Melancholly and "Depressing" pieces

[schnabels_grandson]

What are some good ones?  I am searching for music that evokes negative emotions.  Negative emotions such as depression, melancholly and nostalgia.  I want some hard core, despondency inducing music (classical of course).  

[nad]

'Melody from Orpheus et Euridice' by Gluck, and arr. by Sgambatti. If you'll ever find the score mail it to me  

[thracozaag]

What are some good ones?  I am searching for music that evokes negative emotions.  Negative emotions such as depression, melancholly and nostalgia.  I want some hard core, despondency inducing music (classical of course).  

 Berg Sonata
 Le Gibet (Ravel)
 Scriabin Preludes Op. 74
 Nuages Gris (Liszt)

[comme_le_vent]

i think vocalise by rachmaninov is up there
the finale of alkan's grande sonata is uber-melancholy
scriabin etude op2 no 1 is very sad also
2nd mvt of beethoven's 7th symph(arranged by liszt)
some chopin nocturnes too
beethoven's kreutzer sonata(for violin and piano) has some extremely sad parts in the 1st mvt

but the saddest thing ive ever heard - the end of the 1st mvt of alkan's symphony for solo piano - how can music be any more emotional than this?

[Beethoven87]

Alot of people think it's "overblown," and I'd have to agree to a certain extent, but a big old brooding and meloncholy piece of music is the "Prelude, Chorale and Fugue" César Franck.  Perhaps it's overplayed, and you're probably looking for pieces you haven't heard of, but all the same, Mvt. 1 of Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata is definitely deeply meloncholy and sad.  I heard once that it was written right when Beethoven'd heard that he irrevocably loding his hearing.  Does anyone know anything about that?  I also heard it was about the Countess Gucciardi (I know it's dedicated to her).  

[eddie92099]

In context, the second movement from Prokofiev's Seventh Sonata,
Ed

[schnabels_grandson]

Thanks for all the replies  .  Hey nad, I do have the Gluck.

[ted]

"Au Pays Devaste", by Cecile Chaminade. It is her cry from the heart concerning the First World War. It deserves more attention and is one of the most anguished little pieces I have ever heard.

[chopiabin]

The Funeral March from Chopin's second sonata, Scriabin's etude op.8#11, Rachmaninov's prelude in B minor op.32#10, the Funeral March from Scriabin's first sonata, Chopin's Oceans etude, Nocturne op.48#1 and more that I can't think of now.

Could you email me the Gluck-Sgambati? of_this_oak@hotmail.com

[bernhard]

The list is endless.

Several of the Chopin preludes are pretty depressing (notably no. 2 – one of the most lugubrious pieces ever written – no. 4 no. 15 and no. 20). Not to mention the Funeral March.

Several of the Rachmaninoff preludes (notably op. 32 no. 5 which Rachmaninov himself said symbolised exile and return)

Several of the Grieg’s “Lyric Pieces”.

Several of Mendelssohn’s Song without words (notably the Funeral March and the Venetian Boat Songs).

Satie’s Gymnopedies and Gnossienes

Ravel’s Pavane Pour Une Enfante defunte

But if you want something out of the well trodden path, try Janacek’s “On the Overgrown Path”, which he wrote  after his only daughter died aged 21  - a tragedy he never recovered from. It is a suite of ten short pieces in which Janacek explores different aspects of the theme of sorrow. You can’t get more melancholic than this! Equally melancholic is the much shorter “In the Mists” (only four pieces).

Most of Mompou’s piano music is pretty depressing. In particular his “Charmes” – six pieces of which no. 5 – Pour Evoquer L’image du Passé (To remember the past) says it all in the title.

Also some of Chabrier’s “Pieces Pittoresques” can be quite melancholic (no. 2 is actually titled “Melancholie”. My favourite is no. 6 – Idylle – a true gem – more delicate than melancholic and depressing though).

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[anda]

i'd say there are a lot of works that could get you sad, or melanchollic - i agree on ravel's pavane... or the marcia funebre by chopin or by beethoven - 3rd part from sonata op. 26, or satie, also 2nd part from beethoven 4th always gives me chills... as for depressing - anything bad played

[Beet9]

THE most depressing piece of all time is the Elgar cello concerto.  But it kicks total butt!!

[dinosaurtales]

Don't know if it has to be for solo piano, but the Smetana piano trio is pretty darned depressing.  
He wrote it after his 4year old daughter died, so it really speaks.

[Jemmers]

Chopin's etude op.10 no. 6.

[L.K.]

One of Prokofiev's symphonic poems is really depressing. I don't remember the name though.
Also numerous mazurkas by Chopin and almost anything by Ravel.

[The Tempest]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Chopin's Prelude in C Sharp Minor, Op. 45. This has got to be one of the most tragic and depressing pieces I've heard.


The middle section of Chopin's 2nd Scherzo also (the part with the triplets; the flowing part is really beautiful but not sad).

[PeterHK]

CHOPIN
Etudes Op.10 No.3, 6, 9; Op.25 No.7
Preludes Op.28 No.2, 6, 14
Sonatas Opp.35, 58 slow movements

TCHAIKOVSKY
Op.37a No.6 (June: Barcarolle)

SKRIABIN
Etude in C# minor, Op.2 No.1

[Legato]

Bernard,

I also find some of the Rachmaninoff Preludes "depression"   while at the same time very beautiful.   I think Op. 32 #10 fits this description for example.

Rob

[bernhard]

Bernard,

I also find some of the Rachmaninoff Preludes "depression"   while at the same time very beautiful.   I think Op. 32 #10 fits this description for example.

Rob

Very true.

[rlefebvr]

The list is endless.


Several of the Grieg’s “Lyric Pieces”.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

Which Lyric pieces would that be and are there any a grade 3 to 4 could learn.
I love slit your wrist music.

[bernhard]

Which Lyric pieces would that be and are there any a grade 3 to 4 could learn.
I love slit your wrist music.

Have a look here where I graded all of Grieg’s Lyric pieces:

http://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=teac;action=display;num=1061212155

(I particularly like Arietta)

Best wishes,
Bernhard

[alkanite]

Rach B- Prelude op. 32

Some pieces that sound sad have deep within them some triumph or resolve that tempers the melancholy. I would say 2nd movt. of Beethoven's 7th is that way for me.  Other pieces stamp out hope completely like the Rach above.  It tempts listeners with major chords but quickly reminds us that all such notions are futile.  Surely one of the saddest major chords ever written is the C+ 4-5 bars into the return of the main theme.

Other pieces that are not necessarily all sad can sound that way.  Case in point the Lipati recording of the Chopin waltzes and some other pieces.  He plays the  Mazurka in C#- which runs the gamut of emotions.  But one can hear the undercurrent of immense sadness running through the whole thing (perhaps due to his condition at the time of recording), and it has become one of the saddest pieces for me because of this.  The performer can have a significant impact on melancholy.

Highly subjective topic.

[Legato]

I would guess that Rachmaninoff was a pretty melancholy guy.  I haven't read much (really anything) about his personality, specifically, how he presented himself and interacted with others.  If I had to guess, I would think he was very professional, always trying to be cordial.  I bet people saw a great depth of character in his soul by looking in his eyes; and his sincerity in music probably mirrored his genuineness in life.

I think of Prelude #6, Op. 23, written the day his first daughter Irina was born.  On the surface this piece is mystical, flowing and beautiful, but underneath there is a sadness.  When I listen to this piece, I can feel the genuine hope and humbling sense of responsibility he probably felt that day.

Rachmaninoff's music makes me aware of the complexities in life and how beauty and happiness are often hidden by the distractions of everyday life.  Just think of the cadenza in the first movement of Concerto #3, the alternate version (ossia).  There are numerous voices there that sound like they are communicating with each other, each having their own opinion but not really arguing, almost socratic.  And in their interaction, the actual conversation, there is beauty.

I can't play this piece, but I wonder what people who do, think of the idea that the voices are speaking to each other?  And do you play the ossia or the more scherzo-esque "regular" version?

Rob

[Legato]

'Melody from Orpheus et Euridice' by Gluck, and arr. by Sgambatti. If you'll ever find the score mail it to me  

When I was speaking with the Juilliard bookstore today, I rememebered you asked about this piece.  They have the Sgambatti arr.  It retails for $4.95 (US).

Rob