The Scariest Classical Music You’ve Ever Heard
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From the foreboding opening of Richard Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” to the eerie “Dies Irae” from Verdi’s “Requiem Mass,” these are the scariest classical pieces ever written.
The “Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky
The “Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky is widely considered to be one of the most terrifying pieces of classical music ever written. It was first performed in 1913, and its shocking opening sequence – which features a slow, insistently pounding bass drum – is said to have caused a near-riot in the audience.
The entire work is full of dark, foreboding atmosphere, and it ends with a sense of genuine horror – as if the world were coming to an end. If you’re looking for a truly scary piece of classical music to listen to this Halloween, look no further than the “Rite of Spring”!
“Funeral March of a Marionette” by Charles Gounod
Many people associate classical music with a feeling of calm and serenity. However, there are some classical pieces that are anything but peaceful. In fact, some of them are downright scary!
One such piece is “Funeral March of a Marionette” by Charles Gounod. This piece was originally composed as a piano duet in 1872. It wasn’t until 1879 that an orchestral version was created, and it is this version that is most commonly heard today.
The piece starts off slowly and ominously, with a funeral march-like feel. The tone then becomes increasingly dark and foreboding, culminating in a discouraging and almost frightening crescendo.
If you’re looking for a classical piece to get your heart racing, “Funeral March of a Marionette” is sure to do the trick!
“In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg
One of the most well-known pieces of classical music, “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg, is also one of the scariest. The piece was written for the play “Peer Gynt,” and it depicts the scene in which Peer Gynt is chased by a group of trolls. The music starts out slow and quiet, but it quickly becomes fast and intense, with a feeling of impending doom. The piece ends abruptly, leaving the listener feeling unsettled.
“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” by Paul Dukas
“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” by Paul Dukas is a work for orchestra written in 1897. It is perhaps most well-known due to its use in the Walt Disney film Fantasia, in which it was conducted by Leopold Stokowski and performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra. The work is based on a poem by Goethe, in which a sorcerer’s apprentice tries to use magic to do his chores, but things quickly spiral out of control. The music itself is dark and foreboding, with an eerie sense of unease that is sure to send chills up your spine.
“Night on Bald Mountain” by Modest Mussorgsky
One of the most famous pieces of classical music ever composed, “Night on Bald Mountain” by Modest Mussorgsky is also one of the most terrifying. The piece was composed in 1867 and is based on a poem by Russian writer Nikolai Gogol. The poem tells the story of a group of witches who gather on Bald Mountain to celebrate the life of their leader, Satan.
The music itself is incredibly eerie, with eerie howls and wails, eerie chanting, and a feeling of foreboding that will send shivers down your spine. It’s no wonder that this piece has been used in countless horror movies over the years, including “The Shinning,” “The Omen,” and “Insidious.” If you’re looking for some truly scary classical music, “Night on Bald Mountain” is a must-hear.
