# What is the best piece of music ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 10, 2003, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078 "2003-02-10T11:31:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/41 "2003-02-11T12:37:29Z")
Ersatz Schmoe writes: \> Polycarp, have you heard the Langley Schools Music Project \> version of “Desperado”? It’s heartbreaking and a little \> unsettling at the same time. The singer on that song is Sheila Behman. _The Langley Schools Music Project_ is an incredible CD. A struggling rock musician named Hans Fenger decided he needed a permanent gig, so he took a job teaching music to elementary school students in rural British Columbia back in the mid-'70’s. Not knowing exactly what music teachers were supposed to do, he taught his students all his favorite rock and roll songs. He produced a couple of albums of the kids singing these songs which sold only locally. In the late ‘90’s, somebody discovered these albums and got them played on an American radio show of oddball music. Somebody else then put together a CD of the songs from these albums. Maybe this is just an illustration of how random taste in music is, but I also think the version of “Desperado” on this CD is more emotionally powerful than either the Eagles’ or Linda Ronstadt’s. But as long as we’re indulging in matters of pure taste, my favorite song is Eva Cassidy’s version of “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/42 "2003-02-11T14:18:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 5 time champ \* > Ding, ding, ding we have a winner. **Achenar** is correct, the finest piece of music ever is **Bach’s** _Toccata & Fugue in D minor_. Oooh, is this an official victory? Even if not, I’m willing to gloat. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/43 "2003-02-11T15:15:19Z")
I dont think Beethoven’s ninth would win in any “scientific” study, as its disparate parts would probably each contain sufficient “imperfection” as to disqualify it. My subjective opinion agrees with this analysis, although it is in my top 10 classical works. Best musical notes ever: all the guitar soloes in **The Wall**. It represents a perfect synthesis of classic rock, blues rock, the ethereal, and by repetition of the theme, classical. Best. Notes. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/44 "2003-02-11T15:50:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dragon Phoenix \* > **Appreciation of music is far too personal for a ‘best piece ever’ to exist.** Nonsense. Everybody knows that the best piece of music ever written was “Er, Der Herrlischte von Allen” from Robert Schumann’s _Frauen Lieben und Leben_. Especially when Aimee Ashton sings it. Ooh, what a babe! ---
**Author:** ![Bomzaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/45 "2003-02-11T16:09:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Polycarp \* > \*\*Ithe piece that touches me most is the Eagles’ “Desperado,” \*\* I know someone who’s really into “Witch-ay Woman”…perhaps you two should meet? ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/46 "2003-02-11T16:38:55Z")
“Happy Birthday” It communicates an immediate message in a few simple lines, the tune is melodic, and it is damn near universal in its appeal. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/47 "2003-02-11T16:40:38Z")
And another thing - M M looked hot as Georgia asphalt when singing it to JFK. I doubt that J S Bach would have looked quite as fetching in the same dress. ---
**Author:** ![Tusculan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Tusculan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tusculan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/48 "2003-02-11T16:49:33Z")
You’re right, **rowrrbazzle** , that’s the one. Must be nice to have such an excellent memory. 🙂 As a side-note: I didn’t intend to claim the story I remembered was a Black Widower one; I knew it wasn’t since it was pure SF. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/49 "2003-02-11T17:05:46Z")
Yeah, **TTT** , that was my fault for confusing Asimov’s _Black Widowers Mysteries_ with Clarke’s _Tales From the White Hart_. I can’t find the link now, maybe I’ll be clearer headed after work, but I remember reading that _Ave Maria_ was the most popular song of history, based on how many times printed, sung, length of time used, etc… But, the OP wasn’t about popularity. It was about a measurable quality. Seems like it may go unanswered. At the very best, it seems any choice would be highly debatable. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/50 "2003-02-11T21:18:07Z")
Bach’s B Minor Mass get my vote. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/51 "2003-02-11T21:19:18Z")
gets, that is. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/52 "2003-02-11T22:18:09Z")
C’mon, **Poly** , “Desperado” was far from even being the best _Eagles_ song! In the 1950-present rock/pop category, I’ve got to agree with **don’t ask** and go with “Stairway to Heaven.” As **JohnT** said about some other music, it isn’t a cliche for no reason. In the all-time department, it depends on what one regards as a single ‘piece’ of music. For instance, Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony strikes me as four semi-related but more-or-less separate pieces of music, while the Fifth is, to me, a unified whole. The Ninth is somewhere in between, IMHO. And as a result, I’d put **Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony** up as my nominee for all-time best. Bach is beautiful but too bloodless and (yes, I’m saying this) mathematical; Pachelbel’s Canon is too sentimental. I say Beethoven’s Fifth is the real deal. ---
**Author:** ![Skillet38](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Skillet38](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skillet38)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/53 "2003-02-11T22:42:34Z")
I think that there is a clear winner here (oh, in my little world that is) YES : Gates of Delerium ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/54 "2003-02-11T23:22:08Z")
There’s always _Didn’t Leave Nobody But The Baby_ by Emmylou Harris, Alison Krause, and Gillian Welch. \*"Go to sleep a little baby… Go to sleep you little baby… You and me and the Devil makes three Didn’t leave nobody but the baby…"\* ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/55 "2003-02-11T23:46:33Z")
**Beethoven’s 5th** is wonderful. But **Beethoven’s 9th** , particularly the famous 4th movement, is one of the few pieces that: (a) is instantly recognizeable to joe public (b) is one of the “potboiler” classics, along with the likes of Pachelbel’s Canon and the 1812 overture © has incredible depth and passion and (d) is revered even by the most snooty of musical critics ---
**Author:** ![FranticMad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@FranticMad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FranticMad)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/56 "2003-02-12T01:31:23Z")
Top 3: “Vergeudung der Zeit” 2nd movement, by Bach The aria to “Spreco di tempo” by Dolore nel Foro And “Mordez-moi” by the Frickettes ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/57 "2003-02-12T02:36:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by blowero \* > \*\*Bach’s B Minor Mass get my vote. \*\* I was actually going to mention the **St. Matthew Passion** a bit earlier but decided not to bother. (so I guess I redecided). There’s going to be a performance of the **B minor mass** in NY next month (on Bach’s B-day 3/21 incidentally). I’m not too familar with it actually, but perhaps I’ll come back with my vote after I hear it live. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/58 "2003-02-12T04:23:20Z")
Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/59 "2003-02-12T06:49:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MaxTheVool \* > \*\ ***Beethoven’s 5th** is wonderful. But **Beethoven’s 9th** , particularly the famous 4th movement, is one of the few pieces that: > (a) is instantly recognizeable to joe public > (b) is one of the “potboiler” classics, along with the likes of Pachelbel’s Canon and the 1812 overture > © has incredible depth and passion > and > (d) is revered even by the most snooty of musical critics \*\* IANASMC, but I absolutely cannot stand that fourth movement. ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078/60 "2003-02-12T07:05:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dragon Phoenix \* > \*\*IANASMC, but I absolutely cannot stand that fourth movement. \*\* **Dragon Phoenix** : This is not meant as an affront in any way, but from your comments, you seem to actively dislike what are considered the most popular works in classical music. You also mention that the _Canon_ or _Brandenburg_s wouldn’t be at the top of your lists. What would be at the top of your lists ? Maybe I’ll discover some new works. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-piece-of-music-ever/154078.md?page=4)