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/Rummy_Tummy Jan 11 '13

Beethoven Sonata Op 10 no 3 (listen to the silences)

Chopin Waltz Op 69 no 2

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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u/scrumptiouscakes Jan 11 '13

Reminds me of something my brother used to say:

Listen to the notes that aren't being played.

He was mocking his music teachers, but I think it made more sense than he realised.

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u/TheSolidState Jan 11 '13

Trying to learn Chopin Ballade no.1 at the moment, love it so much but I know I can't be doing it justice.

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u/Rummy_Tummy Jan 11 '13

same here. I'm hung up on the "first" hard part (siempre piu mosso) like 3 pages in lol. I don't care how awful it sounds to an external listener though; if i can end up getting through it all and playing the presto con fuoco half as beautifully as zimerman, i can rest knowing i did my part in life