Which works excite you from their opening notes?

[Sergeant Rock]

+1 for Korngold - especially in Previn's DGG recording - nice choice Sarge.

Yes, I love Pevin's performance. My favorite.

Sarge

[Big David]

Beethoven Symphonies 3 and 5 and Moonlight sonata
Elgar cello concerto and Nimrod
Sibelius violin concerto and symphony no.2
Wagner's Die Walkure
Mozart Nozze di Figaro
Mahler 4th symphony
Tippett Triple concerto
Tchaikovsky 4th symphony

and probably a lot more!

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Beethoven Symphonies 3 and 5 and Moonlight sonata
Elgar cello concerto and Nimrod
Sibelius violin concerto and symphony no.2
Wagner's Die Walkure
Mozart Nozze di Figaro
Mahler 4th symphony
Tippett Triple concerto
Tchaikovsky 4th symphony

and probably a lot more!

Elgar's cello concerto = excellent choice! 

PD

[San Antone]

I find the bassoon intro to Le sacre to be among the best openings of any work, although "exciting" is not how I would describe it.  I am not looking to be excited when I listen to classical music, not like I am when I listen to rock.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I find the bassoon intro to Le sacre to be among the best openings of any work, although "exciting" is not how I would describe it.  I am not looking to be excited when I listen to classical music, not like I am when I listen to rock.

Perhaps an alternative way of describing it could be something alongs the lines of "grabs you from the get-go"?  Or "really grabs your attention" and you find yourself virtually distracted and either unable or having a hard time doing anything else? 

Sometimes, for instance, I'll find myself doing something in the kitchen and have NPR keeping me company, when a certain piece of music starts to play and I find head jerking upright and towards the radio; if I'm cooking, I have to remind myself to keep stirring, chopping--whatever.   

PD