Do you cry when listening to music?

[Lethevich]

No. I have also elicited some surprised reactions from a couple of people after having confessed to this.

I tend to get certain complex feelings when I am deeply engaged by music, which in another person may lead to such things, but it's never presented itself as an appealing option.

[madaboutmahler]

*Mahler - Symphony No. 6 (coda of the Andante movement)

Oh certainly. And also certainly the "Alma theme" from the 1st movement and when it comes back at the end of the movement. And the coda as well... so much Mahler that gets me emotional!

Daniel

[Kontrapunctus]

Not as a general rule, but Barber's Adagio for Strings at one of the 9/11 memorials (back in '01) did the trick.

[Lisztianwagner]

Well, maybe I couldn't say that I go so far as to cry when I listen to music; but anyway the higher beauty and power of music strike me so much that it's impossible for me to not be extremely involved, it's a sort of hypnotism.  Whenever I listen to classical music, especially that one of the Romantic period, it's like I could perceive what the composers felt and expressed when they wrote their compositions, in all the fullness of their nature.

Ilaria

[Renfield]

This movement may seem cliche by now to Mahlerians or whatever, but I honestly think it's one of the most heartbreaking moments in music I've ever heard.

I think part of the point of being a Mahlerian, in the actual (vs. the bumper-sticker) sense, is not finding Mahler's music cliche.

Re: the whole crying issue, I don't cry in the tears-streaming, sobbing sense, but sometimes a musical experience can be so shatteringly, intensely beautiful (or just plain shattering - e.g. Mahler's 6th) that it does make my eyes water.

Same with film, although Up! (out of all things) almost got me.

[madaboutmahler]

Well, maybe I couldn't say that I go so far as to cry when I listen to music; but anyway the higher beauty and power of music strike me so much that it's impossible for me to not be extremely involved, it's a sort of hypnotism.  Whenever I listen to classical music, especially that one of the Romantic period, it's like I could perceive what the composers felt and expressed when they wrote their compositions, in all the fullness of their nature.

Ilaria

Very well put Ilaria!

Re: the whole crying issue, I don't cry in the tears-streaming, sobbing sense, but sometimes a musical experience can be so shatteringly, intensely beautiful (or just plain shattering - e.g. Mahler's 6th) that it does make my eyes water.

Yes, this is what I find happens to me. Only in a few cases do tears stream down my face!

Another few works to add to the "tear" works:
Elgar cello concerto
Karlowicz A Sorrowful Tale
Shostakovich symphony 5


Daniel

[Lisztianwagner]

Yes, this is what I find happens to me. Only in a few cases do tears stream down my face!

Another few works to add to the "tear" works:
Elgar cello concerto
Karlowicz A Sorrowful Tale
Shostakovich symphony 5


Daniel

Well, I admit there could be just three works that could make my tears fall down:

Tristan und Isolde
Götterdämmerung
Beethoven No.9

Ilaria

[ibanezmonster]

I don't, but I do find Mahler's music to be transcendent beyond tears.

[Renfield]

I don't, but I do find Mahler's music to be transcendent beyond tears.

0:)

[Amfortas]

When I hear what passes for country music nowadays, when I hear heavy metal, and when I hear hip-hop

[ibanezmonster]

When I hear what passes for country music nowadays, when I hear heavy metal, and when I hear hip-hop

Well, as I've learned over the last two years, it all depends on what type of metal you listen to. Country and hip-hop hopefully work the same way- skip over the commercial garbage and maybe there is some quality stuff?

[Amfortas]

Well, as I've learned over the last two years, it all depends on what type of metal you listen to. Country and hip-hop hopefully work the same way- skip over the commercial garbage and maybe there is some quality stuff?

I was joking of course, but you could be right about Metal, since I have categorically avoided it for decades. As for the other two, I have given them both a good shot and find that it's an understatement to say country music is not what it used to be. It's mostly just bland, heavily produced, soft pop now.

So, I was mainly joking. But there are in fact some songs that move me close to tears. No music in the 'classical' category moves me that way, but popular songs that have a deep personal significance for me. As corny as it may sound to some, "Londonderry Air" (Danny Boy) moves me almost too much.

[madaboutmahler]

Well, I admit there could be just three works that could make my tears fall down:

Tristan und Isolde
Götterdämmerung
Beethoven No.9

Ilaria

I shall prepare for tears when I listen to Tristan und Isolde then!

The final scene from Gotterdammerung always makes me shiver and release a tear due to it's immense power and beauty!
Daniel

[Brahmsian]

I shall prepare for tears when I listen to Tristan und Isolde then!

Daniel

Get the facial tissue box ready for the Prelude to Act III.   

[Lisztianwagner]

The final scene from Gotterdammerung always makes me shiver and release a tear due to it's immense power and beauty!
Daniel

I totally agree  Anyway all Wagner's endings are extremely passionate and powerful, especially those ones of his mature works; you will realize it when you'll listen to the rest of Wagner's operas 

Ilaria

[starrynight]

Not very often really.  Apart from the piece and performance I think most people probably need to be in the right kind of mood for it too.  Some tears can be good I suppose, it could purge someone of some emotions they might have stored up.