Classical Music Forum banner

Most Powerful, Epic, Angry, Intense Classical Recommendations

472K views 169 replies 82 participants last post by  brucknerian 
#1 ·
I am looking for symphonies and composers that can sound like this: intense, loud instrumentals, fast pace, intense choir singing, and very angry sounding:

Examples of things I am looking for.

Can't Find Title
(Starts at [1:40])

Can't Find The Title
(Song Starts at [0:37])

O Fortuna


Any suggestions (If you could find the names of the ones I cannot find also, I would really appreciate it)

Thanks ahead of time!
 
#90 ·
Classical music should only be heard in a salon whist sporting a powdered wig and sipping on Earl Gray. I reject the notion that classical music is angry and intense. It is elegant and refined. Droll and witty. It's the music of chivalry and topcoats spread across a mud puddle for dainty damsels.
 
#91 ·
Powerful, Intense, etc. music

This will be what you are likely looking for:

Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphony No. 5 & 10

Alfred Schnittke - Concerto for Piano & Strings
Cello Sonata No. 1

Allan Pettersson - Symphony No. 7 (soul-crushing and often not performed because of it)

Bela Bartok - Music for Strings Percussion and Celeste
Piano Sonata

Penderecki - Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima

also check out my own music:

www.myspace.com/adamvincentclay

you may like it if you like any of the above composers
 
#92 ·
Classical music should only be heard in a salon whist sporting a powdered wig and sipping on Earl Gray. I reject the notion that classical music is angry and intense. It is elegant and refined. Droll and witty. It's the music of chivalry and topcoats spread across a mud puddle for dainty damsels.

:rolleyes:

Perhaps I should start a new thread on "Classical Music to go to Sleep With" or "Classical Music to to Torture Others who Hate Classical Music". Suggestions?
 
#98 ·
i mean the whole semi narrative as the symphony as a whole from beginning to end however the violence of the episode portaying the massacre of the crowd of protesters followed by the frosty stillness of the red square is what springs to mind most strongly - dont know what movement off-hand because it all seems to me like one single huge intense sweep of angst and impending threat

Also Bartok - Miraculous Mandarin - in the suite version gritty, and harsh as anything
 
#100 ·
epicness

i realize this thread is old, but i just wanted to thank the contributors. i was looking for some music for a playlist i was making for my own depraved purposes (which i can't get into without violating those terms i just agreed to), when i happened upon this forum and this thread in particular. while many of the suggestions weren't quite "dark" or "epic" enough for my taste, i've learned a lot and found a couple of gems. thanks guys!

here's the playlist if anyone is interested.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B7FF8575021754A0

keep on errr......listening to classics.....in the free world!
 
#102 ·
For the Rachmaninov, I would definitely have substituted his Symphony #1, especially the 1st and 4th movements, and added the third movement of his Symphonic Dances.

Another good one, IMO, is "In Taberna Quando Summus" from Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana". Loud and rowdy.

And as mentioned earlier, you really can't go wrong with Walton's "Belshazzar's Feast." Talk about an ORGY!

Tom
 
#115 ·
I was just looking around about classical music,and i saw that tremendous post of this metal-fan!Although it is written 2 years ago,i am not able to not answer to him!As a former heavy metal fan in the past,with exactly the same ''taste'' as yours to music,i must admit that 5 years ago i had exactly the same problem-question.I wanted to find sth epic,intense,''brutal'',angry,loud and heavy instrumental,orchestral piece in classical music,cause it was the only way to find a connection between metal and classical.So after a huge long journey i decided to write some propositions to you.Well,first of all,i have seen the posts that all the other members mentioned,and i agree almost 80%.But,i must say to you,that as a metal fan,it won't be easy for you to ''understand'' in some way,WHY the mentioned pieces(Mahler symphony 6 for example) are epic and angry.That is because your ear is not used in that kind of music.So,don't be surprised if you don't feel anything ''epic mood'' when you hear these pieces.They are epic,and angry,but it wont be easy in the first years to ''catch them'' by ear.Now,personally,i believe that the epic instrumental you are searching for is this:Verklarte Nacht-Arnold Schoenberg(Karajan/Boulez).It is the maximization of power,will,intensity,darkness,the whole piece is a monstrous,alpine power that destroyw everything,so scary and epic!But i think in the first listen you will find it a bit difficult.Another angry piece is that:Anton Bruckner-Symphonies 8,9.Bruckner was the MASTER OF EPIC SYMPHONIES,these are not just powerful...THEY ARE THE POWER ITSELF!!Epic!Check out Celibidache or Karajan's versions.Also,a true epic,angry monster is this one:Jean Sibelius-Finlandia,Oceanides,Symphony 2,and Tapiola.Especially the Karajan or Vanska version of Finlandia is a true masterpiece!I must add of course,Richard Strauss,and the symphonic poems Also sprach Zarathustra,Alpine Symphony,Metamorphosen and Tod Und Verklarung.My favourite is the Alpine Symphony.A real,cold,harsh,spiritual power!But Strauss,i must admit,is too ''difficult'',i mean if you hear Metamorphosen,you will see that it's perfect,but in a more spiritual level,you have to ''approach'' it with your mind more and less with your emotion,maybe you know what i am trying to say.Here, i mention also the Lyric Symphony from Alexander Zemlinsky,the Planets from Gustav Holst,Rued Langgaard has composed some true,epic,angry,superhuman BEASTS,most of Mahler's epic symphonies,such as the 1,2,3,5,6,8(they are difficult too!)and of course Dmitri Shostakovich symphonies 5,8,11,10,12 but especially 5 and 10.In my opinion,the ''easiest'' of all them to begin with is Shostakovich.Check him first and then reply to me with your impressions!!I am looking forward to hear,metal fan!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top