach's Toccata in D minor

You might want to try Busonis transcription- easier to enjoy for the average person.
donjuan

[Spatula]

Mozarts "a little night music", that'll stir up the crowd for sure    hint hint

[monk]

I suggest Anton Webern, op.6, the 3rd piece.

Is over very fast so that those philistines finally can turn off their ears again and chatter bullshit all day  

[bizgirl]

Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue, etc.  It's not really classical, but you can get them used to the fact that music doesn't have ahem-dumb-ahem lyrics or any lyrics at all, and then gradually work your way back to more classical stuff.  Good luck!

[teenytitans]

Tchai's 1812 overture is not that bad, being the first composed song that cannons were used as part of the orchestra.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RIR9u8Bnr5c
^Its a little about William Overture, except no pianos, 3 ladies with violins and beats mixed in the background

You can also try Fur Elise, a very popular song because of the first part. The cool stuff happens at the middle when the notechart becomes different.

Try Mendelssons Wedding March (lolx)

FTW: The Entertainer


^{ps. srry about the grammar}

[pianochick93]

Because this isn't reviving an old thread or anything...

[teenytitans]

Because this isn't reviving an old thread or anything...

Oh sorry about that...........didn't notice the date...

[Petter]

Pretend you like their country music and say something nice about it.

[Petter]

Because this isn't reviving an old thread or anything...

Oh, well how did it go? Do you still hate country?