The most perfect single movement in music

[Ken B]

RVW's Symphony No. 5, the third movement: Romanza (Lento).

Ooooo. That one hadn't even occurred to me. But it is pretty damn perfect isn't it? (To offend Cato and Gordo.)

[vandermolen]

RVW's Symphony No. 5, the third movement: Romanza (Lento).

+ 1

[amw]

Ooooo. That one hadn't even occurred to me. But it is pretty damn perfect isn't it? (To offend Cato and Gordo.)

But is it the most perfect? Or just somewhat perfect?

(Also good choice, probably the most beautiful piece of music ever written for orchestra)

[Brahmsian]

RVW's Symphony No. 5, the third movement: Romanza (Lento).

+1 John!    That is a real beauty.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Lots of candidates. One standout to me is the second movement to Ravel's string quartet, Assez vif - Très rythmé.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Argh, this has to be one of the most difficult questions ever. If I say one now then some other day it's probably another one.

Can you count opera acts as "movements"? If you can, then my choise is clear: act 2 of Siegfried.

If not, probably "storm" movement from Pastoral symphony.

[EigenUser]

Lots of candidates. One standout to me is the second movement to Ravel's string quartet, Assez vif - Très rythmé.

That's a excellent one!

[Brian]

Second movement of Beethoven's Quartet Op. 95, to me, stands as a pretty perfect movement in every way. Partly because it's so concise, too.

There have been some good choices already mentioned.

[Karl Henning]

Yes;  a delightfully large set, really.

[Ken B]

Sondheim's "A Little Death". This is really a remarkable song if you know the larger play. Not only is it insanely beautiful, but it is so brief because that serves the drama and character. Such a plangent, revealing sorrow suddenly reled back in and put away again, where it will stay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKqw7VK9CYE

[NJ Joe]

My current favorite perfect single movement is the first movement of Brahms Symphony No. 1.  My God, it bowls me over!

[Holden]

Adagio assai from Ravel PC in G

[springrite]

Adagio assai from Ravel PC in G

+1

[EigenUser]

Anda playing Bartok's Piano Concerto No. 2, Movement 1 (conducted by Haitnik)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6yTQfZXjg8

YES!!!!!!!!!!

[not edward]

I'll offer the Benedictus from Beethoven's Missa solemnis.

[Florestan]

Schubert - Piano Sonata in B flat major D960, 1st movement, Molto moderato
Schubert - Symphony in C major D 944, 2nd movement, Andante con moto
Schubert - Die Sterne, Lied D 939
Chopin - Etude op. 10 no. 3
Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor op.13 "Pathetique", 2nd movement Adagio cantabile

[Karl Henning]

Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor op.13 "Pathetique", 2nd movement Adagio cantabile

In a kind of flashback, now and again (still), I relive the experience one summer of being overwhelmingly enchanted by this, as I (insufficiently, of course) would peck through it at the piano.

[Brian]

Schubert - Piano Sonata in B flat major D960, 1st movement, Molto moderato
Schubert - Symphony in C major D 944, 2nd movement, Andante con moto

Schubert - String Quintet in C, D956, first movement
Schubert - String Quintet in C, D956, second movement
Schubert - String Quintet in C, D956, third movement

[Brahmsian]

Schubert - String Quintet in C, D956, first movement
Schubert - String Quintet in C, D956, second movement
Schubert - String Quintet in C, D956, third movement

Agreed, Brian.  Particularly, for me, that 3rd movement.

[Florestan]

Schubert - String Quintet in C, D956, first movement
Schubert - String Quintet in C, D956, second movement
Schubert - String Quintet in C, D956, third movement

Agreed, Brian.  Particularly, for me, that 3rd movement.

Schubert rocks! Schubert's the man! Schubert rules! Schubert, Schubert ueber alles!