[Maxvla]

Hey,
 
I got an urge for some bring down the roof, blow out the kettle drums, LOUD symphonic stuff with chorus. Anyone got a favorite or two? Looking to start a collection.
 
Here's one of my all time favs, the 'Opening Titles' and 'Looking for Clues' by David Arnold from the Godzilla Soundtrack. This sounds absolutely fabulous when cranked to the max.
 

 
leads directly into this:
 

 

[LFF]

Are you looking strictly for soundtracks?

 

[Maxvla]

Nope. Just something of similar style.

 

[KnightK]

The Lord of the Rings soundtracks have some very epic chorus lines.

 

[LFF]

I'll second the Lord of The Rings soundtrack. Very epic.
 
Here are some epic classical recordings (both soundtrack and not)
 
SOUNDTRACKS:
Ben-Hur (On London/Decca)
Quo Vadis (On London/Decca)
Lord of The Rings (all of them)
Star Wars Original Triology
Indiana Jones Original Trilogy
Gladiator
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Conan the Barbarian
Braveheart
 
 
CLASSICAL:
 
Mozart's Requiem (Mackerras, SCO)
Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King
Orff's Carmina Burana
Dvorak's New World Symphony
Holst's Planets Suite
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture
Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain
Stravinsky's Firebird

 

[chnsawBrutality]

Nice recommendations. 
 
Quote:

I'll second the Lord of The Rings soundtrack. Very epic.
 
...
 
CLASSICAL:
 
Mozart's Requiem (Mackerras, SCO)
Grieg's In the Hall of the Mountain King
Orff's Carmina Burana
Dvorak's New World Symphony
Holst's Planets Suite
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture
Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain
Stravinsky's Firebird

 

[KnightK]

Don't forget the epitome of epic choirs: Beethoven's 9th Symphony (especially the last movement). It's the envy and inspiration of many later artists!

 

[golgi]

Although this one doesnt' contain any choral work, I still think you would really enjoy it- Tadaaki Otaka with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra: Orchestrations Astromantic.  It's a Japanese direct-to-disc release that is amazing in sound quality.  One of the tracks on it is the orchestra performing Star Wars music.  The best I've ever heard of that!

 

[Maxvla]

LFF!
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I've heard many of them before, but for some reason could not pull them up in my mental index. The Lord of the Rings, I've seen, but never listened solely to the soundtrack. I'll have to try that one.
 
Knightk,
 
I'm very familiar with the 9th, but to me it isn't all that epic in the context I'm thinking of.
 
Golgi,
 
Any links?

 

[KnightK]

One of the best movie soundtracks of all time, IMHO. Enjoy!

 
Quote:

The Lord of the Rings, I've seen, but never listened solely to the soundtrack. I'll have to try that one.

 

[jiamenguk]

Yeah, erm... Beethoven's 9th, sit down, enjoy, and subsequently jizz.
 
Edit: By familiar, do you mean you've listened to all of it? or just a crappy snip bit that was cliche-rised by culture? It absolutely pains me when I see a "Simply Beethoven" boxset in HMV and to find only the 4th Movement on its own, the 4th movement is absolutely nothing without the glory of the 1st, the technical showpiece of the second, and the pacing of the 3rd. (Yes, it is ironic since the 4th movement references the 1st, 2nd and the 3rd movement)
 
If you have, then there's no hope left... abort! abort! But try Dvorak's 9th
 
Though I'd say that the Choir in Beethoven's 9th wasn't that spectacular, apart from "Was the mode stern getelt" part, only the orchestra and the tenors, sopranos and pals were the star of the symphony, I felt the choir was just there to add to the atmosphere.
 
And to be constructive to the discussion, Grieg's Peer Gynt suite, which includes in the hall of the mountain king, as well as Ase's death, which is pretty good as well

 

[KnightK]

Quote:

Yeah, erm... Beethoven's 9th, sit down, enjoy, and subsequently jizz.
 
Edit: By familiar, do you mean you've listened to all of it, or just a crappy snip bit that was cliche-rised by culture?
 
If you have, then there's no hope left... abort! abort! But try Dvorak's 9th

 
Lol... Ode to Joy, anyone?

 
Yeah, Dvorak 9th is great. No choir, but still epic. BTW, I just performed this recently,too... for the 6th time

 

 

[Uncle Erik]

X2 on Carmina Burana. Though it doesn't have vocals, try Beethoven's 7th. Dark, deep and powerful. It's worth cranking up!

 

[Bombarde]

3x on Lord of the Rings. It was the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread.

I was delighted when Shore got an Oscar for the score. It was one of the best parts of the movie(s).

 

[Bombarde]

Oh, and since you mentioned David Arnold, the two latest James Bond soundtracks, Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace are also superb. No choral stuff, though.