Top Five: Classical music

[curgoth]

Time for another top five.

I don't have a lot of classical music in my collection, mainly because I'm picky about music. Specifically, I tend to pick out music I like by mood, and most classical pieces wander from mood to mood (sad -> angry ->inspirational etc.)

So, if you would, gentle readers, give me your five saddest pieces of "classical" music.

Comments

[nixtress.livejournal.com]

i only have two, both by mozart. first is Don Giovanni: Act II: Commendatore Scene, second is Requiem, K.626: Lacrymosa (Mournful Day).

[sqrt-joy.livejournal.com]

Samuel Barber Adagio for Strings (this piece will often bring the orchestra to tears during a performance)
Last Spring by Grieg
Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven
Elegie by Stravinsky

It's only 4, sorry, but the Barber is so sad, it'll make up two.

[webby.livejournal.com]

What if its not sad? Remind me to somehow lend you my classical mixed CD... number 8 is my favourite ;)

[curgoth]

See, if it's cheerful, happy, exuberant, etc... I probably won't like it.

[sarcasma.livejournal.com]

Five? Urgh. I mostly don't think about the mood of classical pieces I listen to, and sad isn't one of my favourites. But here's a couple ideas:

Pavane for a dead princess - Debussy
Un bel di (aria from Madama Butterfly) - Puccini (seriously, top pick of all time, makes me weep. I can send you an MP3 of my favourite rendition if you like)
Senza Mamma (aria from Suor Angelica, more Puccini, also with the making of me weep and wail)

I guess I tend not to think of "mood" for instrumental music -- opera is less of a stretch, because there's text to lay it out for you.

Any hints from you on what kind of classical you think you might like? Crazy modern? Early? Romantic? Orchestral? Chamber? Help!

[curgoth]

I'd love the mp3 if you can pass it on.

The bit that got me thinking about this request was a Baroque piece, Stabat Mater Dolorosa (and I'm blanking on the composer now). I guess Orchestral might be the place to look?

[neeuqdrazil.livejournal.com]

Pergolesi is the composer you're thinking of. And it's the first movement of his Stabat Mater that you like.

[sarcasma.livejournal.com]

A lot of people have done Stabat Maters, but yeah, they'll often be sad. You could just generally troll Passions and Requiems as well. Again, that's all vocal/choral -- my collection of/interest in plain orchestral music is pretty lacking, unfortunately.

If I get a chance I'll send you some stuff (with translations if there's text and I'm feeling nerdy) to your profile addy, hokay?

[curgoth]

See, it shows how clueless I am about classical music I am that it didn't occur to me that orchestral precludes choral. The Stabat Mater I liked so much is a choral piece (er, singing and instruments - I don't know what term that falls under).

And yeah, the LJ addy will get to me. Thank you!