The most beautiful classical music piece you've ever heard.
If you can name just one that stands out. I know our inclination is to list 50 immediately.
Mine is Handel, Concerto Grosso Op.6 No 6, in G Minor.
III. Musette: Larghetto.
I may have asked this years ago when I was on before. 2008 or so.
Sibelius' Seventh Symphony would be my candidate. This piece contains music of ineffable beauty and purity that moves me enormously. I feel it has to do with something about the power of nature, the spirit of Earth speaking through Sibelius that make it so special and incredibly majestic. Oddly enough I didn't appreciate this symphony when I started listening to it, it was later when it clicked on me.
The love scene from Berlioz's Romeo and Juliet. Munch or Bernstein.
My opinion might change next week (in fact it probably will) but at the moment what comes to mind is the slow movement of Ravel's G major Piano Concerto.
First thing to come to mind that's not the Bach Chaconne is the Andante ma moderato (second movement) of Brahms String Sextet Number 1 in B Flat Opus 18.
And I seem to be not the only person who likes it
QuoteThis sextet was used as soundtrack by French director Louis Malle in the movie "The Lovers" ("Les Amants", 1958). The sextet's second movement is featured in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Sarek". The second movement is also featured in "The Day of the Devil", an episode of Inspector Morse, and in the 2001 French-Austrian film The Piano Teacher.
(From Wikipedia)
Jacques Offenbach - Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour (Barcarolle) from Les Contes d'Hoffmann
The Love Duet from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde.
Beethoven - String Quartet No 15 in A minor, Op 132 - Third Movement 'Heiliger Dankgesang'
For sheer beauty of sound: Du Fay,
Les douleurs, dont me sens tel somme.
Quote from: Dave B on November 02, 2023, 12:56:46 PMI know our inclination is to list 50 immediately.
Partly because settling on only one is ... a challenge. But, in the spirit of your query:
This is likely to change tomorrow but I might as well include one of the earliest pieces that really blew me away in its beauty- JS Bach's Chaconne from the second partita. And the performance that did it was hearing my best friend's mother play it, I didn't know the terms for it then but upon hearing her play it many other times she plays without any vibrato but a very sweet portamento. Recording choice Giuliano Carmignola.
The first movement of Sibelius' 6th symphony.
Quote from: DavidW on November 19, 2023, 04:19:38 PMThe first movement of Sibelius' 6th symphony.
Oh, I approve. I keep wanting to add another, but I also appreciate that restraint was part of the exercise.
Ligeti: Lux Aeterna
Duruflé - Requiem, especially the Pie Jesu movement as sung by Janet Baker.
Probably Richard Strauss Four Last Songs. Grew up hearing Gundula Janowitz with Karajan and Berlin, and still like that version, but since then there have been so many beautiful voices—and orchestras, since the instrumental role is crucial—that I don't have a clear favorite interpretation.
But for the original question, happy with that choice. PS, some lovely selections in this thread.
-Bruce
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7, II. Adagio. Some of the passages are incredibly beautiful, in my opinion. The recording by Karajan and the Vienna Philharmonic is the best I've heard of this symphony, and that movement in particular.
Quote from: JBS on November 02, 2023, 07:21:39 PMFirst thing to come to mind that's not the Bach Chaconne is the Andante ma moderato (second movement) of Brahms String Sextet Number 1 in B Flat Opus 18.
Great choice! Sometimes I find that Brahms' slow movements are the weakest part of his compositions, but certainly not so with the magisterially powerful slow movement of the 1st String Sextet. In fact, the whole work is ineffably beautiful, undoubtedly one of Brahms' finest achievements IMO.
Quote from: kyjo on November 25, 2023, 06:15:42 AMGreat choice! Sometimes I find that Brahms' slow movements are the weakest part of his compositions
Why do we have a "like" button but no "loath" button! >:(
Quote from: San Antone on November 20, 2023, 03:27:32 AMDuruflé - Requiem, especially the Pie Jesu movement as sung by Janet Baker.
If you're referring to the EMI recording of the organ version with Ledger & Co., I would most definitely support your choice - it's the only version l've ever owned. Between the atmospheric recording, tonal beauty of Ledger's King's College Choir and the pleading radiance of Dame Janet ( plus the Cello soloist whose name I've regretfully forgotten ), the recording approaches ( imho ) perfection.
Quote from: Spotted Horses on November 25, 2023, 06:22:25 AMWhy do we have a "like" button but no "loath" button! >:(
I remember when we did! Do you remember? Certain posters were downvoted to oblivion no matter what they said. I've never seen Rob kill a feature so fast!
Quote from: DavidW on November 25, 2023, 07:54:58 AMI remember when we did! Do you remember? Certain posters were downvoted to oblivion no matter what they said. I've never seen Rob kill a feature so fast!
I don't think I was here during that episode.
Quote from: Spotted Horses on November 25, 2023, 07:56:11 AMI don't think I was here during that episode.
I don't remember it either.
Quote from: LKB on November 25, 2023, 06:45:27 AMIf you're referring to the EMI recording of the organ version with Ledger & Co., I would most definitely support your choice - it's the only version l've ever owned. Between the atmospheric recording, tonal beauty of Ledger's King's College Choir and the pleading radiance of Dame Janet ( plus the Cello soloist whose name I've regretfully forgotten ), the recording approaches ( imho ) perfection.
Yep, that's the one. :)
Fauré Pavane
Favorite version: Barenboim conducting the choral version with the Berlin Phil
To Gratiana Dancing and Singing by W Denis Browne - another great loss from the First World War:
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=denis%20browne%20graziana%20dancing&mid=4771F0E695407B094C394771F0E695407B094C39&ajaxhist=0
An Impromptu by Schubert. Modest choice, but really some very fine music.
Quote from: Spotted Horses on November 25, 2023, 06:22:25 AMWhy do we have a "like" button but no "loath" button! >:(
Calm down.... ::)
Samuel Barber, Second Essay for Orchestra - absolute youth sentiment, 'discovered' when I was 15.
Quote from: Spotted Horses on November 25, 2023, 06:22:25 AMWhy do we have a "like" button but no "loath" button! >:(
If we had a loath button I would be holding my breath everytime I posted about Pettersson!!
You just have to note how many people didn't like your post :-X .
Must be this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRh1-z0d4vo
PS: Not necessarily this recording.
Quote from: DavidW on December 24, 2023, 07:30:20 AMIf we had a loath button I would be holding my breath everytime I posted about Pettersson!!
(* chortle *)
Right now I would say the slow movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto 23.
Oh lordy, that last one - Mozart K488 slow movement - is always on my list, as are some other pieces on this thread - Ravel's Concerto, slow movement, Berlioz's R+J Scene d'amour. Music doesn't get more beautiful than this. But today, the mood I am in, RVW Symphony 5, third movement is The One. It's the most healing piece of music I know, I think.
Bach - Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140
Incredibly difficult to choose just one, but I will say the Andante from Mahler's 6th will be my choice for today. For me, it's one of the most beautiful movements in all of music that I know. As for performances, Bernstein (Sony or DG) or Tennstedt (either account on EMI or the LPO label) will certainly fit the bill.
Faaar too many choices... ;D
Right now I will offer for your consideration:
Bruckner: Symphony #6, the last 5 minutes or so of the slow movement, beginning with the last appearance of the "funeral march."
Dvorak: Serenade for Strings, Second Movement.
Dvorak: Symphony #4 First Movement, the Second Subject after the introduction
Quote from: Cato on May 21, 2024, 05:40:51 AMDvorak: Serenade for Strings, Second Movement.
I would counter that with the first movement of Tchaikovsky's string serenade!
Quote from: DavidW on May 21, 2024, 05:56:39 AMI would counter that with the first movement of Tchaikovsky's string serenade!
Make it the second and I'm with you. ;)
Today, that would be a choice among Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4, Mozart's Così fan tutte, Puccini's La fanciulla del West, Korngold's Das Wunder der Heliane, Zemlinsky's Eine florentinische Tragödie and Schreker's Die Gezeichneten.
How can I name just one? But I'll certainly try... for me it changes regularly, but as of May 22, 2024 it's got to be Mahler, Symphony no. 4, third movement.
honorable mentions:
Dvorak, Slavonic Dance, op. 46 no. 4, the opening.
Bruch, Scottish Fantasy, the first movement proper.
Brahms, Alto Rhapsody, after the switch to C major ('ist auf deinem Psalter')
Chopin, Nocturne in D-flat, op. 27 no. 2
There are SO many more, especially when sections of movements or pieces are factored in. I guess that's what works about Mahler 4:III - it's breathtakingly beautiful, start to finish!