What’s the most beautiful classical music piece ever composed?

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Pls help me put together a classical playlist for when I give birth in a few weeks and tell me your favourite ‘birth worthy’ piece.

I have many I love but think mine is Ralph Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, it’s gorgeously ethereal, so that’s going on there. I also love Camille Saint-Saëns's classical masterpiece, Danse Macabre but probably a little dark for this particular event even if it will be around Halloween!

First movement of Bach's Double Violin Concerto for me!

Elgar's Introduction and Allegro for strings

The Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major, I love the Nigel Kennedy recording from 1991.

Also Kennedy's album titled "Bach" is my ultimate work focus album.

@Howyoualldoworkme
I love that piece as well. RVW was a genius in my opinion
I wonder if we will be treated to any on Monday ?

Chopin’s mazurkas and nocturnes. Maxwell-Davies Farewell to Stromness. Einaudi and Richter are relaxing for birthing.

Soave sia il vento by Mozart if you want singing on your list

Your 2 named pieces are 2 of my favourites so if we share similar tastes you would probably love Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. It's got the lot - drama, romance, a grand sweeping feel.

For something more delicate, Ravel's Introduction and Allegro is just exquisite.

I like gnossienne number one by Erik Satie

It
Just blows me away

This

Has anyone said the Bruch violin concerto in G minor?

there was a recent program on BBBC Radio 4 about it: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0018fzh?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Ah yes farewell to stromness is gorgeous . Thanks for reminding me of it

Another vote for Elgar Nimrod.
I also love I Giorni, not so much classical perhaps but beautiful.

Good to see so much love for Elgar here.

Elgar's Salut d'Amour is the nearest I've come to a religious experience.

The Bach cello concertos are beautiful.

Schubert's string quintet in C Major - brings tears

Barber's Adagio is one you'll find everywhere but for good reason, it's magically haunting and relaxing at the same time

New World Symphony - Largo

Without a doubt, for me, it has to Elgar's Nimrod, from the Enigma Variations. Makes me proud, sad, weepy, thankful and happy all at once. It is quite an overwhelming piece.

You can't give birth to the St Matthew Passion!

It is a heart rending piece about how we are all sinners and the devastating death of Christ. You don't even get the relief of the Resurrection, it's bleak.

Amazing, beautiful but unrelentingly bleak.

Debussy la mer
borodin string quartet

I prefer it on Cello to Violin, but either are wonderful.

Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Pärt for a serene moment to take it all in when things have calmed down.

For me, it has to be Rachmaninov's piano concerto, the one used in Brief Encounter. Especially the 2nd movement, the climax of which literally moves me to tears when I hear it. I know of no other music that can make me cry every time simply because if its sheer beauty.

Brahms is a composer I am really enjoying as I get a bit older. The 2nd Piano Concerto is beautiful.

Mendelssohn's Hebridean (known as Fingal's Cave) is gorgeous

For ethereal I love Morten Lauridson's O Magnum Mysterium and Debussy's Arabesque

Some great suggestions here.

I think Moonlight Sonata is the most beautiful classical piece ever composed but it might be a little much for labour.

Clair de Lune a perfect suggestion.

I adore Arvo Part’s “Tabula Rasa”. The Silentium movement is captivating and so beautiful

Eternal Source of Light Divine by Handel

Oh and as pp says Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Part.