Recommendations: saddest, most poignant; and most 'epic-sounding'

[exigence]

"saddest, most poignant"
- second movement to Schubert's last sonata, Bb, introduction
- Field, nocturne #10, Em
- Liszt's 12th transcendental

"epic-sounding"
- 4-5m into Liszt's Spanish Rhapsody
- middle and ending sections to his second ballade
- Chopin's Op. 25:12, ~1:30-1:55 or so
- Liszt's 10th transcendental

Just looking for some suggestions, hopefully things that're new to me. There is no specific reason other than for me looking to do a bit of repertoire expansion.

[dinosaurtales]

I am not sure what you are looking for in "sad/poigant" but Beethoven's op 110 is VERY sad. 

[exigence]

Definitely - the arioso dolente from op. 110 fits the bill perfectly for poignancy, thanks.

Any other suggestions for either category, anyone?

[thalbergmad]

I have never heard anything more epic sounding than the Moszkowski transcription of Wagners Tristan and Isolde.

[cloches_de_geneve]

For "saddest" look at the second movement of Schubert's second last sonata in A major (D 959): Really difficult to find anything more desperate than that, and the middle section adds some madness to the despair. I would say the mood is (near) suicidal.

Not to be recommended for individuals already prone to depression.

[pianogeek_cz]

Another to the "saddest" category could be Rachmaninov's prelude op. 32 no. 10, the middle section and the end is capable of delivering a three-day-long total depression... (At least it worked that way with me... )

[crazy for ivan moravec]

rachmaninoff etude op. 33 no. 3, starting at the Meno Mosso makes me cry.

[crazy for ivan moravec]

has anyone seen the video of the life of Richter? it was really sad. the ending music was him playing a slow movement of a schubert sonata i think... would anyone know which one it is?

[gonzalo]

Liszt's Transcription of Tannhauser by Wagner is THE epic piece

[chopinfan_22]

Chopin's Etude Op. 10 No. 6. That's a sad piece.

[bertrand]

Scriabin prelude op.16 no.1 ... sad AND epic AND less than 3 minutes long!

[bertrand]

... also second movement of Beethoven Sonata in D major op. 10 no.3 ...  doesn't get much sadder than that

[Floristan]

For "saddest" look at the second movement of Schubert's second last sonata in A major (D 959): Really difficult to find anything more desperate than that, and the middle section adds some madness to the despair. I would say the mood is (near) suicidal.

Not to be recommended for individuals already prone to depression.

Yes, sad and mad, I'm working on it now.  I think it is beautifully poignant (not depressing for me) -- and the "B" section is a veritable storm, full of thunder and lightning.  Schubert wrote this sonata in the last year of his life.  If this movement is any indication, he knew the end was near.

It's odd how differently each of us reacts to a piece of music.  I don't think this movement sounds suicidal so much as accepting of fate and angry at it, too -- both emotions one would expect when confronting one's own mortality.  Still, it's followed by a bright, lively, country dance of a scherzo, and then a rondo that is pure joy.

Here's a sad one for you:  Brahms Op. 119, No. 1.

[exigence]

Yeah, I also think the subjectivity of it all is quite interesting - I figured I'd get some variance (which I was definitely after, thank you).

Just made a list out of the replies above; any other additions?

Thanks again.

[m]

the ending music was him playing a slow movement of a schubert sonata i think... would anyone know which one it is?

B flat Major.

[rob47]

most epic sounding

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,8880.0.html
 

[jas]

If you'll accept a piece that ticks the "saddest" and "most poignant" boxes but not the "epic-sounding" one, Satie's third Gymnopedie is amazing. It's just beautiful.

[exigence]

Just downloaded and printed from SMA, thanks much.

Rob - not quite what I was after, and I'm not a huge rap fan, but that's actually not bad

[crazy for ivan moravec]

B flat Major.

thank u!

[klavierkonzerte]

sgambati/gluck Melodie D'Orfee is very sad.

[pita bread]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned these:

Liszt-Bellini - Norma Fantasy
Vine - Piano Sonata #1, Mvt. 1

[exigence]

These last three pieces mentioned - anyone have the sheets readily available?