Most Beautiful Melodies

[lisztmusicfan]

I had a lot of success with my Massive Pieces post, and I got a BUNCH of great suggestions from it, so lets see if we can do it again! What are some of the most beautiful melodies in all of classical music? (Preferably piano, but hey, I like orchestral works too). I personally love the Ondine with its beautiful themes and transcendence, and I also love Schuberts Klavierstucke D. 946 No 1. It's a melody that will get into your head and stick there!

[perprocrastinate]

I like the slow movements of Prokofiev's sonatas 6, 7, and 8.

But if you want a specific section, the second subject of the first movement of Rachmaninoff's third concerto. I used to think it was smarmy, but it's really just hauntingly beautiful.

As for orchestral, I've recently discovered Tchaikovsky's sixth symphony, and I don't think I've ever heard a more immense musical presence than the climax of the first movement.

[theholygideons]

2nd movement of Rachmaninoff's sonata no.2.
The development section of Mendelssohn's wedding march, where it goes C A E F A G F E on top of a f major chord followed by a g minor one (lol).
2nd movement of petrushka.
I always thought that the second theme of scriabin's sonata no.5, that's played at a very fast tempo, if you slowed it down, in the case of glenn gould's recording, is actually the most beautiful melody ever. 
1st movement of medtner's sonata romantica.
1st movement of dvorak's cello concerto as well as elgar's cello concerto.

[liszt1022]

Menuet from Ravel's Le tombeau... <3

[ale_ius]

 

[ale_ius]

[gvans]

Preferably piano, but hey, I like orchestral works too.

No offense, lmf, but you're leaving out a huge category of music: chamber music. If you want to hear a beautiful melody, for starters, listen to the opening of the Brahms B Major Piano Trio, Opus 8.
Or the Beethoven Spring Sonata first movement. Or the andante from Schumann's Piano Quartet (silencio, thalbergmad)...or the adagio from the Faure C minor piano quartet, or...or...the list is endless.

[classicalnhiphop]

the octave melody line that starts with a c octave to e flat octave in the appasionata movement 1
the prelude and fugue (especially fugue) in f sharp major book 1 of wtc, trust me, its just amazing
the main theme of Rachmaninoff concerto 1 movement 1
the opening melody line of Scriabin etude opus 8 no 5 in e major

eh those are prolly my favorites off the top of my head

[j_menz]

[chicoscalco]

Ravel's piano trio, dat melody from the first movement...

[coda_colossale]

Dies Irae motive is my favourite melody.
But other than that,
Rachmaninoff.
Symphonique Dances, first movement, slow passage.
2nd concerto, 2nd movement.
3rd concerto, 1st movement, after the first repetition of the main theme, before the chordal climax.
Trios Elegiaques, No. 2
Saygun
İnci has some very beautiful and dreamy melodies.
John Cage
Dream
In a Landscape.
Prokofiev
Rachmaninoffesque passage from the 3rd movement of the 3rd concerto.
Tchaikovsky
Trio (Similar to the Ocean Etudé)
Ravel
Trio

[pianoman53]

The second theme in the scriabin fantasy. It's by far the most beautiful melody I know.

[chopin4life]

Why is opera not mentioned? In my opinion the most beautiful melodies are mozart's (I can't think of a piece that is not genius). To mention one: Le nozze di figaro Contessa Perdono.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u1b8ClWnqLg

[j_menz]

Why is opera not mentioned?

Since when isn't Madame Butterfly an opera? 

[chicoscalco]

It's interesting that no one mentioned Chopin. Not saying I would, I just expected at least someone to go all crazy for him in this thread.

Also, I'd like to add Bach's Contrapunctus 1.

[chopin4life]

I'm sorry J-menz.. I was too fast. Madame Butterfly is a beautiful opera of course
Opera is absolutely underappreciated.

[inverted]

To add to the Rach:
Symphony 3 movement 2
Concerto 2 movement 3 (the second theme repeated as the finale)
Concerto 1 movement 1
The 18th Paganini Variation
G Minor Prelude, the middle section.

Chopin:
A major theme from Ballade 1
Db Major Prelude
Waltz in C-sharp

Faure:
Sicilenne
Piano Trio C minor movements 1 + 2

Shostakovich:
Piano Concerto 2 movement 2

[mjames]

It's interesting that no one mentioned Chopin. Not saying I would, I just expected at least someone to go all crazy for him in this thread.

Also, I'd like to add Bach's Contrapunctus 1.

Chopin Piano Concerto in f minor, second movement.

[stravinskylover]

In no particular order:
Medtner:
Improvisation op 31 #1
Fairy Tale (I know it isn't the "correct" translation, but I like the sound of it better) op 20 #1

Chopin:
Nocturne op 48 #1
Ballade 4 second theme

Misc.
Vecsey-Cziffra Valse Triste (I prefer the Cziffra version over the original)
Schoenfield Cafe Music second movement

I'll add more later if I think of any more.

[ale_ius]

 

[illusionary]

Beethoven Concerto No. 5 - 2nd movt.
Liszt - Un Sospiro
2nd subject of Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2
Consolation in D flat major - Liszt
Clair de Lune - Debussy
Mozart Concerto No. 21 - 2nd movt.
Main theme of Liszt's Rhapsodie Espagnole