Classical Music Torture?

[Simula]

Okay, so if you were cast into a purgatory of suffering, where one piece of music was repeated back to back for ten thousands years, what do you think would be the most torturous piece of music?

Rules: it has to be a piece of classical music, nothing like Yanni or Kenny G., everything from past to present is on the table. 

[Wanderer]

-Modernist: 4′33″. Hit it!

-Gaoler: That's not music.

-Modernist: Nooooo!

[Monsieur Croche]

Okay, so if you were cast into a purgatory of suffering, where one piece of music was repeated back to back for ten thousands years, what do you think would be the most torturous piece of music?

Rules: it has to be a piece of classical music, nothing like Yanni or Kenny G., everything from past to present is on the table.

Not just one? No fair!

This thread has great promise to be a can very full of worms while it also manages to step on the toes of a lot of peoples personal taste. That said...

I assume this is not about those 'bad to egregious' second and third tier composers, or pieces in that camp, like Gabriel Pierné's Piano Concerto? I mean let's keep this all upper tier stuff!

The first thing that popped into my mind is J.S. Bach -- all Bach and nothing but Bach -- a sort of ultimate Teutonic Torture, for which a few other different candidates like Wagner or Bruckner could well fit the bill.

There are many many many worthy candidates, those completely determined by the whoever is doing the nominating.

[Simula]

The first thing that popped into my mind is J.S. Bach -- all Bach and nothing but Bach -- a sort of ultimate Teutonic Torture, for which a few other different candidates like Wagner or Bruckner could well fit the bill.

Bach was my initial thought as well. Good in moderation, becomes torture with repetition, but I suspect this is probably true of all music.

What about Lutoslawski's string quartet? 10,000 years worth! 

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

I can imagine eventually stabbing myself to the rhythms of Beethoven symphony no. 7 if that plays over and over forever.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

Even though that is my favourite Beetsy Symphony, I can understand.
Though I wouldn't be able to take any Beetsyman symphonies for too long at a time 

I think Mozart's Piano Sonata 16 (Or any really) could drive me to literal insanity 

Lol my favourite beethoven symphonies are 2 and 4 such a hipster

[Ken B]

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.

[Cato]

Any of the "scenic suites" by Ferde' Grofe', but especially the Mississippi Suite and the Hudson River Suite.

[Andante]

I am assuming that this means one recording of a work so to listen to only one musical work and nothing else would probably make me smash the playing device no matter who the composer and I would practice my whistling.

[Heck148]

Okay, so if you were cast into a purgatory of suffering, where one piece of music was repeated back to back for ten thousands years, what do you think would be the most torturous piece of music?

Rules: it has to be a piece of classical music, nothing like Yanni or Kenny G., everything from past to present is on the table.

"TacoBelle" Canon....hands down; and ears plugged...

[Mirror Image]

Anything from Stockhausen and I'd imagine most of the American Minimalist stuff would grate on my nerves after awhile even if I do like some of it. You can only take so much repetition. You can only take so much repetition. You can only take so much repetition...

[Andante]

OK I'm going to put this another way. Is there any single work that you could listen to for ever in that it would be the only music you could listen to. for me the answer would be no.

[listener]

REICH: Clap Music   (to original question)

[aligreto]

Okay, so if you were cast into a purgatory of suffering, where one piece of music was repeated back to back for ten thousands years, what do you think would be the most torturous piece of music?

Bolero

[NikF]

Bolero

Yeah, that would be my choice. In fact, if not for watching the Bejart/Sylvie Guillem dances I probably wouldn't have heard it for years.
And for the hell of it: the nightmare scenario is being stuck in a mirrored room with an endless loop of Bolero and discovering I have hair like Simon Rattle.

[Klaze]

I think this would be appropriate: Langgaard - Symphony No.11 "Ixion"

[Wanderer]

I think this would be appropriate: Langgaard - Symphony No.11 "Ixion"

Good one!

[(poco) Sforzando]

I can imagine eventually stabbing myself to the rhythms of Beethoven symphony no. 7 if that plays over and over forever.

Beecham wrote: "What can you do with it? It's like a lot of yaks jumping about."

If only one piece, I choose Strauss's Capriccio.

[aligreto]

Beecham wrote: "What can you do with it? It's like a lot of yaks jumping about."

Tommy was great with the quips 

[Brian]

O Fortuna, from Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana"

it's not even close.