The saddest music

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I recall a time when I was feeling extremely low. I tried to listen to Parry's 5th Symphony, which I is a work that exudes a feeling of calm. But as Ff inferred, it was annoying and sounded insincere.

[verismissimo]

saddest music? is this a Breakfast question? do we text?

No.

[pastoralguy]

What in the sound of the music makes you associate being lonely with this piece ?

It reminds me of a lament for something lost. This is one work which, for me, just needs the bare bones of the notes - no ornamentation required.

[DublinJimbo]

There's so much!

I'll offer two, merely because I've listened to them recently and was deeply affected by both —

1. Chopin: Mazurka in A minor op. 17 no. 4
2. Handel: From Giulio Cesare, Act I – Duet: Son nata a lagrimar (I was born to weep)

[MrGongGong]

It reminds me of a lament for something lost. This is one work which, for me, just needs the bare bones of the notes - no ornamentation required.

That's interesting
So something that "reminds" you of a lament is more poignant than a 'real' lament ?

If sad laments are what you seek the Duduk music of Armenia is the place to go IMV

[cocolinmichela]

Thank you! Nice to meet you all.

[Roehre]

Thank you! Nice to meet you all.

late, but not too late I hope: a warm welcome from me too

[Ferretfancy]

I've just thought, Delius - particularly Sea Drift, but all his music has a sense of loss which may not touch everybody. Absorbing though, if you are in the right mood.

[Roehre]

I've just thought, Delius - particularly Sea Drift, but all his music has a sense of loss which may not touch everybody. Absorbing though, if you are in the right mood.

Good point, applies to many of his works indeed, including "uplifing" works like the (quite early) Northern sketches and Florida suite, or Paris, the song of a great city. And it certainly permeates the (much later) three concertos for violin, cello and violin & cello respectively.

[Serial_Apologist]

Thinking of Delius, Warlock's "The Curlew" comes a close second to my Bartok 6/4

[johnb]

......
Ravel: Pavan pour une infante defunte

The work that I had to play to open a commemorative concert, only five days after that tragic event.

I know many put it in the same category as VW's Lark, Coplands Appalachian Spring, etc - over played and too familiar - but I am always moved by it.

Sad, yes - also very poignant. For some strange reason I think it is the 'loneliest' piece I know.

[cocolinmichela]

late, but not too late I hope: a warm welcome from me too

Thanks!

[amateur51]

Thinking of Delius, Warlock's "The Curlew" comes a close second to my Bartok 6/4

Oh yes

[cocolinmichela]

Ditto

Thank you all!

[amateur51]

Michael Berkeley said that his guests on Private Passions very rarely choose cheerful music. Sad music helps us in some way.

Some echo of Tolstoy's opening of Anna Karenina there?

"Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."