The saddest music you ever heard

I would very much appreciate any suggestions you may have.

I am wanting to find some emotionally stirring instrumental classical music, for personal listening pleasure (yes, pleasure).

Something quite molencholy. Something that dredges up deep feelings. Something reflective. Something that makes you think of your youth. Something that makes you think of lost friends. Something that makes you think of lost loves.

I'm not thinking of a sound too big and epic-like. Maybe something simple. Maybe lead by a cello, but not necessarily.

Any ideas are welcome. Some you make think of as cliche or ho-hum, but I may not.

Allan Pettersson's 7th Symphony. Be sure to hide the razor blades before you listen to it.

The opening movement of Dvorak's Serenade for Strings is more 'wistful' than 'sad,' but it may be what you're looking for.

Staying with Brahms: 2nd movt of the clarinet quintet 3rd movt of the 3rd symphony

To add to my previous suggestions:

Sibelius, 'Valse Triste' The slow movement from Schubert's Quintet in C major. The last movement of Tchaikovsky's 6th symphony.

Third movement of RVW Fifth

Henryk Gorecki - *Symphony of Sorrowful Songs* J. S. Bach 'Wer hat dich so geschlagen?' and 'Wir setzen uns in Tränen nieder' from the *St. Matthew Passion*. Max Bruch, movement 2 of *Violin concerto no. 1*. G. F. Handel 'Oh, fateful day' from *Saul*. G. F. Händel 'Must I my Acis still bemoan' from *Acis and Galatea*.

Regards, Eugene Holman

The final movement of Britten's Suite on English Folk Themes.

When I want to wallow in it, I listen to Khachaturian: Gayane Suite No. 3, part 4. Gayane's Adagio

The last movement of Mahler's Symphony No. 10 does it for me. Also the 'Crucifixus' from Penderecki's Credo; various bits of the St John Passion; Rachmaninov's All-Night Vigil (especially nos.3 and 14); the third movement of Schnittke's Cello Concerto No. 2, strangely; the ending of Reimann's 'Lear', etc. etc.

with itself'

Dave Hurwitz

The winner, hands down, to me is: Sofia Gubaidulina: Seven Words; Closely followed by: Alfred Schnittke: Symphony No. 8.

Allen Tyler