{"id":7081,"date":"2021-10-26T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-26T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/?p=6574"},"modified":"2021-10-27T15:23:59","modified_gmt":"2021-10-27T13:23:59","slug":"six-of-the-best-pieces-of-music-for-halloween","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/six-of-the-best-pieces-of-music-for-halloween\/","title":{"rendered":"Six of the best pieces of music for Halloween"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rssauthor\">By Freya Parr\n                \t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Tuesday, 26 October 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<p><!--?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?--><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/hector-berlioz\/&quot;\">Berlioz<\/a>: <strong>\u2018Sabbath Night\u2019s Dream\u2019 from <\/strong><em>Symphonie fantastique<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In this programmatic symphony, a young artist has fallen under the spell of a woman of near ideal beauty. Alas, it doesn\u2019t end well. In this opium-fuelled dream we encounter spirits, sorcerers and monsters which are assembled for his funeral \u2013 listen out for the spooky woodwind glissandos.<\/p>\n<p>The \u2018id\u00e9e fixe\u2019 (his beloved\u2019s musical theme) has now become a trivial and grotesque dance in 6\/8 and is then combined with the tolling bells of the Dies Irae. This is one of the most visionary pieces of music ever written and Berlioz\u2019s sense of drama and his use of the orchestra are incredible.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"&quot;Berlioz\" symphonie=\"\" fantastique=\"\" dream=\"\" of=\"\" a=\"\" witches=\"\" sabbath=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;150&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5n7qfRNzS3s?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/p>\n<section class=\"&quot;highlight\">\n<div class=\"&quot;highlight__content\" editor-content=\"\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/six-best-horror-film-scores\/&quot;\">Six of the best\u2026 Horror Film Scores<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.yourhomestyle.uk\/home-decor\/best-halloween-decorations\/&quot;\">The best Halloween decorations: top picks for a stylish and spooky look<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.yourhomestyle.uk\/recipes\/four-of-the-best-halloween-cocktails\/&quot;\">Four of the best Halloween cocktails<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/the-scariest-operas-how-the-supernatural-world-has-inspired-opera-composers\/&quot;\">The scariest operas: how the supernatural world has inspired opera composers<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"&quot;http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/six-best-pieces-music-firework-night&quot;\">Six of the best pieces of music for Firework Night<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><strong>Mozart: Commendatore scene from <em>Don Giovanni <\/em>(Act Two finale)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The statue of the Commendatore (who was killed by the Don at the start of the opera) comes to life and exacts his revenge. The Commendatore insists that the Don repent for his sins, but the Don is steadfast in his refusal. Soon after, an underground chorus of demons sings and the Don is pulled into the abyss.<\/p>\n<p>Mozart\u2019s imagination really ran riot with this libretto. After the Don has gone, there is a plagal cadence and a <em>tierce de picardie<\/em> in the blazing orchestra, both of which have overtones of solemn church music.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"&quot;Don\" giovanni=\"\" act=\"\" ii=\"\" finale=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;113&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RABF0XDNnjw?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"&quot;http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/feature\/world-music\/six-best%E2%80%A6-operatic-demises&quot;\"><strong>Six of the best operatic demises<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Tchaikovsky: <em>The Queen of Spades<\/em> \u2013 Act Three, Scene One<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is the scene during which the ghost of the Countess visits Herman and reveals the secret of the cards. Tchaikovsky employs a harmonious seven-part chorus instructed to \u2018sing loudly from a distance\u2019 which invokes the Countess\u2019s \u2018panikhida\u2019, or burial service. Herman wonders if it is the wind.<\/p>\n<p>There is both chromaticism and whole-tone harmony, which complement Herman\u2019s deranged state of mind. Ethereal, fast, contrary-motion scales and the composer\u2019s characteristic method of building intensity through rising harmonic sequence all add to the very eerie atmosphere. His superb orchestral touch is also evident here, through wonderful use of the bass clarinet.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"&quot;Tchaikovsky:\" dame=\"\" act=\"\" prelude=\"\" and=\"\" scene=\"\" placido=\"\" domingo=\"\" elisabeth=\"\" s=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;150&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/86w922pjLCU?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"&quot;http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/six-pieces-celebrate-winter&quot;\"><strong>Six pieces to celebrate winter<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"&quot;text-align:\" center=\"\"><em>Listen to our Halloween playlist <a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/gb\/playlist\/music-for-halloween\/pl.62700e0316b64f0bb68fb0235301921e&quot;\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"&quot;text-align:\" center=\"\"><iframe style=\"&quot;width:\" max-width:=\"\" overflow:=\"\" hidden=\"\" background:=\"\" transparent=\"\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/embed.music.apple.com\/gb\/playlist\/music-for-halloween\/pl.62700e0316b64f0bb68fb0235301921e?app=music&quot;\" height=\"&quot;450&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" sandbox=\"&quot;allow-forms\" allow-popups=\"\" allow-same-origin=\"\" allow-scripts=\"\" allow-storage-access-by-user-activation=\"\" allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Shostakovich: <em>Allegro molto<\/em> from String Quartet No. 8<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are no imaginary demons here. The second movement seems to be an expression of fear \u2013 a very real terror, which gets my pulse racing when I listen to it. There is something unbearable about four string instruments screaming, being forced to the limits of their expression, especially when the Hebrew melody bursts in.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/dmitri-shostakovich\/&quot;\">Shostakovich<\/a><\/strong> dedicated the whole quartet to the victims of fascism, but the meaning of this music has provoked debate. With the cryptogram DSCH (his musical signature) running all the way through it (as in the First Cello Concerto and the Tenth Symphony), there is something personal here that is hard to ignore.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"&quot;Shostakovich\" string=\"\" quartet=\"\" no.=\"\" in=\"\" c=\"\" minor=\"\" width=\"&quot;200&quot;\" height=\"&quot;150&quot;\" src=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PjvTTfbpWjY?feature=oembed&quot;\" frameborder=\"&quot;0&quot;\" allow=\"&quot;accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"&quot;http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/five-best-pieces-viola&quot;\"><strong>Five of the best pieces for the viola<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Schubert: <em>Der Erlk\u00f6nig<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Apart from being a nightmare for the pianist \u2013 the repeated right-hand triplet quavers are a real test of stamina \u2013 this short ballad tells the chilling story of a night-time horse-ride. In the hands of an imaginative singer we can hear all four characters coming through (father, son, Erlking and narrator).<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/composers\/franz-schubert\/&quot;\">Schubert<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s flair for story-telling through music is at the fore \u2013 a three-minute miniature that has you in its thrall from beginning to end.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"&quot;http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/six-best-schubert-songs&quot;\"><strong>Six of the best Schubert songs<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>John Williams \u2013 <em>Jaws<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An example of how a stunningly simple idea, brilliantly orchestrated, can create an emotive response in the viewer. The two-note bass ostinato, which gradually gathers momentum mirrors the panic we experience on screen. But this score holds much more interest than those two notes.<\/p>\n<p>Does the tuba theme perhaps suggest a lone shark on the hunt? Williams seems to conjure the expanse of the ocean with a broad, rolling theme in the strings. There are unpredictable off-beat brass accents, which add to the suspense.<\/p>\n<p>The Pier Incident sends shivers down the spine \u2013 even though nothing particularly bad happens, the music signifies that something might. Spielberg said that half of the success of <em>Jaws<\/em> was due to its music \u2013 it is easy to see why.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"&quot;https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/six-best-film-scores\/&quot;\"><strong>Six of the best film scores<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Words by James Southall, a conductor with the Welsh National Opera.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Freya Parr Published: Tuesday, 26 October 2021 at 12:00 am Berlioz: \u2018Sabbath Night\u2019s Dream\u2019 from Symphonie fantastique In this programmatic symphony, a young artist has fallen under the spell of a woman of near ideal beauty. Alas, it doesn\u2019t end well. In this opium-fuelled dream we encounter spirits, sorcerers and monsters which are assembled [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":7082,"template":"","categories":[1,17],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"4","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/10\/six-of-the-best-pieces-of-music-for-halloween.jpg",625,350,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/10\/six-of-the-best-pieces-of-music-for-halloween-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/10\/six-of-the-best-pieces-of-music-for-halloween-300x168.jpg",300,168,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/10\/six-of-the-best-pieces-of-music-for-halloween.jpg",625,350,false],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/10\/six-of-the-best-pieces-of-music-for-halloween.jpg",625,350,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/10\/six-of-the-best-pieces-of-music-for-halloween.jpg",625,350,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/10\/six-of-the-best-pieces-of-music-for-halloween.jpg",625,350,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Freya Parr Published: Tuesday, 26 October 2021 at 12:00 am Berlioz: \u2018Sabbath Night\u2019s Dream\u2019 from Symphonie fantastique In this programmatic symphony, a young artist has fallen under the spell of a woman of near ideal beauty. Alas, it doesn\u2019t end well. In this opium-fuelled dream we encounter spirits, sorcerers and monsters which are assembled&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/7081"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7082"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}