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Music to stir the emotions

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kiloran
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Music to stir the emotions

#502066

Postby kiloran » May 22nd, 2022, 9:18 am

Music comes in many forms, from muzak to routine stuff that fills the radio waves to truly great works of art that can create great emotion.

Here are a few of mine in the latter category.

Nimrod, from Elgar's Enigma Variations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUgoBb8m1eE
My dad's favourite. We played it at his funeral. It perfectly describes my dad's life, starting very quietly and gently, then slowly building in volume and confidence with a real richness of sound until a big climax, and then quickly fades away. Never fails to produce a tear or two and a lump in my throat. Happy tears, mind, he was a good, gentle lad, my dad. 21 years today since he died.

Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihx5LCF1yJY
Has its roots in the 1500's, and is quintessentially english. If you cut me in half, I think this is what would pour out. I never tire of just lying back and soaking this up

Pink Floyd's Shine On You Crazy Diamond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tc6RM7ZkWQ
There's something about this which always makes my eyes well up. Maybe Rick Wright's keyboards, maybe the sound David Gilmore conjures from his guitar, maybe the words and the way it was a tribute to Syd. Always better live, with the response from the audience. In a Best of Pink Floyd, this has to be way up there.

Pink Floyd's High Hopes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jMlFXouPk8
Another one that always elicits a few tears. Not sure why it makes my eyes well up. Maybe the fact that it's the last track on the last (real) album by the Floyd. Maybe they knew it would be their last and put all their experience and skill into it, it's beautifully crafted. Majestic keyboards from Wright and soul-searching guitar from Gilmore, especially the slide guitar in the second half. That top note really hits me. I always planned this to be played at my funeral, though I've since decided I don't want a funeral or large gathering. Maybe that's why this track tugs at my emotions.

That's the good emotions, but sadly music can also create bad emotions. I hate this one:
Lou Reed's Perfect Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYEC4TZsy-Y
I love Lou Reed's early stuff in The Velvet Underground, but I can't handle Perfect Day. Many years ago, my wife was going through a truly horrendous time and latched on to this song, and played it till the cows came home. I'm sure it's a perfectly nice tune, but it still sends shivers down my spine when I hear it. OK, enough said on that.

--kiloran

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502076

Postby bungeejumper » May 22nd, 2022, 10:01 am

Another funeral piece for me. The in paradisum from Faure's Requiem (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvYt-QA9vT0) gives me the shivers every time. Which is saying something considering that I have no religious beliefs whatsoever. :|

It's those three simple organ notes, up and then down, over and over again, laid out as a backdrop to the measured swell of the voices. The simplicity of it! Emotionally overwhelming at a time when people's minds are often looking for answers to their loss. As a listener, you don't have to buy the religious message to see what it's on about.

Most of Elgar, if I'm honest, but especially the cello concerto. If you've never heard the Jacqueline du Pre recording with her husband Daniel Barenboim, the raw passion of the composer's lament for the lost generation of the first world war comes right you, especially from a performer who was herself to die young. (That's the power of association for you.) Final movement of this grainy old recording is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUgdbqt2ON0. A lot of cellists say that Du Pre was shamelessly over-egging the raw emotion - but I think that, as a one-off, I can forgive that failing.

Otherwise, I'm afraid, it's the final movement of Beethoven's dear old ninth that makes my own heart really swell. It's the EU anthem, of course - which means that some folk will hate it on principle - but for me, it's the emotional power that comes through. Not bad for a composer who was so profoundly deaf that he never heard his own creation being performed. :(

BJ

kiloran
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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502082

Postby kiloran » May 22nd, 2022, 10:16 am

bungeejumper wrote:Otherwise, I'm afraid, it's the final movement of Beethoven's dear old ninth that makes my own heart really swell.
BJ
Don't be so apologetic. It's a truly fabulous piece of music
bungeejumper wrote:It's the EU anthem, of course - which means that some folk will hate it on principle - but for me, it's the emotional power that comes through. Not bad for a composer who was so profoundly deaf that he never heard his own creation being performed. :(
BJ

Ode To Joy is just so descriptive of the emotions. I just love the power of the large orchestra, the choir, and the solo singers.
I should have included it in my list.

--kiloran

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502086

Postby bungeejumper » May 22nd, 2022, 10:39 am

Some emotional throwbacks are more personal. The Beatles' Hey Jude was one such. Aged 18, I was emerging from a period of teenage self-doubt, and I was about to move into a new life at university. The lyrics hit me like a chorus of optimism and encouragement to get out there and "make it better" in my own new scene. Fortunately I didn't waste that opportunity - which is why it still gets me every time, after all these years. ;)

Emotions can go both ways, of course. I really love my old vinyl copy of the Floyd's "More", which was a soundtrack for a low-budget film about drugs killing the hippie generation in Spain. But despite its beauty, the associations were far too strong for a friend who'd only narrowly escaped her own addiction. She would literally flinch at the sound of it.

Roberta Flack, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (1972 - but only the unaccompanied version before they messed it up with ugly orchestration.) Spoke volumes to me at the time. Probably a bit too out-there for some modern tastes!

And finally, Janis Joplin, "Mercedes Benz". (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qev-i9-VKlY) Who couldn't love that directness?

BJ

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502097

Postby ReformedCharacter » May 22nd, 2022, 11:34 am

Karl Jenkins' Chorale: Elegia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR5Twdr31N4

RC

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502100

Postby redsturgeon » May 22nd, 2022, 11:46 am

I find it difficult to listen to this song without a tear in the eye.

Dust in the Wind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH2w6Ox ... KJA3GD8AW0

John

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502125

Postby Stompa » May 22nd, 2022, 1:06 pm

Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings. I rather like this version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc8gYoXkLZ4

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502149

Postby stewamax » May 22nd, 2022, 2:56 pm

The Harry Lime Theme from 1949 film "The Third Man" that was devised and performed by Anton Karas on a zither - hauntingly redolent of life in Continental European smoky cafes in the aftermath of WW2.

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502165

Postby AsleepInYorkshire » May 22nd, 2022, 4:16 pm

kiloran wrote:21 years today since he died.

I love Lou Reed's early stuff in The Velvet Underground, but I can't handle Perfect Day. Many years ago, my wife was going through a truly horrendous time and latched on to this song, and played it till the cows came home. I'm sure it's a perfectly nice tune, but it still sends shivers down my spine when I hear it. OK, enough said on that.

--kiloran

Well in for a penny :) . I am another year older today. Indeed I'm another decade older :shock: Thankfully I share my birthday with my teenage daughter so it's all about her and I can keep a low profile :lol:

I've never been a big fan of Lou Reed's Perfect Day neither. But I can cope with this version

My Mum died on 1st December last year. I couldn't face the thought of a "Victorian" funeral. Covid and the time of year also became an issue. Mum was cremated on 17th December. In March this year we had a very small service at the Chapel in Dad's graveyard and Mum's ashes were interred. We then went to a lovely place, The Millhouse at Skidby and had a celebration of life service. The food was sensational and everyone commented on how much the had enjoyed the afternoon which we found very comforting. We chose some songs to play during the service

The first two played in the background whilst everyone arrived and got seated and chatted. The first was House of the Rising Sun by the Animals. Why? It was my Dad's favourite. The second was Hotel California by the Eagles. Why? Because we felt Mum was "checking out" but she wasn't leaving. Noting Mum didn't have any favourite songs or artists. She didn't listen to music. So it was very difficult to know what to pick.

We did a power point show with pictures of Mum and family and this started with (of course) Joe Cocker and "With a Little Help From My Friends". We played the live version with Queen.

In the middle of the presentation we played "My Way" by Elvis Presley. And to close we played "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me.

Mum would have appreciated the effort we went to. It wasn't just about her. It was about those who came to celebrate with us that day.

My daughter has been in the kitchen for the last two hours baking. She's baking me a birthday cake amongst other stuff. She got a Lego model of the Millennium Falcon which is just short of 8,000 pieces. We've also got some more Star Wars Lego "under the bed" for her at Christmas. There's the AT-AT Walker, Thor's Hammer and The Mos Eisley Cantina. We're adding more during the year. One of the spare bedrooms is being turned into a Star Wars room for her. She will also be able to use her telescope from the window.

I've no idea what music is. I like some and I don't like the rest. But there are occasions when it can touch the soul.

There's been a vacuum since Mum "checked out". My daughter and my good lady, despite their own grief, have been there for me.

AiY(D)

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502188

Postby tea42 » May 22nd, 2022, 6:59 pm

The first time ever I saw your face was penned for Peggy Seeger by Ewen McColl. I included it in my wifes funeral, the version sung by Peggy herself....

T42

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502214

Postby Redmires » May 22nd, 2022, 11:47 pm

Here's a couple of gems that I didn't come across until relatively recently. Both are about the passing of time and both moved me immensely on the first listen (not something that happens very often).

My Father - Judy Collins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R04d-XAA_EQ

The Circle Game - Joni Mitchell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NEkJhBHh54

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502223

Postby Dod101 » May 23rd, 2022, 8:11 am

There is a lot of strong emotional stuff in all of these selections, but for some, to me at least, it depends on the occasion, the time of day, and the listener's general mood/emotions anyway.

For me, I think the man for all occasions/times of day has to be Beethoven, Such a shame that the 200th anniversary of his birth, 2000 was so blighted by Covid.

Dod

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502231

Postby Sussexlad » May 23rd, 2022, 8:46 am

I fairly recently came across this group and really enjoy their Acappella singing, also seeing the emotion it obviously brings them. I'm not religious but something about the sentiment touches a nerve. They have plenty of others uploaded if you enjoy it too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4c8hDSAf6w
I Will Meet You There - Praise and Harmony

Sussexlad

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502237

Postby Stompa » May 23rd, 2022, 9:02 am

Dod101 wrote:For me, I think the man for all occasions/times of day has to be Beethoven, Such a shame that the 200th anniversary of his birth, 2000 was so blighted by Covid.

I assume you mean the 250th anniversary in 2020...

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502255

Postby Dod101 » May 23rd, 2022, 10:23 am

Stompa wrote:
Dod101 wrote:For me, I think the man for all occasions/times of day has to be Beethoven, Such a shame that the 200th anniversary of his birth, 2000 was so blighted by Covid.

I assume you mean the 250th anniversary in 2020...


Indeed. I meant 250th. Typo.

Dod

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#502539

Postby Eboli » May 24th, 2022, 7:13 pm

I'm a little surprised not to see any Bach (JS) so far. So much to invoke emotions here but perhaps the great closing chorus of the St Matthew Passion (used in the fantastic opening sequence to Scorsese's Casino is a possibility. Often played far too ponderously, I like Herreweghe's light touch of Wir Setzen uns mit Tränen nieder (We sit down with tears):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTN_hOuqLqI


For an ABBA cover I would chose this version of Like an Angel from the fantastic album Anne Sofie von Otter meets Elvis Costello. Sublime and very personal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koL36y47fd4


For pure nostalgia and a bit of opera can anything seriously beat Callas singing the cavatina section (Al dolce guidami castel natio (Lead me to the castle of my birth)) of the mad scene from Donizetti's Anna Bolena? The 1959 version captures the fragility of her voice best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1xW3S7FmXY


For a bit of wizardry and pure fun I love the trends taking place to re-ornament traditional airs, especially those of Purcell. They're great fun to play, too. For one example try this rendition of Strike the Viol from Purcell's Come Ye Sons of Art. Very appropriate for the Jubilee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M838EiInnQ


Tim Mead, by the by, got me through the wretched first lockdown with this superb rendition of Bach's Vergnügte Ruh, Beliebte Seelenlust (Contented peace, beloved delight of the soul) captured one glorious morning in All Saints Church East Finchley:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsZdCbqAaLE


Finally for pure admiration can you beat that piece of TV magic when Joan Sutherland met Marilyn Horne in 1970 and sang Mira o Norma (Look, O Norma) from Bellini's Norma. Gosh, I wish I had been in that audience. For some reason some idiot on You Tube has divided the cabaletta away from the cavatina, maybe, because (if I recall correctly) the audience applauded mid aria, so to speak. Note how Joan thins her voice in the cabaletta runs so not to overpower Marilyn Horne - just a small indication of what a fantastic artist Sutherland was. RIP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUp5dStaAaQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEKC0NBMU7Q

Eb

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#505805

Postby forgotusername » June 8th, 2022, 1:46 pm

bit late to this thread but I would add:

Gorecky Symphony no.3 (Symphony of sorrowful songs) - bearing in mind what is happening today in Ukraine, the origins of this work provoke deep emotion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._3_(Górecki) The second movement is based on the words of a child written on the wall of a Gestapo cell in WW2. For me, in the third movement (starts around 37 1/2 minutes) the soprano hits notes that bring tears to my eyes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mEWlGLkjIw
Oddly an extract of the melody was played between acts at the The Killers concert at Ashton Gate Bristol last month

Hurt - Johnny Cash. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTRGiI

Leningrad - Billy Joel, (Russia again) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgD_-dRZPgs

Elgar Sea Pictures Sabbath Morning at Sea - Dame Janet Baker, Sir John Barbirolli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEyvJ83deaM

Also agree with the choice of Dust in the Wind by Kansas - sobering lyrics

"Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away
And all your money won't another minute buy"

One Paper Kid - Emmylou Harris & Willy Nelson - fabulous harmonies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIn4k8VDyBs

Stardust - Nat king Cole tugs at the heartstrings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjU6ZjrQulc

Dod101
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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#505845

Postby Dod101 » June 8th, 2022, 4:49 pm

Emmylou Harris. I can understand the attraction but she does nothing much for me I am afraid.

To stir the emotions?

Summertime by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald ;

I Vow to Thee my Country;

The Beethoven Symphonies. If I had to choose one, probably the Eroica.

I did not know the Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, nor I am sorry to say Henryk Gorecki. Both great additions to my library, thank you.

I find emotions are triggered depending on circumstances and it is difficult/impossible to be black and white about them.

Dod

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#505883

Postby stewamax » June 8th, 2022, 7:04 pm

Kathleen Ferrier singing ‘Che farò senza Euridice’ (‘what is life to me without thee’) from Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice: hauntingly sad, but far more so for those old enough to remember the context: Ferrier was dying of cancer, and in her final concert – when she was singing Orfeo under Sir John Barbirolli – her left leg partly disintegrated. She was discreetly propped up by other members of the cast and she carried on singing and even took curtain calls. She died eight months later at the age of 41.
There are numerous recordings, but for me the best is one made at a live concert in the Netherlands (vide YouTube).

(Intriguingly, Orfeo was the final operatic performance of Janet Baker also).

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Re: Music to stir the emotions

#505906

Postby Eboli » June 8th, 2022, 7:55 pm

stewamax reminds me about Kathleen Ferrier singing Che farò:

Ferrier was dying of cancer, and in her final concert – when she was singing Orfeo under Sir John Barbirolli – her left leg partly disintegrated. She was discreetly propped up by other members of the cast and she carried on singing and even took curtain calls. She died eight months later at the age of 41.


Good choice.

Now that certainly stirs my emotions. It reminded me of Klaus Nomi singing the Cold Song from Purcell's King Arthur, which he chose before he died of AIDS totally alone (it was at a time before Princess Diana broke the barrier of touching an AIDS patient). Thoroughly haunting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnkVgKzKPt8

Eb.


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