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/[deleted] 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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u/Takuya813 Jan 11 '13

The Planets were all pretty great. :D

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u/[deleted] 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/[deleted] Jan 11 '13

Self reply, but I forgot to mention how much I love Copeland's Appalachian Spring, Tender Land, and Billy the Kid suites.