Like a leaky faucet...
This morning while not working I came across an mp3 of a high school group doing a commendable job of playing the wind ensemble arrangement of Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium." It's not that I meant to come across it, but it's one of those pieces that once you start playing it, there's no way you can stop.
I am definitely one of those people that succumbs rather easily to a piece of music wrought with intense, dripping, in your face, excruciating (and often sad, depressing) emotion. To sum it up in a High Fidelity sort of way, I'm a sucker for "sad bastard" music. But really, who isn't?
That got me thinking, what are some of the all-time, top 5 desert island pieces of music that are simultaneously heart-wrenching and soul-lifting? Works that make you sob uncontrollably out of sheer anguish and elation? Granted, I'm no expert on the subject, and I'm sure there are plenty I haven't heard, but a few come to mind:
"Nimrod" from Elgar's Enigma Variations. I think specifically to graduation, and the University Orchestra's incredibly emotional performance of it, on an incredibly emotional day.
"O Magnum Mysterium," in its various forms and arrangements. The original choral arrangement is fantastic, the trombone choir arrangement I played my last semester in school is equally impressive, and the wind ensemble arrangement blows me away every time. I have a recording of the Northwestern Wind Symphony playing it...incredible!
The fourth movement of Mahler's 5th symphony.
Barber's Adagio for Strings
Biebl's Ave Maria, which reminds me of Mr. Hudson's retirement send-off.
Countless more! Who wants to make a list? This time of year is always good for listening to beautiful, passionate music.
ADDITION: Bach's cello suites. All of them, but esp. the 2nd one. I saw Prof. Kosower perform all of them from memory once...it was a cool transformation. He was playing so intensely, and I swear he looked about 30 years younger when in the moment of performance. Sweet!
6 comments:
I think that's the second time you've corrected me on that. Geez...I'm terrible.
Oh, and here are my tentative additions to your list (though I think I've cried numerous times to the ones you've already mentioned, so kudos):
Mahler 3, 6th movement (the only time i cried while actually performing).
Pictures XV: The Great Kiev. Not exactly sad bastard music, but tear inducing NONEtheless.
Finale. Allegro, from Bernstein's Symphonic Dances (West Side Story)...because I'm a sap for that stuff. Oh heck, I'm just gonna write my own blog on this subject. Good show Pat BentSSSSS.
-Hayley
I'll bite. The Short Version (since my comment was longer than the original post.)
Grieg: Funeral March
Wagner: Pilgrim's Chorus from Tannhauser
Tchaikovsky: King Rene Arioso, Iolanta, q.v. 'David of the White Rock/Daffyd y Garreg Wen' a la Bryn Terfel.
also Sym 6
Janacek: Taras Bulba
Shostakovich: Sym. 11, yes, 11
Soon:
Mozart Requiem, once I learn it better.
Full version (somewhat annotated) appears on my own blog.
If I might add one:
Elsa's Processional to The Cathedral
Holst - Jupiter - the Chorale if not the entire piece. Of course, when I hear the chorale, I remember 7-7-7 and find I can't see through the tears. And someday you may find you too suffer from the 'old man Bents syndrome' as the waterworks start with the strength of your emotions. :-)
ooo, I'll play. It's funny you mention Lauridsen's setting of "O Magnum" because I'm working on an arrangement for marimba.
If I had to pick five, they would be (in no particular order):
Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium"
Nyman's Piano Concerto, particularly Mvt. I (okay I know I've mentioned this one a couple times on my blog already, but I really like it right now)
Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite", especially the finale
Bjork's "Overture" - Bjork may not be in the same league as the others, but it's an amazing piece anyway
...and I'll second the "Jupiter" chorale.
Honorary mention: the 24th and 25th (second-to-last and last/first) movements of Orff's "Carmina Burana".
I love the O Magnum and Mahler. Beeeeautiful.
Thanks a lot for posting this...as I write I'm sitting in my room listening to sappy music. *Sigh.*
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