Works where the music reaches a breaking point and collapses in on itself

[vandermolen]

I believe I was first made aware of this when I discovered Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony, with the climactic anthem collapsing into the desolate epilogue. It had to be the first time I listened to anything like that and I was really impressed, it definitely was one of the major turning points in my experience with classical music.

Oh yes, it's a great moment!

[kyjo]

Definitely Shchedrin's Symphony No.1 - it appears to be moving to a Grand Climax at the end but, instead, the music collapses in on itself in a kind of palindromic sequence, which I find very affecting.

This description could also be applied to the tragic and deeply moving ending of Malcolm Arnold's 5th Symphony!

[André]

No, towards the end of scene 3. The music is so crazy that someone in the audience can't handle it, he screams, yells, for it to stop (this is built into the score of course.) And then in the last scene, the last 40 minutes or so, the music takes on a different character, I would say a more stable character.

I think the ending, with its rapid-fire series of cymbal clashes - exhausting for player as well as listener, I guess - is a real breaking point. Has to be, actually. Reminds me of the dance marathon scenes in the film  They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

[vandermolen]

This description could also be applied to the tragic and deeply moving ending of Malcolm Arnold's 5th Symphony!

Yes, I agree - good point Kyle.