There are some songs that reach down and hit me every time I hear them. Was reminded yesterday that the 2nd movement of Beethoven’s 7th Symphony is one of
them…stayed in the car yesterday after driving back from rehearsal so I could hear it all. Also among these gems are:
- the Queen of the Night’s aria from Act 2 of Zauberfl?te
- Barber’s Adagio for Strings
- Strau?’ Radetzky March
- “Ah, leave me not to pine” from Act 2 of Pirates
- Albinoni/Giazotto Adagio in G minor
And the full quote is:
Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.
It’s ‘breast’, not ‘beast’, and is from “The Mourning Bride,” Act i. Sc. 1., of William Congreve (1670?-1729).