I'm trying to flesh out my classical music collection, and I'd like some suggestions on particularly moving pieces - like the ones that often get used in movies, for example. I like slower and quieter music, no crashing cymbals or flight of the bumblebee types. Some of my favorites are Claire De Lune, Pathetique 2nd movement, and a couple of the nocturnes of Chopin.

Howard Hanson's Symphony No. 2 "Romantic" (Some of it appears in the end credits of Alien.)

Barber's Adagio for Strings (Great # of movies have used this)

Copland's Applachan Springs

Ives' The Unanswered Question (It's quite dissonate, but interesting to listen to)

Debussy's Piano Preludes (and his "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" is a signature piece)

NPR has a list of suggestions, you might find a few pieces that you really like. The list is here.

In addition, the Penguin Guide is a good place to find the best recordings of classical pieces.

NPR also has a book of essential recordings of many different kinds of classical pieces.

The best thing to do, if possible, is go to Borders or any bookstore and listen to different types of styles or suggestions and find something that really piques your ear. That's what I do most of the time. Or even your local library (if they have a good collection - most universities have fantastic collections of classical/art music.)

My favorite is Chopin's First Piano Concerto in E Minor. The only movie I can think of that it has appeared in is The Truman Show. The second movement is a very pretty, gentle piece, and it is the one that most commonly appears on collections.

Mendelssohn is another one of my favorites--his piano and string arrangements tend to be very moving and relaxing. If it's available anywhere, you may want to check out "Duet."

If you like the music from The Pianist, you might enjoy getting the soundtrack from that movie. It is mostly Chopin, if I remember correctly.

Gould playing Bach's Goldberg Variations (there's a three disc set called Sense of Wonder that has both the 1955 and the 1982 recordings - a terrific way to compare the two approaches, marvel at Gould's idiosyncratic mastery, and muse on the power of Bach's art...)

If you like piano compositions it's hard to beat Schubert:
-Moments Musicaux #2 is very moving:

-Impromptus D899 #3:

-Impromptus D899 #4:

-Piano Sonata D960 #1 in B Flat:

...and many more.

More piano with Schumann:
-Kinderszenen Opus 15:
~Von Fremden Laendern und Menschen #1:

~Wichtige Begebenheit #6:

~Traeumerei #7:

-Kreisleriana Opus 16 #2:


...and Dvorak:
-Humoresque Opus 101 #7:


All are beautiful.

ITA on Barber's Adagio--If you like the orchestral arrangement, the original string quartet arrangement is even more serene.

Debussy's La Mer and Images are beautiful and powerful pieces of orchestral splendor.

Respighi has some particularly nice pieces--MY faves are Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome, and Church Windows.

You'll really like the second movement of Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony and the third one of Beethoven's Ninth if you haven't heard those yet.

Liszt has a couple of symphonies that have absolutely gorgeous movements: The second movement of the Faust Symphony and the second and third ones of the Dante Symphony.
Liszt also has a tone poem titled Orpheus that is the epitome of Heaven set to music.

Kronos Quartet (just saw them on the weekend - amazing).

The piano sonatas of Beethoven

I recommend the Pastoral (no. 15), Tempest (no. 17) Waldstein (No 21), Appassionata (No. 23), and all sonatas between Nos 25 to 32.

---
Rudolf

Mahler's second and fourth symphonies are particularly moving, imo. I also second the suggestion of Mendelssohn; I love his Midsummer Night's Dream ballet.

Wow. This is certainly a "classical" thread.

This is a good place to start, "The 50 Greatest Pieces of Classical Music" for only $5: http://www.amazon.com/50-Greatest-Pi...1909343&sr=8-1

I am not sure they are THE 50 greatest, but it is certainly great music.

Well, I would have suggested Ligeti, but I don't think atonal is what the OP had in mind.

On the other hand, I wholeheartedly recommend Music For 18 Musicians by Steve Reich to anyone who has any interest in music, period.

I meant that it's an old thread brought back to life.

You can't go wrong buying anything by Yo-Yo Ma.

A couple more I like a lot:

Respighi's "Ancient Airs and Dances - Bergamasca". It meanders a tad, but the central sweeping refrain is one of the most gorgeous passages in all of music (especially the first minute or so).


Mozart's piano sonata KV331 Rondo Alla Turca (especially the part that starts at :46)

Geez, the OP has probably got a doctorate in musicology by now.

Not that anyone cares, but I have added videos to my selections from exactly 6 years ago (to the day).

I really, really like Bach's Brandenburg Concerto, along with Handel's Water Music; my two favorite pieces of "classical" music.

Given that you want the slower and quieter music, have you considered picking up some classical compilation albums of just slow (adagio) movements? (Such as this one)


(Edit: Wow, I just noticed how old the OP is!)

how about some voices? like the flower duet from Lakme by Leo Delibes

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I was going to recommend some Satie and Ravel piano music, but I guess I won't bother since the OP may not even hang out here any more.

Mozart's 40th Symphony
Gabriel Faure's Requiem
Mozart's Requiem
Tschaikovsky's 6th Symphony (Pathétique)
"Low Symphony" Philip Glass (or any of his soundtracks)
Mahler's 1st Symphony
Grieg's Peer Gynt Suites

Forget the OP, in case anyone is reading this now!