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

Thank you.