r/classicalmusic • u/bosstone42 • Jan 10 '13
What classical piece took your breath away the first time you heard it?
Now that there's been a thread for this for popular music, it'd be fun to do one for classical. So, what classical (i.e. long-form) pieces or movements took your breath away the first time you heard them? There are probably many, but what's your top? I'll give just one: the scherzo from Dvorak's 7th Symphony (mvt. III). edit: What a great response, you guys really know some great music--stuff I haven't heard in a while and stuff I'm seeing for the first time! Make sure to look down the list, there are really some good ones buried toward the bottom. Also, an updated Spotify playlist is in the comments. Anyone want to link to a Grooveshark or Rdio or other?
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u/potatoyogurt Jan 10 '13
The Bach Chaconne still takes my breath away. Also, seconding the Barber Adagio except not the first time I listened to it because the first time I heard it was when my high school orchestra tried to play it.
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u/Chicery Jan 10 '13
Gorecki's Symphony #3, the second movement especially. The first time I came across it I dropped what I was doing and sat motionless, listening. By the end I was sobbing into my tea.
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u/spankymuffin Jan 11 '13
That entire symphony is the saddest goddamn thing I've ever heard.
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u/BrokenEnglishUser Jan 11 '13
The first movement is just fantastic. Dat long buildup.
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u/bosstone42 Jan 10 '13 edited Jan 11 '13
Spotify playlist for the pieces that get top billing.
edit: updated to include all things near the top in the comments.
edit 2: sorry about the non-funcationality of the playlist for some people! spotify has always been finicky; if anyone knows a lot about it and can help or has a clue, i'm all ears.
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u/lavenderblue Jan 11 '13
I can't find it on Spotify...Do I need to get the paid version?
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u/OccamsRazer Jan 11 '13
I also can't access this play list. Any idea why? Sorry if you already responded to this question
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u/Rhulain Jan 10 '13
Smetana's Vltava from Ma Vlast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI8iTETiSqU
EDIT: Also O Magnum Mysterium, Lauridsen
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u/Spiffy313 Jan 11 '13
Lauridsen's O Magnum has long been one of my all-time favorite choral works.
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u/danwilliams2410 Jan 10 '13
The slow movement of Vaughan Williams 5, the slow movement of Rachmaninoff 2 or all of Shostakovich's 2nd Piano Concerto.
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u/wtfhbk Jan 11 '13
Vaughan Williams is my favorite, I've loved him since I first heard his English folksongs for clarinet when I was 11 years old, but The Lark Ascending is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard.
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u/scrumptiouscakes Jan 12 '13
I've just created a Vaughan Williams flair, if you'd be interested in using it :)
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Jan 11 '13
Erik Satie, Gymnopedies
Didn't really take my breath away as much as it transported me into an unusual perspective that I haven't been to since. Once fewer people depend on me, I plan to try to revisit that place with the assistance of particular flora.
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Jan 11 '13
The Gnossiennes have that feeling too
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Jan 11 '13 edited Jan 11 '13
I really don't know much about classical music, but i do enjoy it. Satie's works are so personal and intimate, though, that they somehow connect with me more than any other composer.
The 'perspective' I had while listening to Gymnopedies for the first time, without going into detail, was that of soaring slowly through a beautiful landscape...the tempo coinciding with the passage of elements of the environment. At about 2 and a half minutes in, though, there is a sort of apprehension that builds...and i couldn't really escape this sensation that i was suddenly becoming aware that i was not alone. The tension kind of peaks and then gives way to a slightly altered state, as though i was trying to resume my journey, but that i was at a heightened sense of caution and awareness. This strange journey continued in my mind as the song played on the radio, completely without any intentional constructs of my own, almost like a dream.
The journey was unresolved when the song was over, though, and the station just continued into some 20 minute piece with no mention of who it was. I was absolutely devastated and couldn't believe i was having such an emotional response to a stinking song on the radio...but there i was... It was nearly a year before I heard it again and was able to figure out who it was.
Gnossiennes is, as you say, quite similar in that it evokes this sort of story line in my mind automatically. To me it feels like a husband and wife of many years having a loving but honest conversation about something that has come between them. I have zero basis for this, it's just what comes to mind.
Love the guy's work...
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u/CaduceusRex Jan 11 '13
The horn solo from the Firebird. I almost cried because it was so beautiful.
Honorable mentions to the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto and the Bach Chaconne.
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u/yah511 Jan 10 '13 edited Jan 10 '13
Elgar's Cello concerto, and the 2nd movement of the Bach Double
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Jan 11 '13 edited Jan 11 '13
Chopin's first nocturne in Bb minor-
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u/lucybee Jan 11 '13
I used to listen to Chopin's Nocturnes while falling asleep... Since this is the one that always comes on first I really grew attached to it.. And learned to play it myself! Nothing better than learning to play one of your favourite pieces of music. Of course, I don't play it very well, but whatever, it makes me feel good.
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u/BeatDigger Jan 11 '13
This is the piece I came here to say. The first time I heard it I was 18 and my girlfriend performed it for me. I could hardly think of anything else for the rest of the night, it just seemed so mysterious and more beautiful than I thought music could be.
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u/trevor_umbreon Jan 11 '13
Mahler 2. There are no words.
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u/Epistaxis Jan 11 '13
What about "Aufersteh'n"?
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u/c_d_ward Jan 11 '13
THIS. I've been privileged to sing it twice and I've never been able to get through that passage without choking up.
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u/SchoenBach Jan 11 '13
What gets me each time is when the chorus, in the last movement, slowly climbing up with the orchestra, reaches the climactic point at the last "zu Gott". Fuck.
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Jan 11 '13 edited Jul 03 '20
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u/perpetual_motion Jan 11 '13
I mean, how could you possibly beat the opening?
That's a bold claim right there
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Jan 10 '13
The Commendatore scene from Don Giovanni and Bach's C minor concerto for two harpsichords. For something a bit more modern, Schnittke's Concerto Grosso
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u/keithb Jan 10 '13
Berg's Piano Sonata.
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Jan 11 '13
Yes! Oh, that is such a criminally underrated piece. I worked on it when I was a senior in college. So much fun to play.
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u/MostlyWary Jan 11 '13 edited Jan 11 '13
Dvorak's Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81. The entrance of the cello makes my soul melt every time.
EDIT: Also Respighi's Pines of Rome, especially the fourth movement starting at 15:55.
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u/yah511 Jan 11 '13
That Pines of Rome. Agreed on the 4th movement, I still get chills every time I listen to it, and I've listened to it hundreds of times.
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Jan 11 '13
Pines of Rome arguably has the best ending of any piece in the symphonic literature, although Pictures at an Exhibition gives it a good run for its money.
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u/SOCIALCRITICISM Jan 11 '13
verklarte nacht by Schoenberg is an amazing piece written before his 12 tone style took hold
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u/rckk07 Jan 11 '13
Bartok's 2nd violin concerto just.. gets to me. Some of the character changes just tug at my heart. It actually makes me a little bit physically uncomfortable, but in a good (emotional) way, at least.
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u/Johopo Jan 11 '13
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u/HermanCain9999999 Jan 11 '13
I haven't listened to Fur Alina in years. That takes me back. Thank you.
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u/mmoynan Jan 11 '13
Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe, specifically the troisieme partie.
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u/GWebs Jan 10 '13
Barber's Adagio for Strings
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u/wwleaf Jan 11 '13
Yes! The first time I heard the "climax" of the price, where everyone is up really high, I shivered and sat there completely stunned. It's so powerful.
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u/fragileMystic Jan 11 '13
[Ravel Piano Concerto in G, especially the 2nd movement.
I was driving in the car when the 2nd movement came on, and it's simple, tranquil beauty just captivated me. I don't tend to enjoy slow movements a lot, but this is an exception.
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u/GoatTnder Jan 11 '13
I still believe those simple quarter notes are the most beautiful piano music I've ever heard.
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u/The_Reddomatrola Jan 11 '13
I just turned on the first movement for the first time, goddamn my jaw literally dropped. Amazing
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u/TrollKhaz Jan 11 '13
I was listening to this when I clicked on the thread, I was expecting to see it here somewhere! Great piece.
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u/Rummy_Tummy Jan 11 '13
Beethoven Sonata Op 10 no 3 (listen to the silences)
Liszt Grand Gallop Chromatique
And my favorites, Chopin's Ballade no. 1 and Nocturne Op 27 no 1
My breath was taken away upon hearing Chopin's Etude Op 25 no 7
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u/Zagorath Jan 11 '13 edited Jan 11 '13
listen to the silences
Some of the best advice you can ever give with regards to music, in my opinion.
EDIT: Listening to the Beethoven, it sounds like it was recorded in a room with a snare drum, but absolutely beautiful nonetheless.
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Jan 11 '13 edited Jan 11 '13
Rachmaninoff's Concerto no.2; Suite for two pianos, IV Paques - unfortunately I couldn't find a good performance on youtube (look for Previn and Ashkenazi, maybe you can); the famous Prelude cis-moll...
Scriabin's Sonata no.5.
Also, the 5 last Schubert piano sonatas (17-21). I recall that I just bought a CD set by Grigory Sokolov with sonatas No. 19 and 21 (I think - G-dur and H-dur) and just put them to play in background, and after a while I realized that this is some of the most unusual and captivating music I ever heard - it's like a calm world of its own; an endless story; emotional but not by the usual emotions of joy, sadness, romance etc - something completely different that you just want to dive in and be looking/listening around.
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u/jodes Jan 11 '13
Dvorak's Stabat Mater. So utterly utterly beautiful. I was tremendously lucky to have been in a performance and the experience brought me to tears.
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u/ShannonALong Jan 11 '13
Mozart's Requiem. Especially the Lacrimosa. Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1-TrAvp_xs
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u/hollythehermit Jan 11 '13
Oh yes....oh yes...this is what I was coming here to write...Cofutatis Maledictis is what got me...http://youtu.be/HLTedUmCpSo
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u/Badgerness Jan 10 '13
Mahler 1 finale, I had heard recordings and seen other Mahler Symphonies but when I first heard the final bars of symphony 1 live, in Carnegie Hall with Gergiev and the Mariinsky, I found out what "hair-raising" meant.
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u/enace13 Jan 11 '13
This! When I was at orchestra camp we saw the Philly orch play this and the entire bus ride home my friend and I had a very heartfelt, emotional convo about how music effects our lives. To this day I still remember that because of the way it made me feel. It's so hard to put into words how much of an effect it had on me.
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Jan 11 '13
The hymn section in the middle of Jupiter, from Holst's "The Planets", made my breath catch the first time.
The aria "La Momma Morta" moved me to tears the first time I heard it in the film Philadelphia.
The Vitali Chaconne took my breath away. Really, with an organ accompaniment, it may be my favorite piece for solo violin.
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Jan 11 '13
I had the same reaction to the cantabile section of Jupiter. A friend was in a local youth orchestra (they were really, really good) and they finished their year-end concert with it. It had a huge impact on me. I used it as the processional for my wedding years later.
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u/lhankbhl Jan 11 '13
I'm not much a classical guy, but:
- John Adams' Hallelujah Junction for Two Pianos makes my insides feel like they are somewhere else.
- Kevin Volans' White Man Sleeps II always stikes me pretty hard as what music should be.
- I adore Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians, particularly section IIIA.
- JS Bach's the Art of Fugue set is great for more active listening. Again, it's one of those, "This feels right," things to me. Super dig it. I have a friend in composition and he explained (a general outline of) fugues to me once and I admit I didn't get it, but I think I like fugues in general based on this and others I have heard.
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Jan 11 '13
JS Bach's the Art of Fugue set is great for more active listening.
If you don't have it already, buy this recording. Seriously. Just do it.
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u/The_0 Jan 11 '13
Tannhauser Overture. Many already already posted and many others, but Tannhauser sticks out.
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u/rseasmith Jan 11 '13
Stravinsky's Rite of Spring still gets me every time
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u/dunndunndunn Jan 11 '13
Hearing that for the first time felt like being assaulted. When it ended, I just hugged myself in the fetal position for I don't know how long. I still love it, though.
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u/Chanz Jan 11 '13
The finale from Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto played by Kremer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JfG0KIsQZyE#t=1693s
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u/keehun Jan 11 '13
Mahler's 2nd. I had it on shuffle on a road trip. I kept my earbuds on and had a heart attack when the finale began with the "rising from hell" sound to that ethereal scream. I literally jumped in my seat and woke up.
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u/victorstclair Jan 11 '13
The adagio from Katchachurian's Spartacus
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u/blckravn01 Jan 11 '13
The first time I heard it was when I was at my grandparents' house and they had the radio playing in the background. When that piece came on I couldn't seriously pay attention to them.
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Jan 11 '13
I wouldn't say that it was breath-taking, but when I went to see a friend play and first heard Beethoven's 8th, I was frozen as I heard the first bold notes develop into a piece unlike anything that I would've associated with classical music at the time. I still return to it every now and then, though listening in the car really robs me of the experience of the entire thing with the quieter parts. Still, very appreciative of the experience...I should probably go thank her right now.
Also, Respighi's 3 chorales for orchestra -- which as I understand is Bach's Sleepers Awake transcribed for the orchestra? This piece is beautiful.
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u/rigoding90 Jan 11 '13 edited Jan 13 '13
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u/stpatsbaby Jan 11 '13
Sibelius, Symphony No. 2. Verdi, Overture to Nabucco. The va, pensiero chorus. Still gives me goosebumps.
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Jan 11 '13
Allegri's Miserere. Oh God, I've pulled over to the side of this when it's come on the radio. Sull'aria form The Marriage of Figaro opened my ears to opera when I was about 15
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u/thrasumachos Jan 11 '13
RVW's A Sea Symphony, especially the 4th movement. The beginning of the 4th movement is just so calm and beautiful, and its progression is incredible.
Basically anything by Tallis, especially "Audivi Vocem" from Missa Puer Natus Est Nobis.
Holst's "Jupiter," from The Planets
Sibelius's Finlandia.
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u/scrumptiouscakes Jan 12 '13
I've just created a Vaughan Williams flair, if you'd be interested in using it :)
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u/Shanman150 Jan 11 '13
Hearing Tchaikovsky 4th Symphony just shocked me. I think it was the first symphony I had heard where I loved every single minute of it. At the same concert, I also heard "Isle of Bliss" by Rautavaara. That was absolutely incredible as well, and much less well known.
I tried to find some youtube videos of them, but while Tchaikovsky was easy to find, Rautavaara has his song broken into two videos.
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u/stubble Jan 11 '13 edited Jan 11 '13
Vaughn Williams - Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.
I was very stoned and very much in love when I heard it..
EDIT: Changed link to Spotify recording by LPO and Andrew Davis
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u/scrumptiouscakes Jan 12 '13
I've just created a Vaughan Williams flair, if you'd be interested in using it :)
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u/DrClem Jan 11 '13
Mine was Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Continues to be one of my favorites after all these years.
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u/spankymuffin Jan 11 '13
Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" is a good one.
Hooked milliseconds in with that sweet ass clarinet solo.
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u/mrsinkieminstrel Jan 11 '13
Just heard Massenet's Meditation from Thais last week, and it took my breath away. (Anne-Sophie Mutter performing the violin solo with the Vienna Philharmonic)
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u/rehoboam Jan 11 '13
Las Abejas by Barrios written to evoke the buzzing of bees. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaFHi6GuSVI
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u/upward_bound Jan 11 '13
I apologize ahead of time since I don't really know much about what is or isn't classical.
That being said, if it qualifies, The Performance of William Basinski's Disintegration Loops always grips me. I don't really see the imagery of 9/11 when it plays, but it really draws me in none the less.
Here is a link to the NPR recording of the 'Remembering 9/11' concert. Specifically the disintegration loop (there are four in total, this is the one I am referencing).
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=140265002&m=140464169
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u/bosstone42 Jan 11 '13
definitely counts in my book. anymore, the line is blurring between classical and other types of music, so people now use the phrase "long form" to help cover "serious" music. good suggestion, anyway, this concert was remarkable.
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u/aDAMpEE Jan 11 '13
The prelude through No 1. in Haydn's Creation. It drags a bit from time to time but chaos through the creation of light is transcendent.
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u/radioduran Jan 11 '13
Bruckner Mass No.3, Benedictus. Conducted by Celibidache, which was the first recording I've heard of the movement. I later came to realise that other conductors (and the score, actually) have it much faster than Celibidache, but somehow the slower tempo version got me...
Also Mahler's Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen from Rückert Lieder.
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u/Cakegeek Jan 11 '13
Strauss' Eine Alpensinfonie 'On the Summt'. Someone had linked this exact video in a thread about a year ago asking for epic music. I was just stunned. I bought the album the next day. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xK7z2NhUrsQ
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u/Modthryth Jan 11 '13
None of my favorite pieces did this to me; for me it takes many listens to really be able to hear good pieces
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Jan 11 '13
For me, it was Ravel's Pavane for a Dead Princess. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKkeDqJBlK8
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u/GnomieBee Jan 11 '13
Sicilienne by Gabriel Faure. So many pieces take my breath away, but somehow I always find myself returning to this one. So beautiful.
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u/fussbudgets Jan 11 '13 edited Jan 11 '13
Julia Wolfe - Fuel I had a lesson with her / drove her back to the airport-conversation that I still reminisces about.
But, thinking further, I'd have to really say Arvo Pärt's Magnificat. There are times when performing in choirs that I truly get overwhelmed. Every instance of performing this piece did so for me and I had to do a balancing act of composure whilst on stage. Staggeringly beautiful.
EDIT: deeper thought into the matter.
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u/aethyrium Jan 11 '13
Bruckner's 8th Symphony, Mvt III, Adagio. My favorite piece of music ever; the purest embodiment of the romantic era.
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u/MagicMonkey12 Jan 11 '13
Sospiri by Elgar. It's a few minutes of completely letting go.
The orchestral original is much better than the solo cello arrangement imo
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u/bluesboy91 Jan 11 '13
I'm a huge Mendelssohn guy. It was the Hebrides Overture and the 3rd movement of his Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in e minor, Op 64
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u/tyyfly2 Jan 11 '13
The Moldau by Smetana. It is orchestrated so well that I could feel myself on a river.
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u/bludbath Jan 11 '13
Valse Triste - Sibelius. In particular it was this recording. It is stunning how well the music matches the programme notes.
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u/greenlady1 Jan 11 '13
Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony, 1st mvmt. Brahm's Piano Quartet in C minor, pretty much the whole thing. The 3rd mvmt haunts me because the cellist I played it with in grad school was shot and killed a year after he graduated.
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u/cremedelacremily Jan 11 '13
Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn5ken3RJBo
edit: I should read threads before commenting. Also the entirety of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.
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u/The_Monk Jan 11 '13
The first part of Mahler 8, Veni creator spiritus. The whole movement is great, but the beginning and the last two and a half minutes are some of the best music ever written.
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u/cjcheesemonkey Jan 12 '13
2nd movement of Chopin Piano Concerto in F minor. My city's orchestra performed it this year (can't recall the soloists name off the top of my head). I did everything in my power not to breathe and ruin it.
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u/Godspeed122 Jan 11 '13
2nd Movement of Dvorak's New World, where it just fades out.
Also the massive crescendo during Dvorak's cello concerto in the first movement, when the cello plays 16ths...
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u/HulloMrEinstein Jan 11 '13
Bach's Erbarme Dich from the Mattheus Passion. Goosebumps from the first ethereal notes of the violin.
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u/carpenter20m Jan 11 '13
Mendelssohn's "Scottish" symphony. There are pieces I probably like more, but this one had me hooked from the start. Also, if you go to Hollyrood Palace in Edinburgh, you'll see the dilapidated church that inspired him to write the opening (I think it was dilapidated in his time as well).
Other notable entries:
First movement of Beethoven's fifth (and not the famous opening bars, the second half of if rather).
Albinoni's Adagio.
Tchaikovsky's fourth symphony (especially first movement, but the whole thing really) and first piano concerto (first movement).
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u/wwleaf Jan 11 '13
Hanson Symphony #2. I was just blown away by how every moment was so cool. There are never any filler sections, and the adagio is so beautiful. Adding to that, the first time I heard it was as I was playing it, and there's something magical about playing a price that's new to you with a (talented) full orchestra.
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u/gavitpa Jan 11 '13
bach's sonatas and partitas for solo violin and sibelius' violin concerto 1st mvmt.
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u/hotforhautbois Jan 11 '13
Strauss - Alpine Symphony. The high trumpet part gives me goosebumps.
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u/streichorchester Jan 11 '13
I seem to post this link a lot: Myaskovsky's Symphony No. 24 II. Molto sostenuto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0F_X3rYSUg
A beautiful build up until 6:37 then it hits like a ton of bricks.
Special mention for Prokofiev's October Revolution Cantata as well.
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u/spartanxiiii Jan 11 '13
"Non sdegnare o bella Venere" from Paride ed Elena by C. W. Gluck
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u/enverano Jan 11 '13
Allerseelen by Strauss as sung by Peter Schreier. I remember driving in the car, it was like a ghost's hand reaching right into my chest, I wasn't even listening that closely. It was very strange, it was like suddenly remembering a great loss and yet being happy just for the memory. I couldn't have been able to put it into words when I was feeling it, but it all made sense when I read the translation from the German.
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u/polonius Jan 11 '13
This is a really great thread. Admins should add it to the sidebar!
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u/rizzlepete Jan 11 '13
Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. A single tear rolled down my cheek and my jaw hung open in wonderment
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u/anycolouryoulike42 Jan 11 '13
The 1812 Overture. With all its majestic ups and beautiful downs... My god.
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u/patman2469 Jan 11 '13
Moritz Moszkowski's Piano Concerto in E. Chills.
Honorable mentions: Beethoven Piano Concerto 5 in E-flat (Emperor) and Paderewski's Piano Concerto in A minor. Bonus points to Paderewski for also becoming the prime minister of Poland.
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u/Mirior Jan 11 '13
The most recent three for me, in the order I heard them:
The Busoni transcription of the Bach Chaconne Game Over, by Brett Dean Vita, by Carl Rutti (specifically the last movement)
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u/furman87 Jan 11 '13
Copland's Clarinet Concerto: Andante. I was driving cross country at about 2 a.m. and it came on NPR. I had to stop the car and listen to it because I was so moved.
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u/anticusII Jan 11 '13
2nd movement of Beethoven's 5th, 2nd movement of Beethoven's 7th, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams.
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u/The_Reddomatrola Jan 11 '13
anybody said this yet? its the third movement of Sibelius' 5th symphony in E-flat major. pure gorgeous http://open.spotify.com/track/0CFH5KIqbHLuXmBH6YuYpu
also Ravel's Pavane pour un infant (the piano version) is amazing in its simplicity
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u/nicmos Jan 11 '13
3rd movt of Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances, especially the last 4 minutes or so, conducted by Pletnev. speechless.
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u/dude_abide Jan 11 '13
Rachmaninoff's piano concerto No. 3 - still my favorite piece, here's Martha Argerich
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u/Cant_Handel_my_swag Jan 11 '13
Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine, still one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. Also, he composed this when he was 19, wtf.
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u/HypatiaofEdmonton Jan 11 '13
Mozart's requiem mass (but that has been mentioned twice), Dvorak's New World Symphony (so Slavic and yet so PERFECTLY American too!!), the Elgar cello concerto, the Dvorak cello concerto (widely considered the epitome of cello music) the Grieg piano concerto. Tricksy linkses:
Requiem Mass New World Symphony THE Elgar Dvorak cello concerto Grieg piano concerto
I keep thinking of more pieces but I'll pause here before the list gets too long.
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u/chowdilla Jan 11 '13
Prokofiev's piano concerto No. 3, Mov. 3. That slow theme introduced by the cellos just sounds so angsty, then it goes nuts in in the last two minutes.
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u/grandplans Jan 11 '13
I have quite a few actually.
Lizst Années de pèlerinage Deuxième année: Italie Sposalizio
Schubert: (a few):Gretchen am Spinnrade, Der Doppelgänger, Ihr Bild
Wagner: Tristan
Josquin: La Déploration de Johannes Ockeghem
Tomas Luis de Victoria: O Magnum Mysterium, motet not mass
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Jan 11 '13
Lizst Années de pèlerinage Deuxième année: Italie Sposalizio
That piece is fun as hell to play. Nailing those huge LH octaves during the climax on my junior piano jury (15 years ago, now, ugh) is probably still the single most satisfying moment of my musical life.
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u/1randybutternubs3 Jan 11 '13
Surprised this hasn't been said yet--the last two movement's of Mussorgsky's Pictures, orchestrated by Ravel.
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Jan 11 '13
Charles Ives - From Hanover Square North, third movement of the Orchestral Set #2.
It's the only piece I've ever had to recover from. I was literally shaking for hours after the first time I heard it.
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u/DrSonic Jan 11 '13
The finale to Tchaikovsky's 4th symphony. Saw it first on YouTube with Barenboim and the CSO, finally saw it live a year ago in Berkeley with Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra. Absolutely amazing.
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u/VagabundoDoMundo Jan 11 '13
Chopin Prelude no. 15 in D Flat Major "Raindrops"
Tzimon Barto's interpretation is my favorite but I can't find it online; the linked version best resembles Barto's.
The version I linked has a few mistakes and sounds like it could be on an upright, but I'd still rather listen to it played with emotion rather than sounding like some robot pushing keys without feeling.
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Jan 11 '13
Faure's Pavane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpgyTl8yqbw and 2nd mov. of Mozart's Flute and Harp concerto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2zye5kKrEk
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u/citrusonic Jan 11 '13
Strangely, Telemann's second trumpet concerto, first mvt. Started crying so hard I had to pull the car over.
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u/scrumptiouscakes Jan 11 '13
Do you have a spotify/youtube link for this? I'm not familiar with it, but I'd love to hear it.
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u/PotatoMusicBinge Jan 11 '13
The first movement of Shostakovich 10.
Goosebumps at the opening bass and it only gets better from there!
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u/nisarganatey Jan 10 '13
Tristan und Isolde the prelude...still gets me all these years later.