10 Classical Music Pieces That Will Knock Your Socks Off

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Classical music is typically thought of as calming and romantic. You wouldn’t expect to be headbanging at a symphony concert, but these pieces will certainly get you moving.

Rossini – William Tell Overture

One of the most well-known tunes around, the main part of the William Tell Overture should certainly get you excited. Just picture yourself riding to battle on a horse!

The piece starts off with a beautiful cello solo, but once you get about halfway through your heartbeat will go through the roof.

 

Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90, “Italian” – 1. Allegro vivace

This piece always reminds me of the bicycle scene form the 1979 movie Breaking Away. Something about it just makes me want to hop on a bike and go 60 mph like the main character did.

 

Tchaikovsky – 1812 Overture

Quiet playing, quiet playing…boom! This famous piece is often played on Fourth of July. It’s become associated with patriotism, but Tchaikovsky originally hated it.

We think this rendition is the most sparkling, but if you want more, Classic FM did a summary of the five most explosive versions of the 1812 Overture.

Orff – O Fortuna

If you’re looking for movie trailer levels of epic, O Fortuna is it. This piece has in fact been used in epic scenes during movies and trailers very much like Lux Aeterna By Clint Mansell.

 

Beethoven – Fifth Symphony

A classic and the only piece that is known by its first eight notes. The shift from loud to soft and back throughout the first movement should be enough to raise the hairs on your next if not knock those socks right off.

If that’s not enough to rock your world, here’s a version on electric guitar:

 

Saint-Saëns – Symphony No. 3

If you are just looking for a loud piece, look no further than Saint-Saëns’ 3rd Symphony.

 

Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 (Ode to Joy)

Another universally recognizable melody, Ode to Joy is only one small part of this wonderful symphony.

 

Holst – The Planets: Mars

Mars, the god of war, is well-represented in this heart-pumping composition. You feel like he is definitely bringing an army to you.

Wagner – Flight of the Valkyries

It’s no wonder a violist went deaf while performing this piece during. The brass section certainly holds nothing back while playing this inspiring piece which incidentally was why it was used in the helicopter scene in Apocalypse Now.

 

Stravinsky – The Rite Of Spring

It reportedly caused a riot on its premiere, and it totally sounds like one too.

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