[mclaren20]

What are some good orchestra pieces that 'tell a story.'



ive been listening to Metallica's S&M for thr past few hours, and i find myself listening to Ecstacy of Gold over and over and over.


The parts on this album, to me, sound like they are telling a story, if you can follow my stupid phrases.

Suggestions?

 

[Odi_et_Amo]

Quote:

Originally posted by mclaren20 What are some good orchestra pieces that 'tell a story.'

Here are a few to get you started:

1. Richard Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel
2. Smetana: Ma Vlast
3. Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
4. Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kije

Of course there are ballets, which set a story to music and dance.

Finally, opera. Puccini, in my experience, seems to be a good introduction for newbies to the genre. God forbid your first opera be a four-hour Wagner music drama.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Not familiar with the recording you mention, but these always strikes me as particularly "cinematic" (which, I admit, is not exactly the same thing, but it's also kinda story-telling):

Grofé - Grand Canyon Suite
Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition
Strauss - Eine Alpensinfonie

 

[hempcamp]

Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade comes immediately to mind.

I'm also quite fond of Respighi's Pines of Rome. Not really a story, but you can really "see" this piece with a little imagination.

--Chris

 

[scottpaul_iu]

Stravinsky's Firebird Suite

 

[KR...]

Wagner : Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)

It's "just" two CDs long. Great story!

 

[mclaren20]

thank you so much guys.

 

[Masonjar]

Zoltan Kodaly - Hary Janos Suite

Just about all the Richard Strauss tone poems.. did anyone mention An Alpine Symphony? (loosly) it's about two children (brother and sister? can't remember..) who wander up a mountain, get stuck in a storm and then find their way home.. great stuff!

-jar