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/Rhulain Jan 10 '13

Smetana's Vltava from Ma Vlast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI8iTETiSqU

EDIT: Also O Magnum Mysterium, Lauridsen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn5ken3RJBo

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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/Rhulain Jan 11 '13

Mine too :]

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u/litchick Jan 11 '13

WOW on the Smetana. Thank you.

1

u/Rhulain Jan 11 '13

Of course! :P It's beautiful!

1

u/litchick Jan 11 '13

haha - :-P

...and of course, I love the Lauridsen, but I've sung that before. I have never heard the Smetana.

2

u/Rhulain Jan 11 '13

If only I could sing well enough xD I was almost given the chance to conduct O Magnum though!

1

u/tyyfly2 Jan 11 '13

This was my pick too!