The Scariest Classical Music You’ve Never Heard
If you’re looking for a good scare this Halloween, check out our list of the scariest classical music you’ve never heard! From spine-tingling opera to hair-raising symphonies, these pieces are sure to give you goosebumps.
The Exorcist
The Exorcist is a 1973 horror film based on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. The film tells the story of a young girl who is possessed by a demon and her mother’s desperate attempt to save her with the help of two priests. The Exorcist is considered one of the greatest horror films of all time, and its score by composer Mike Oldfield is an integral part of its Creepy factor. One of the most famous pieces from the score, Tubular Bells, was used in the film’s trailer and has become forever associated with The Exorcist and its scares.
A Night on Bald Mountain
Modest Mussorgsky’s “A Night on Bald Mountain” is one of the most popular pieces of classical music ever written. It was composed in 1867, and it remains one of the most frequently performed and recorded pieces of music to this day. It is also one of the scariest pieces of classical music ever written.
The piece is based on a poem by Vasily Zhukovsky, and it tells the story of a group of witches who gather on Bald Mountain to partake in a dark ritual. The music is eerie and foreboding, and it builds to a climax that is guaranteed to send chills down your spine. If you’re looking for a piece of classical music that will make your hair stand on end, look no further than “A Night on Bald Mountain.”
The Omen
This piece was composed by Jerry Goldsmith for the 1976 film, The Omen. It is considered one of the most famous and recognizable pieces of horror movie music ever written. The Omen tells the story of a young boy who is revealed to be the Antichrist. The music reflects this dark subject matter, and has become synonymous with evil and fear.
The Ring
The Ring is a composition by Richard Wagner, one of the most influential and controversial composers of the 19th century. The Ring tells the story of an all-powerful ring that corrupts its owner and brings ruin to the world. The music is dark, foreboding and full of terror. It is considered one of the most difficult pieces of classical music to perform.
The Shining
The Shining is a composition by Krzysztof Penderecki, published in 1977. It was written for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Franz Liszt, and is dedicated to him. The title refers to the eerie, otherworldly quality of the music, which evokes a feeling of terror and dread.
The piece is built around two themes: a slow, grinding theme in the lower registers which represents the slowly encroaching horror, and a high-pitched, screeching theme that represents the sudden terror of being caught in the grasp of evil. These themes are interwoven throughout the piece, creating an unsettled and unnerving atmosphere.
The Shining has been used in a number of films and television shows to create a feeling of fear and suspense, most notably in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), The Ring (2002), and Hannibal (2013). It is considered one of the most effective pieces of scary classical music ever written, and its chilling effect has made it a favorite among horror fans.
