Looking for good "dramatic" classical music with thick strings?

Question

Hey, I'm in the search for dramatic classical music (or any music similar to the style of classical music in fact). A perfect example of what I'm talking about is the intro to the song "Tightrope" by "Electric Light Orchestra". It uses thick, deep strings to give it a shadowy dramatic mood. An artist similar to this is Vivaldi, with example "Vivaldi: Concerto In G, RV 151, "Alla Rustica" - 2. Adagio". More dramatic music would be cool.

If you know of any other cool dramatic music without thick strings, then mention it too! I'm open to ideas.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Benjamin Brittens' "Simple Symphony" written for strings alone



Hugo Wolf's "Italian Serenade", also for strings.



Beethoven's 7th Symphony, 2nd movement.



Brahms' 1st Symphony, or the final movement of his 3rd Symphony.



The opening of Tschaikovsky's "Pathetique" Symphony (#6) -- not my cup of tea, but it might be yours.



Heaston's "Round Dance" -- look it up in www.classicalarchive.net



One answerer mentions Barber's "Adagio", which is a great and effective work. He also wrote "Essay for Orchestra #2" which has a dramatic opening for the strings -- masterful writing.

Answer 2

Dramatic String Music

Answer 3

An obvious answer would be Barber's 'Adagio for Strings'. It doesn't seem that dramatic or heavy at first, but it's pretty intense @ the climax.



For a cool opening on strings, and some of the best use of orchestral colour, try Rachmaninoff's tone poems, particularly the Isle of the Dead, based on the Boecklin painting of the same name.



Next is something a little bit more lively, but still stormy and increadibly dark; Shostakovich's 5th symphony, first movement. It's a little more avant-garde than other examples (like Vivaldi), but it's still great.



Also, try the first movements of the two best known symphonies by Dvorak, numbers 7 and 9. He had a flare for dark, lush Czech music that suited a string-heavy orchestra.



That's all I can think of right now, but I will add more as they come to me.

Answer 4

Rossini: String Symphony



Grieg: Halberg Suite



Mendelssohn: Italian Symphony