{"id":106,"date":"2013-03-13T09:14:00","date_gmt":"2013-03-13T09:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shockwave-sound.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/13\/choosing-right-classical-music-pieces_13\/"},"modified":"2021-10-28T06:53:36","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T06:53:36","slug":"choosing-right-classical-music-pieces_13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shockwave-sound.com\/blog\/choosing-right-classical-music-pieces_13\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing the right Classical music pieces for use in your project, part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This is a continuation of the article: Choosing the right classical music (Part 1)<\/b><\/a> which you can read here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In part one of this series we looked at a list of 10 Bombastic classical pieces. Those huge, thunderous anthems that would sound great as an accompaniment to epic visuals & graphics or deep sonorous voice overs.<\/p>\n

But the beauty of classical music is that it is rich in dynamism. One moment loud & boisterous, the next wistful & melancholic. In part two we\u2019re looking into the sensitive side of classical music with a list of 10 breath takingly beautiful pieces of classical music.<\/p>\n

Part two: Beautiful Classical Pieces<\/h4>\n

So here\u2019s a list of 10 stunners from the classical canon. Usages could include film and documentary scenes such as panning shots of natural beauty, moments of reflection, falling in love\u2026Romantic visuals that would benefit from a touch of sheer understated class.<\/p>\n

10. The Four Seasons (spring) – Vivaldi<\/h4>\n

Fresh & flowery, The Four Seasons is Vivaldi\u2019s series of Baroque violin concertos inspired by the 18th Century Italian countryside. Vivaldi\u2019s music has a high note count with plenty of gushing detail & colour and of all the Season\u2019s, \u2018Spring\u2019 is over brimming with flamboyant Baroque fruitiness.<\/p>\n

9. Flower Duet – Lakme<\/h4>\n

Highjacked (pardon the expression) by British Airways for a series of TV ads, \u2018Flower Duet\u2019 is a magnificent operatic aria performed by two female sopranos. The operatic voices bob and weave through a magical garden of soaring cellos & assorted strings like two beautiful swans. Tasteful, graceful, stylish and elegant.<\/p>\n

8. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor – Beethoven<\/h4>\n

Recognizable from a plethora of usages in contemporary film and TV, Piano Sonata No. 14 (AKA The Moonlight Sonata) takes you on a lilting journey with its ever shifting succession of solo piano chords. One moment somber and sincere the next enchanting and elegant, and as one of Beethoven\u2019s most beautiful pieces, is more than worthy of a place in our list.<\/p>\n

7. Peer Gynt (morning) – Edvard Grieg<\/h4>\n

Imbued with a sense of fresh optimism this dynamic aria builds from a fluttering flute into a euphoric orchestra as daybreak bursts through the morning mist. A Norwegian composer, Grieg even lived long enough to hear some of his compositions immortalized on record.<\/p>\n

6. Messiah Halleluiah Chorus – H\u00e4ndel<\/h4>\n

In our lists of both bombastic and beautiful classical music, this one easily straddles both camps with its huge choirs, crashing cymbals & divine orchestration. Another Baroque composer, Handel is considered one of the classical elite having composed over 40 operas in the early 1800\u2019s.<\/p>\n

5. The Lark Ascending – Vaughn Williams<\/h4>\n

British composer Vaughn Williams\u2019 most celebrated piece was inspired by a poem about a skylark. And as flutes and violins spiral skyward, the imagery of a bird in flight is synonymous with this elegant masterpiece. Melancholic, sad & breath takingly graceful.<\/p>\n

4. Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Minor Prelude – Bach<\/h4>\n

Known to induce feelings of tearful ecstasy and abundant joy in most listeners, one must often contemplate\u2026What is it about this continuous stream of solo cello notes that moves the human soul so profoundly?<\/p>\n

3. Nimrod – Elgar<\/h4>\n

Among Elgar\u2019s best known compositions are the orchestral works, Enigma Variations. Taken from that is the popular piece is Nimrod. With its angelic wind and swelling orchestral strings it surely ranks among one of classical music\u2019s most compelling pieces.<\/p>\n

2. Adagio for Strings – Barber<\/h4>\n

Radiating with angelic warmth, \u2018Adagio\u2019 tugs at the heartstrings with apparent ease as its wash of strings climb higher and higher towards divine absolution. Simply one of the most graceful & appealing classical pieces ever composed, it has been used to great effect in films as diverse and polar opposite as Platoon and The Elephant Man.<\/p>\n

1. Ave Maria – Schubert<\/h3>\n

Yes, here we are at the top of the pile where I\u2019m keen to point out that these pieces are in no particular order. Although Schubert\u2019s Ave Maria is possibly the number one favourite when it comes to popularity. And continued cover versions of varying quality. It\u2019s a stunningly sad yet uplifting operatic aria in its traditional arrangement. Although nowadays we\u2019re treated to less sympathetic versions by the likes of Beyonc\u00e9 & Celine Dion!<\/p>\n

OK, so there we have it. A list of 10 beautiful classical compositions in no particular order. And, of course, it\u2019s all down to subjective taste. With so much wonderful classical music, I\u2019m sure you could make up an infinite number of lists in the same category without including any of the above. In fact, here are five more that might just as easily have featured in the list.<\/p>\n