# Cherishing awe/Awesome Music

Awe-inspiring musical works can vary depending on individual taste, but here's a list of compositions that are often considered powerful and capable of evoking a sense of awe:
* Sigur Rós – Hoppípolla
** Used in experiments studying the effects of awe.
* Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral"
** Especially the final movement, "Ode to Joy."
* Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Requiem in D minor, K. 626
** Mozart's final and incomplete work, known for its emotional intensity.
* Johann Sebastian Bach - Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
** A famous organ piece known for its grandiosity.
* Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 2 in C minor "Resurrection"
** Mahler's symphonies are often monumental, and the second is particularly powerful.
* Richard Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries
** An excerpt from his opera "Die Walküre," known for its dramatic and powerful orchestration.
* Gustav Holst - The Planets, Op. 32
** Especially "Mars, the Bringer of War" and "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity."
* Anton Bruckner - Symphony No. 8 in C minor
** Bruckner's symphonies, in general, are known for their grand scale and emotional depth.
* Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture, Op. 49
** Particularly the finale with cannons and chimes.
* Samuel Barber - Adagio for Strings, Op. 11
** A deeply emotional and moving composition.
* Arvo Pärt - Spiegel im Spiegel
** Minimalist and contemplative, Pärt's work often elicits a sense of awe.
* John Williams - Theme from Jurassic Park
** Film scores can also be awe-inspiring, and this piece is a great example.
* Hans Zimmer - Interstellar Soundtrack
** Particularly the tracks "No Time for Caution" and "Mountains."
* Claude Debussy - Clair de Lune
** A beautifully expressive piano piece that can create a serene and awe-inspiring atmosphere.
* Philip Glass - Koyaanisqatsi
** The repetitive yet evolving nature of this minimalist soundtrack can be mesmerizing and awe-inducing.
* Ralph Vaughan Williams - Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
** This work for string orchestra has a lush and expansive quality that can be deeply moving.
* Eric Whitacre - Lux Aurumque
** Whitacre's choral compositions, in general, are known for their ethereal beauty, and this piece is no exception.
* Sergei Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
** Especially the second movement, which is known for its emotional depth.
* Edward Elgar - Enigma Variations, Op. 36
** Each variation in this orchestral work showcases a different aspect of Elgar's compositional skill and emotional range.
* Steve Reich - Music for 18 Musicians
** A minimalist masterpiece that unfolds gradually, creating a mesmerizing and awe-inspiring experience.
* Ludovico Einaudi - Nuvole Bianche
** Einaudi's contemporary piano compositions, including this one, often evoke a contemplative and emotional response.
* George Frideric Handel - Messiah
** Particularly the "Hallelujah" chorus, which is renowned for its power and majesty.
* Claudio Monteverdi - Vespers of 1610 (Vespro della Beata Vergine)
** A masterful choral and orchestral work that showcases the grandeur of the Baroque era.
* Ottorino Respighi - Pines of Rome
** The final movement, "Pines of the Appian Way," is especially known for its triumphant and awe-inspiring quality.
* George Frideric Handel - "Israel in Egypt"
** Especially the closing section
* Johann Sebastian Bach - "B Minor Mass"
** Entire Work, with a focus on the Gloria
* Franz Joseph Haydn - "The Creation"
** Part I - "Let there be light"
* Ludwig van Beethoven - "Missa Solemnis"
** Sanctus
* Richard Wagner - "Die Meistersinger"
** Overture and Act III
* Claude Debussy - "La Mer"
** First Movement - "De l'aube à midi sur la mer"
* Maurice Ravel - "Daphnis et Chloe"
** Opening Scene
* Igor Stravinsky - "The Firebird"
** Berceuse and Finale
* Richard Strauss - "Alpine Symphony"
** Part VI - "At the Summit"
These compositions span different genres and styles, but they are known for their ability to evoke powerful emotions, including awe. Keep in mind that personal preferences play a significant role in how individuals perceive and respond to music.
* ↑ ChatGPT generated much of this text responding to the prompt: “provide a list of musical works that are most likely to evoke awe”. The list was augmented by suggestions from a musicologist and other sources.
* ↑ Silvia, P. J., Fayn, K., Nusbaum, E. C., & Beaty, R. E. (2015). Openness to experience and awe in response to nature and music: Personality and profound aesthetic experiences. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 9(4), 376–384. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000028