10 Great Orchestral Beginnings 

Sibelius: Tapiola Debussy: "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" Nielsen: "Alladin Suite" Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 Holst: The Planets Mahler: Symphonies No. 2 & 9 (+ the other 8 symphonies) Wagner: Tristan und Isolde (Prelude) Poulenc: Organ Concerto Magnard: Symphony No. 4 Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 George Russell: Living Time Event V (from New York Bid Band) and many many more, including yours, of course - you're so bloddy spot on

That's a great list. I just want to add two beginnings, which fascinate me completely. One is the 5th symphony by Honegger with that enormous pillars of sound in countermovement. The other is Janáceks "Sinfonietta" with the trumpets and timpani. This is like the Mendelssohn: One chord, and one knows, who is the composer.

As a horn player, I will make a plug for the greatest openings featuring horns: 1. Mahler 3 2. Tchaikovsky 4 3. Sibelius 5 4. Brahms 2d Piano Concerto 5. Tchaikovsky 1st Piano Concerto 6. Strauss Ein Heldenleben 7. Brahms 2d Symphony 8. Karlowicz Violin Concerto 9. Tchaikovsky 2d Symphony 10. Humperdinck Hansel und Gretel

I’m been one of your silent supporters liking all the videos I’ve seen since you began but never getting around to comment. You do already have so many astute commenters anyway. But now I felt the need to contribute because this new series of videos you’re making is so much fun. Your choices for these great orchestral beginnings brings back fond memories of falling in love with Classical music when I first heard these pieces. So here are a few beginnings that I love. * Mozart: the Overture from the Marriage of Figaro. When I first heard this, I thought “This is Mozart!” So much joy and exuberance and brilliant orchestral writing. * Mozart: the Overture from Don Giovanni. When I first heard this, I thought “This is Mozart?” What minor key dramatic power and those two opening chords! * Mahler - Das Lied von der Erde. I know this piece is not purely orchestral, but just the first 15 seconds alone before the baritone screams out to be heard above the orchestra are breathtaking.

The Brahms 1st piano concerto has an attention grabbing beginning, which doesn't let up through the entire movement.

Rachmaninov's Capriccio on Gypsy Themes, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Mendelsohn's Hebrides Overture From the opening it just builds up inexorably, Schulhoff Olgelala

Beethoven's 9th opening is pure sonic/orchestral colour genius. How a deaf composer could arrive at that without experimenting in a concert hall first defies explanation. I understand that you could compose harmony, counterpoint and melody using your inner ear ,but to take a new leap in orchestration (especially when the orchestra& instruments were in a state of flux) is just one of the most confounding events in music history.

The opening of Borodin symphony 2 is arresting, and I love the heroic opening theme of Dvorak symphony 3.

Excellent list. One of my favorites is Stravinsky's Song of the Nightingale Suite. The Reiner recording just explodes.

A super list, as usual. Some of my favorites: Respighi/Michael the Archangel, Fucik/Entry of the Gladiators, Williams/Star Wars title music, Beethoven 5, Tchaikovsky 4, Wagner/Flying Dutchman, RVW/Norfolk Rhap 1, RStrauss/Alpine Symphony, Gould/American Salute, Morricone/The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

My top ten would not be without the beginning of Delius’ Florida Suite - Daybreak. So evocative.

The only one coming to my mind right now is the Tannhäuser Overture. Love that tune!

Very fine list! But if there would be another list for 10 ear catching beginnings, I could suggest these works: Strauss: Blue Danube Waltz Adams: Harmonielehre Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 Rautavaara: Symphonies No. 5 Hindemith: Mathis der Maler Schnittke: Gogol-Suite Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 Ravel: Bolero Janacek: Sinfonietta Handel: Music for the royal fireworks

Always thought Beethoven's 4th has a very unique opening. It's so simple yet it grabs my attention immediately.

Am totally happy that you chose Nielsen 3 the energy is astonishing. Still remember the Bernstein LP with a paper globe on the front cover! Also absolutely agree with Martinu, beautiful start, sheen of orchestral colour. Who can fail to be entranced? Now my suggestion of a beginning as if the music was always there "in media res" as they say is Rubbra 1😀

I think a 'Great Concerto Openings' companion video would be greatly appreciated! The Tchaikovsky first piano concerto, the Grieg

Respighi's whole Pini di Roma is wonderful, but even just that first movement in itself is a orchestration masterclass

Another really fun list - thanks again Dave! Here’s my list of favorite symphonic openings (I stuck with symphonies as I can easily make a second list of non-symphony orchestral works): 1. Beethoven Symphony No. 4: I love this mysterious introduction. The more I revisit his symphonic cycle, the more the fourth gets cemented into being my favorite of his symphonies. 2. Berwald Symphony No. 3: This opening is like no other other, especially from the 1840s. 3. Kalinnikov Symphony No. 1 (second movement): I love the harp and the dreamy atmosphere at the beginning of the slow movement. 4. Mozart Symphony No. 39: One of my favorite symphonic introductions: Stately, memorable, perfect! 5. Le Flem Symphony No. 1: I love ethereal opening with that beautiful English horn solo. This is an example of a symphony that leaves the train station but does not arrive anywhere. 6. Schubert Symphony No. 8(7) “Unfinished”: No explanation needed. 7. Mahler Symphony No. 4: The sleigh bells at the beginning are perfect for transporting the listener into the dream. 8. Elgar Symphony No.1: I love the simply states big tune that kicks this symphony off. 9. Jef van Hoof Symphony No. 5:: This is only symphony I know of that has an opening movement in a strict five meter throughout (Ropartz’s Fifth has a finale in a strict five as well). It takes the uninitiated listener at least a full minute to realize that that is what’s going on. 10. Rubbra Symphony No. 6: The slow soaring theme in upper strings accompanied by harp in the lowest registers creates such a wonderfully beautiful atmosphere for this symphonic introduction.

When Callas was asked to do a new role, she always looked at the last act first. She said that if the last act is a tanker, “you might as well not do it.”

Langgaard has some pretty cool beginnings in his symphonies 4 and 10. Janacek's opening from 'From the house of the dead' is so catchy and memorable.

And for sure, we can add the Beethoven Fifth symphony.

I must say that Liszt's Les Preludes has an amazing departure and arrival - with a languorous and quiet meal in the diner car in the middle.

Great list, as always. The opening of Mahler 6 shakes you by the shoulders and slaps you around for a bit. In Strauss world, though it's a short piece, Don Juan opens quite energetically.

A great list. However, I notice one style of opening which is not represented in the list is the atmospheric lento, as in Vaughan Williams 2 and Shostakovich 11. I love these types of beginnings. Looking at the lists others have added below, one dramatic opening which nobody seems to have mentioned is Rachmaninov 1. Amongst the less well known I would also mention Simpson 1 and 5. Another which seems to me a perfect opening for what follows is Roy Harris 3. An absolutely iconic opening which nobody seems to have mentioned is Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. The problem is, once you start really thinking about it, there are so many great beginnings even a list of a 100 would only be the tip of the iceberg.

I like the beginning to the overture for Die Fledermaus by Strauss. It gets your attention. Another good one is Auber's overture to Masiniello (La Muette di Portici )

Great choices, Brahms, Bax & Also Sprach are big favourites of mine. I would add my faves (some the usual warhorse staples): Sibelius # 3 , Mahler #5, Shostakovich #5, Beethoven #5 (of course), piano entry in Busoni's Piano Concerto, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto #1, Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #2, Schönberg Verklärte Nacht.

Smetana´s From the bohemian forests and fields, has nice beginning and also the ending, also the middle is equally interesting, as some other his poems.

Some great choices there... Some more obvious than others. I see a few have mentioned Beethoven 5 and Tchaikovsky 4, difficult to ignore those. For a few more beginnings that really set the scene here's my list: Nielsen 4 Sibelius 4 Tchaikovsky Mazeppa Verdi La Forza del Destino Stravinsky The Rite of Spring Ravel Bolero

Rossini The Thieving Magpie(we never hear that march tune again but what comes next is even better) plus Janacek Sinfonietta, Beethoven Symphony no.7,Strauss Ein Heldenleben, Prokofiev Piano Concerto no.1,Nielsen Symphony no.4,Bruckner Symphony no.7,Stravinsky Petrushka, Wagner Tannhauser overture,Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no.1. As for Also Sprach he comes close with that gorgeous theme for strings shortly after the intro which I always thought was part of the Great Longing section until I read your guide to Richard Strauss.

Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony was the first beginning that came to my mind when I read your title! It was followed by Roussel's 3rd Symphony which has the same characteristic - the first 3 beats are enough to identify it without waiting for the tune to come in!

maybe best climaxes next

Dear Dave, the more you keep publishing, the more your lists are challenging! As a Haydnist (like you are too!), I'd have chosen the Creation's Chaos, but it's just a "nice to have". Another list behond criticism! Thanks.

LOVE RVW'S TALLIS FANTASIA, DAVE, AND HOW ABOUT THE OPENING OF HIS SEA SYMPHONY (SYM. 1) AND R. STRAUSS' DON JUAN. BEAUTIFUL OPENINGS. GREAT BEGINNIONGS AND GREAT ENDINGS. WONDERFUL PRESENTATIONS.

Hans Rott symphony #1. What an amazing first two minutes, to be followed by nothing of interest. Nielsen 3, yes, wow, what a genius of the symphonic form/sonata form. Such originality, force of statement, unity, trajectory.

Dave, it would also be interesting a 10 great choral beginnings. I'm thinking about the opening chorus of St. Matthew Passion...

Great list: Here's mine straight off the top of my head. Carl Orff - O Fortuna, Carmina Burana Holst - Mars, Planets Sibelius _ Finlandia Beethoven - Symphony no.5 mov 1 Saint-saens - Danse Macabre Mozart- Marriage of Figaro overture Vaughan Williams _ wasps overture. Elgar - Pomp and circumstance March No.1 Tchaikovsky -- Symphony No.4 Mov 1 Grieg Piano Concerto Mov 1

Great fun, as always! I would add the Janacek's Sinfonietta: that amazing, shining barbaric sound make me think about mythic places, mythic cities, mythic eras. I also add Schonberg's Pelleas und Melisande: its opening is the beginning of a journey into the subconscious.

What about quite beginnings like Vysehrad from Ma Vlast?

After a good night sleep my try: 1. Brahms 4. Simple yet gripping debut. 2. Rimski's Skazka from the Tales of the Czar Saltan. Or Tchaikovsky's Francesca. Sinister atmosphere. 3. Bruckner 7. Haunting tune. Speaks well with great orchestras. 4. Haydn Oxford (92) Symphony. It is a whole like the symphony. It does whisper so lovingly in Bernstein Vpo recording. Maybe I could put the 96th too you mentioned in the endings, but I cannot argument. 5. Beethoven 3. The first movement begins and ends the same way to my uneducated ears so that I feel you do not really know where the train began its journey at the beginning. 6. Sibelius Pohjola's Daughter, for its narrative quality. 7. Stravinsky's. Petruchka. Some similar reasons as The Pines. 8. Schubert 9. Grand romantic opening, seems to me as 'added' as Brahms 1. 9. May I dare Liszt Les Préludes. Attention gripping. Yet often someone robs the magic by showing off coughing live. 10. Mahler 1. Some of the reasons that preceded but another story. My subscription ends soons but with your permission, Sir, will quickly renew. Thank you again.

Lots of the most memorable music to me comes from middles! The development sections of Mozart 40, Beethoven 5, Schubert Unfinished, the Klezmer music from Mahler 1 and Mahler 2, the climax of the slow movement of Bruckner 7, the dinosaurs stomping around (sorry) in Rite of Spring, The Hero's Companion from Ein Heldenleben (I am embarrassed that I love it, but I do), the "surprise" in the Surprise Symphony, and a whole bunch of "interior" variations from, well, variations, chaconnes, passacaglias, etc.

Bernard Herrmann´s `Death Hunt´ from the movie "On dangerous ground" and of course his Prelude to "Psycho" grabs one attention from the very first note.

Well it's great to learn something new and to have a horizon expanded, so thanks for highlighting the Martinu. It's magical. I agree with other commentators in that Beethoven 5 is a tad obvious. But lets be honest people it is THE opening of THE symphony of all time. As has been pointed out before the Gunter Wand version is brilliantly balanced.

Always felt Mahler's best opening came in his 6th symphony. Totally grabs you from the jump. A few other good ones that didn't make the cut in your video: Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 Holst: The Planets (Mars) Schubert: Symphony No. 8

Cognitive science backs you up - well established findings in memory research are the primacy effect (better memory for items in a list you heard first) and recency effect (better memory for the last items you heard).

I'm convinced that Wagner nicked the opening of Mendelssohn's "Italian" Symphony for the intro to "Dich, teure Halle" (Tannhäuser Act II).

These lists are so much fun! You made a great one here...here are my two cents...For soft intros that grab you and grow into even more interesting music, I submit Debussy:Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun, Dvorak:Symphony No.7, Sibelius:Symphony No.3, and of course, Beethoven:Symphony No.9...as for the great dramatic attention getting intros 1. Haydn Symphony 45 2.Mozart Symphony 25 3.Beethoven Symphony 5 4.Mendelssohn Symphony 1 5.Schumann Symphony 3 (at the right tempo) 6.Brahms Symphony 3 7.Tchaikovsky Symphony 4 8.Vaughan Williams Symphony 4 9.Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 1 10 Shostakovich Symphony 5 And for more recent times...Rouse Symphony No.5...but there could be SO many more!

Here are a few works which I think have great openings. Haydn: Symphony nos. 45, 82,104 Mozart Symphony nos 25, 29, 40 Bruckner Symphony no 5 Mahler Lied Von Der Erde Bax Symphony no 2 Pettersson Symphony no 9

The classic example of a train that takes off bit never arrives might be tchaikovsky piano concerto 1

very difficult, there are a lot of great beginnings, great finales are more tricky to write because they have to balance out everything that happened until that point. Opening are written when usually the ispiration is at its peak! My picks: Beethoven 5 (of course, come on) Bruckner 6 (I LOVE the main theme on the ostinato) Brahms Piano Concerto 1 (probably my favourite opening by Brahms) Schumann 3 Rheinische (so joyful!) Mahler 2 (you understand from the very first tremolo note that you are up to a very big journey!) Shostakovich 7 (so triumphant) Strauss Don Juan (pure excitement, and so fun to play!) Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis on Weber Nielsen every symphony but in particular 2nd (almost bachian) and 4th (crazy as hell!) Tchaikovsky 4 (which some reason reminds me of the soundtrack from the movie Hook) there are for sure many other gorgeous ones but those came on top of my head

Nice list, Also sprach is of course just very memorable, same with RVW. About Martinů I would go with 6th, but 1st is fine. Personally, opening of Prokofiev 6th is very chilling for me, then it cools down a bit, until the climax :-)

Mr Hurwitz, one question. What is best symphony by Shostakovich?

Gotta add Beethoven’s 8th symphony. Especially in the hands of someone like Markevich. Feels like you’re being shot out of a cannon!!

"If the beginning is great and the ending is great we don't care about what happens in between" sounds a bit like Havergal Brian's philosophy in plenty of works. :P

Oh and Kenneth Keisler is the University Symphony Orchestra at the University of Michigan now btw

The opening of Mahler 2 is actually the same "material" as the opening of Mahler 1, it’s the suspended note in octaves, but this time it’s agitated. Furthermore, the development of M2 ends with octaves, the same as M1. It’s the death of the titan/protagonist of M1

Now that we're on a roll, how about a talk on great central andante or adagio movements?

My suggestions are: 1. Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin, that clarinet scream is really unique and iconic 2. Bach's Harpsicord concerto No.01 BWV 1052, the opening is extremely dark and similar to what you were describing completely tells you how the piece is going to involve

Would any of these be possible without the 2 crunching tutti chords with which the Eroica opens? Which are mirrored a century and a half later, in John Adams' Harmonilehere? Discuss. :) :)

These are the great bombastic beginnings. Next do the most beaitiful: Beethoven PC #4, and Brahms PC #2.

As a couple others have said- “The Tremolo that launched a Thousand Symphonies” …(Cue the necktie)

only add: mahler 1st and Nielson 5th for the same reasons - the mysterioso, tremolo openings and holst mars - the piece that got me hooked on orchestral music - know and love martinu 5th but, after your list, i think i need all six. what is the best box?

You didn't mention a single Beethoven Symphony. Not his 1st, his 9th, 7th, 4th, 5th, 2nd...

Schostakovich 8th symphony.

I haven't gotten to Planet Baxia yet, but I know and love the other openers on your list. Here are some of my favorites: Haydn: Symphony Nos. 31 and 103 Beethoven: Symphony Nos. 5 and 9 Brahms: Symphony No. 3 Mahler: Symphony Nos. 1 and 9 Stravinsky: Petrushka and Symphony in 3 Movements Hindemith: Symphony in Eb

Most of people know only the beginning of Also sprach Zarathoustra, the rest can be easily dull.

Love your list and love that you do not often stick with the obvious. A few of my favorites are: Vaughan-Williams: Sea Symphony Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 Mahler: Symphony No. 5 Bach: Tocatta and Fugue in D minor Schubert: Symphony No. 8 (or whatever number they are using these days) Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 Brahms: Symphony No. 3, which suffers from not having a big ending. Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 (a burst of pure joy) Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 So many works. So little time.

Oh, so many great choices among so many possibilities! Perhaps Beethoven's 5th is too obvious a choice for this list and what you always teach us about unfamiliar repertoire,, but no opening of anything musical is as well known to the population of the earth I think! 😉And, in that case, its continuation seems to live up to its promise... Slow, fast, loud or soft, if something in that music invites us into the rest, it has succeeded despite what may follow. Like great opening lines in literature ("It was a dark and stormy night!"). For pure opening excitement, I might also add Berlioz Benvenuto Cellini overture, or perhaps even more Glinka's Ruslan and Lyudmila. (with Zampa perhaps a 3rd). And can there be few to deny the slower openings of Mozart's The Magic Flute Overture, or Mendelssohn's A Midsummer's Night's Dream, reel us into the magic to come?

Some random grabs: Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. You hear that flute and not only do you know exactly what piece it is, you’re instantly taken to this dreamy scene. Mahler: Symphony No. 6. No faffing about with setting up the scene, gets right to it. Mozart: Marriage of Figaro Overture Adams: Harmonielehre. Like the Nielsen, also starts with a reiterated propulsive chord.

10. Bernard Herrmann: Main Titles to "Cape Fear": in 4 simple notes, he achieves a more chilling sense of dread than the Dies Irae does in 7. 9. Richard Strauss: Burleske - The timpani opens - and closes - this eccentric and virtuosic piano "concerto." It never fails to bring a smile to my face. 8. Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings - Such a poignancy and bittersweet sadness and quiet passion. It never lets up. 7. Franz Lizst: Totentanz - Speaking of Dies Irae, the blast or brass foreshadows Herrmann! 6. Hector Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture - His brilliant and joyous orchestration master class - in a nutshell. 5. Peter Illych Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 ("Pathetique") - Its opening with the bassoons is a dark and murky dirge. Done right, it is aural catharsis. 4. Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Orchestration: Leopold Stokowski): The voice of God, followed by His band of angels. Reenter God. Amazing! 3. Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 5 - Trumpet fanfare begins like Mendelssohn's Wedding March, but takes us into a much darker world. 2. Sergei Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody On a Theme of Paganini - Introduction and 1st Variation are pure elegance and simplicity. Deceptive simplicity for what follows, which is a kaleidoscopic tour de force. 1. Jean Sibelius: Tapiola - Again, I'm a sucker for timpani! But the opening percussive bars are a door opening into an otherworldly forested landscape that is a world unto itself. Bookends perfectly with his 7th Symphony.

Some of my top: Janacek's Sinfonietta (and Glagolitic Mass, by the way). Bruckner's 7th. Beethoven's Coriolan. Mahler's 8th. Gershwin's Rhapsody in blue.

Good video Dave! I'll add my 2 , er 10 cents worth!. 1. Bruckner symphony no. 4. One of the most lovely openings of anything, anywhere. Actually I can think of several other Bruckner symphonies that have awsome beginnings. 2. Mozart symphony no 40. Nuff said. 3. Mendelssohn violin concerto. The opening may be the best part of the concerto! 4. Beethoven symphony no. 9. The grand daddy of all mysterious openings. 5. Rubbra symphony no 4. Like the beginning of an epic movie soundtrack. 6. Beethoven symphony no. 5! Nuff said. 7. Dvorak symphony no 5. Epic pastoral. 8. Ok its not symphonic, but Wagner opening to Rhinegold. A whole world being born.

This inspired me to put together a quick list of other suggestions: 1, Bruckner: Symphony # 9 2. Dvorak: Symphony # 3 3. Beethoven: Coriolan Overture 4. Brahms: Piano Concerto # 1 5. Mahler: Symphony # 1 6. Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto 7. Wagner: Tannhauser Overture 8. R. Strauss: Don Juan 9. J. Strauss Jr: The Blue Danube Waltz 10. Elgar: Symphony # 1

I don't have ten 'at hand' to offer for this category, but certainly Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements and Shostakovich's 4th Symphony both instantly grab my attention from the start whenever I listen to them. After that, for Igor, his Symphony in C, and for Dmitri, his 15th Symphony. Beyond that, on an unrelated note, I sure wish that Stravinsky had written more symphonies than the small number that he did.

Tippett 2nd symphony. Fabulous pounding opening . Hindemith: Harmonie der Welt. It grips you initially with a memorably raucous brass theme ( especially in Mravinsky's recording) but then lets go almost immediately as the train wanders off the rails into a dense grey fog from which it never emerges.

The one I think about in great beginnings is Penderecki symphony No. 8, It's absolutly extraordinary.

Kurt Atterberg's 6th symphony deserves to be on this list in my opinion.

I was rather surprised that the Daphnis et Chloé Suite #2 wasn't on the list, and agree that the opening of Das Rheingold is truly amazing. Of course there's Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto. And if opera openings can count, what can top the opening of Parsifal?

Brahms 2nd Piano concerto,, Bruckner Symphony no 4, Chopin Piano Concerto no.1,Verdi Overture to 'la forza del destiny, Haydn Oxford Symphony (Was Haydn the precursor of all the dramatic openings of later symphonies?),[Come to think of it, I'd love to hear a chat on Haydn symphony openings...],Roussel, Suite en fa, Nielsen Symphony no.5, Smetana, Moldavia, Bartok, Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta,

Great list. The operatic equivalent of Zarathustra is the fantastic and thrilling orchestral and choral opening of Mascagni's Iris, the Hymn to the Sun. And it's all downhill from there. For my money, the beginning of Brahms' 3rd grabs you immediately and its onward and upward from there on. My personal introduction to Mahler was the mysterious, misty beginning of the 1st Symphony, for me the musical equivalent of "You had me at hello." Beethoven Eroica, talk about throwing down the gauntlet. Vaughan Williams 1st, Behold the sea itself!" Wow! The train gets shunted off onto a few unexpected sidings here and there but finally arrives at the inevitably right station. No detours for the RVW 4th, though, which grabs you by the scruff of the neck in the first bar. The Schumann Rhenish has a great beginning, full of exuberance, energy and love of life. And sustains itself for the ensuing thirty minutes, an express and sightseeing train all at the same time. Speaking of Respighi, the quiet beginning of the Fountains of Rome always makes me sigh with happiness. Just as the beginning of the Tchaikovsky Pathetique fills one with ominous foreboding. Deceptive opening: I was for a time on the board of a small community orchestra, the Bremerton (WA) Symphony whose conductor was a young David Avshalomov. He gave strict instructions that, once a concert began, latecomers were not to be admitted until the end of a work or movement, as is customary. Well, once he began a concert with the Rienzi Overture. The lady at the front immediately opened the doors and let a pile of latecomers in. Since she had heard the opening A (though on trumpet instead of oboe) she thought the orchestra was still tuning up. 😳 David had to stop and start all over again.

Without a doubt the opening to Also Spake Zarathustra is the prime example of a perfect start of a musical piece. It is a timpanist s shining moment, for sure.And the fact that it was used in the movie, 2001 A Space Odyssey is a Testament to its popularity. I believe it was the recording from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Karl Bohm that was used in said film?

My choice: Bruckner Symphony #9, Tchaikovsky Piano Concert #1, Sibelius Violin Concerto, Brahms Piano Concerto #1

I think that the beginning to Das Rheingold is a beautiful apotheosis that keeps building and building until your awash in Eflat major... Then the screaming ladies ruin it, but it's a nice 3-4 minutes

Brass players - good sense of humour and lots of beer.

Vaughan Williams, Sea Symphony. Opening Vaughan Williams, 2nd Symphony, The London Symphony Mahler, First Symphony, first movement Copland, The Red Pony, opening Holst, The Planets, opening Shostakovich, Scherzo, 10 symphony Wagner, Das Rheingold, opening Mahler, 5th symphony, first movement Bartok, Concerto for Orchestra, last movement Stravinsky, Pertrushka, opening That's all folks!

Dave, I love ya, but how could you exclude Mahler 5?! Yes, I'm a trumpet player... but I digress. Of course I own just about every Mahler 5 ever recorded, but my fave is NYPhil, Zubin Mehta, on Teldec (1991), w/ Philip Smith as the principal trumpet. Mahler instructed that the opening triplets be rushed, but I'm sure he didn't mean imprecise! It's a huge pet peeve of mine when players sacrifice precision for speed! Mahler himself told Bruno Walter, who instructed his 1st trumpet in the NYPhil at that time, William Vacchiano, to play it in a meter of 6/8. Under Mehta, Mr. Smith plays it perfectly... his rhythm is robotic and each note of the triplet clear and precise, but that doesn't sacrifice the emotion of foreboding darkness! It is a funeral march, after all. And I wholeheartedly believe the rest of the symphony lives up to the opening, as you say. The Rondo Finale is amazing! Anyway, IMHO, I think Mahler 5 should have been on the list. Maybe taking Mahler 2's place? Even though I do love that symphony as well! Opinions are the spice of life, right? Keep up the good work! -Tony

I totally and absolutely agree with you on Martinu, when I first heard his double concerto for double string orchestra, piano and timpani, I had the very same experience as you did. And I love that word 'colourist' because it so perfectly describes the great unique composers. I think Poulenc was the second best 20th Century 'colourist'.

Dave often mentions "inspirations" from other works. Such as the influence of Wagner on the opening of the Mahler 2. One he didn't mention is one of his other favourite openings . The Vaughan Williams , Thomas Tallis Fantasia,. Mind you it is probably just a coincidence from very being very similar to the theme we hear prior to the explosion of dissonance we hear , before Bruckner's "farewell to life " in his 9th symphony.Vaughan Williams composed his Fantasia in 2010, Could of he heard the Bruckner? Yes I know that the actual premier of the first three movements of the 9th didn't take place until 1932, BUT Vaughan Williams had visited Austria in the 1890's and it just possible that he might of seen pages of the9th score. BUT let's just take these beautifully melodic translucent wide chords which are so similar .Just a coincidence. What is not a coincidence is Alfred Newman's " Song of Bernadette " theme which was "inspired" from the simply perfect sonata adagio from the Bruckner 6.

No one has Bruckner 9 or Dvorak 7? Can't think of anything more ominous or "something wicked this way comes...." when I hear those two pieces.

Everyone has already posted most of my selections, but I would add Janacek's Glagolitic Mass.

Lutoslawski Symphony 3.

Opening of martini 6 is even stranger; insects, bees