Dark Classical Music Masterpieces

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geonver
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A small list of my favorite dark/sad classical music masterpieces

List Summary
19 Works 16 Composers 11 Genres
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String QuartetPiano TrioChantVoice and OrchestraPiano QuintetUnsorted OrchestralSextetMass / RequiemSymphonySymphonic PoemViolin Concerto
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23 Responses
diamondbriKs
May 24, 2017

I really think that Chopin's Waltz in C minor (op.64 no.2) can really be pretty spine chilling if the interpertation is slower. Evgeny Kissin has a wonderful example here: https://youtu.be/WVsGf1ag6Us

REDvv
May 25, 2017

Seeing "Le Sacre du printemps" listed as "dark/sad" is unbelievable. It's anything but dark or sad!

geonver
May 26, 2017

@REDvv "The Rite of Spring" is certainly not sad. But I've always considered it dark and mysterious!

Classical_Music
Oct 23, 2017

I would definitely include the 2nd movement of Shostakovich's second piano concerto. That is sadness if I have ever heard it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBHxawuDpm8&t=900s

Not to mention Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwWH1cyIo9E&index=42&list=PLu37dr4TZek9YGubdhLm3orkwfA0jCG3q

edwardr86
Dec 6, 2017

I recommend Gorecki's Symphony No. 3 aptly named ""Symphony of Sorrowful Songs" if you're into solemn/dark. Edit: Nevermind. I just noticed it's already on the list.

Steerpike
Jan 25, 2019

Sibelius' 4th symphony would be on my list of dark pieces, along with the 4th and 6th symphonies by Vaughan Williams.

Whelp
Apr 13, 2019

great list! I believe lots of Giacinto Scelsi works can be relevant for this list too

droid8622
May 15, 2019

Tchaikovsky valse melancolique sounds misterious as well

droid8622
May 15, 2019

@droid8622 https://youtu.be/aEO1jfF-_5w

judo
Jun 12, 2019

Brahms sympony no.2 can be considered sad too

Tchaikplayer200
Feb 8, 2020

quite a good list I agree with all of these

Tchaikplayer200
Feb 8, 2020

Id add the bruch violin concerto 1 in G minor, berg concerto, and the Bach Partita in D Minor (specifically the chaconne), from a violinist's standpoint ;)

joegarrigan15
Feb 19, 2020

@geonver because of that T-Rex eating the Stegosaurusin Fantasia

ChibiUbu
Feb 6, 2022

Thanks for the list, I am spending more time with classical music.

eepstei
Mar 27, 2022

I'll have to check out some of these.   I love Shostakovich's 8th String Quartet.   His 8th Symphony is really worth checking out,  though it may take a couple of listens to really take.   Exquisite and tragic.   His 5th as well, of course, the 3rd movement.  Cheers.

JohnOldland
Mar 29, 2022

@REDvv First half is in daylight. Secomd half is at night so dark.

JohnOldland
Mar 29, 2022

Bartok Music for strings 3rd movement (creepy)

Also Bartok Piano Concerto 3 , 2nd movement ( tranquil night with birds and insects)

not_scr
Jul 12, 2022

Rite of spring is anything but sad!

EdwardAllanPoe
Aug 17, 2022

I would put Elgar's cello concerto up there.

peterjohndean
Aug 24, 2022

Martinu's "Memorial to Lidice".

EmberPianist
Dec 4, 2023

@Classical_Music, I 100% think there should be more Shostakovich pieces. Maybe the last movement of his 5th symphony.

GINE
Mar 13, 2024

Isle of the Dead?

tylehurst
Apr 16, 2024

Tchaikovsky' Piano Trio Op50 - the violin is harrowing throughout the piece.

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