Most beautiful classical/opera tracks

The duet from "The Pearlfishers", "Au fond du temple saint", never ceases to bring me to a high state of emotion.
Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto.
Mozart's Requiem Mass.

Delibes: Lakme

quote:

Originally posted by kuma:
Delibes: Lakme

Which recording of Lakmé, kuma ?

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A couple to start with (though there are many more) --

Brahms: 3rd mvt, 3rd Symphony

Beethoven: 2nd mvt, 7th Symphony
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quote:

Originally posted by sjust:

quote:

Originally posted by kuma:
Delibes: Lakme

Which recording of Lakmé, kuma ?

Stefan,

I'm no classical music connoisseur!
I play one on piano and it's a piece that I can get into an easy groove.

I have the EMI version.

Guillaume Dufay: Vergine Bella
or
John Dunstable: O Rosa Bella
or
Nicole Grenon: La plus jolie et la plus belle

All written just before the year 1500 but incredibly beautiful.

Allegri's Miserere and Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis by Vaughan Williams are both utterly sublime...

Matt

Mozart: Mass in C Minor K427 - Kyrie

Performed by the Academy of Ancient Music, soprano Arleen Auger.

L'oiseau-lyre 425 528-2

Never fails to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Auger has a magnificent voice, and sounds absolutely stunning in this recording and particularly the Kyrie.

Brad

Tomas Luis de Vittoria’s Responsories for Tenebrae – the opening always gives me shivers – without fail.

The love duet from Monteverdi’s Coronation of Poppea – much better than the over-exposed (I blame those British Airways) Flower Duet from Lakme.

More Monteverdi: ‘Dixit Dominus’, ‘Duo Seraphim’ and, in particular, ‘Audi Coelum’ from his Vespro della Beatta Vergine. I heard this live in Chester Cathedral in ’82 or ’83. They started shortly before twilight and did not put on any lights. The audience ended up in complete darkness with the voices coming from all directions. When the entire choir pitched in on the “Omnes” it was almost scary. A magical experience. I heard it live in Venice once as well, and in King’s College Chapel - but they’re different stories.

Sibelius Violin Concerto – the Haifetz version.

Bach Oboe Concertos for ‘good mood’ listening.

The slow movement of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto.

Webber’s Clarinet Concerto.

Faure Requiem / Cherubini Requiem / Missa Solemnis / Haydn’s Theresa Mass (why does every choir always do the Nelson and overlook this one?) / Palestrina / Byrd …

I could go on.

Dan

Barber - Adagio for Strings

Mahler - Symphony 5 Adagietto

Mascagni - Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana

Bach - Largo from F Minor Concerto

Rachmaninoff - Vocalise

Faure - Pavanne

Gorecki - Symphony 3

What a pleasant few hours this thread has given us - rummaging through long neglected vinyl and playing some of the above lovely pieces.

Thanks guys - and a few to buy by the looks of it

How about the 2nd movement of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G as one from me.

Ian

Dvorak Symphony No 9 New World

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quote:

Originally posted by IanGtoo:
How about the 2nd movement of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G as one from me.

Ian, I agree wholeheartedly ... right at the top of my own list, too.

And I'd throw in Ravel's String Quartet as well.

Fred
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"Thomas Tallis" VW
"The Lark Ascending" VW
Butterfly Duet "Lakme": Delibes
"Saturn" (reconciliation) "Planet Suite": Holst
Paganini Varations: Rackmaninov
"Finlandia": Sibelieus
"New World": Dvorak
Violin Concerto: Bruch.
(organ) Old Psalm from Dalarna: Oscar Lindberg

What about La Wally one of the Missus favs or the soundtrack of "2046"