Most joyful composition?

What's in your opinion the most joyful work ever written?

For me it's Dvorak's 8th symphony. A good candidate would also be Mendelssohn's Sommernachtstraum - Overture or Mozart's Jupiter Symphony.

What are your choices?

Mahler's 2nd..... hands down..... you all lose.

Ok, if you are also thinking of Thomas Tallis's work for 40 voices Spem in alium... you would also be correct.

I'm not sure. But it's probably something by Mozart or Haydn.

Perhaps Bach.

Probably Mozart's Jupiter symphony. I tend to prefer meloncholy music. I compose mostly in Minor keys. I would say probably the most meloncholy is Dvorak's E Minor Cello sonata.

I'm not sure. But it's probably something by Mozart or Haydn.

Perhaps Bach.

No, not Bach. He's far too amazing for that.

No, not Bach. He's far too amazing for that.

True, true. :)

Whatever it is, it's definitely not Jupiter... not Mozart's at least! Holst's Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity is probably the answer you're looking for! :D

Bach brought much joy to many people, but to call any one work of his more joyful than another and still be credible, would be impossible.

Whatever it is, it's definitely not Jupiter... not Mozart's at least! Holst's Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity is probably the answer you're looking for! :D

Yup that was it.

Even before I saw the the last few posts I was going for Holst's Jupiter. That's pretty much the only piece that I revel in... I enjoy other pieces but I revel in this one. It's a whole new level.

/nod - Holst.

Mendellsohn's Italian Symhpony, maybe?

The Rite of Spring...

come on, the piece just REEKS of happy springtime - flowers blooming, birds chirping, virgin blood freely flowing on the sacrificial altar...

nothing more joyful than that!

haha good choice, Qc!! How about Wozzceck?

I think most people would think Peter Schickele's 1st string quartet, American Dreams, is very joyful. It evokes Americana, infused with jazz and a contemporary classical feeling. It's quite elegant and pleasant to listen to.

Also, the third movement, Mad Cow Hoedown, from John Adams' 'Gnarly Buttons' is quite joyful. It's his clarinet concerto, for clarinet and chamber ensemble. The Hoedown even has a cow 'mooooo' in it!!

I was going to say Holst's jupiter, but since it was already brought up my second choice would be Korsakov's Procession of the Nobles.

Something that is really joyful is "Hallelujah" chorus from Handel's Messiah!

Carnival of Venice anyone? That one's just overflowing.... ever hear it played on violin or trumpet?

Here's some listening for anybody that cares, pick whichever one appeals to you:

Full orchestra, every section takes turns with the theme, amidst oohs and ahhs from the audience, orchestra, and conductor. So effin' happy.... :w00t:

YouTube - Carnival Of Venice

Violin and ducimers...

Cornet, Wynton Marsalis:

Most joyous composer? I would nominate Paganini.... variations on God Save the Queen for one...

Well, I personally thought Holst's Jupiter as soon as I saw the question. :)

It's just such a jolly piece! Makes my chest expand with enthusiasm whenever I hear it.

I find Holst's Jupiter to be too sad to be joyous. The lengthy section that begins with the 'cellos and violas brings tears to my eyes, can't really see how it can be the 'most joyful composition' when it has this sadness in it. It has a lot of mysteriousness and even a bit of agitation to it, all the less joyful. I was thinking a piece that is fully entirely completely jolly/joyous/happy.

Mahler's 2nd..... hands down..... you all lose.

The Resurrection symphony? The symphony where Mahler was completely obsessed with death? That symphony? Yeah I can see where you could get that.

I find Holst's Jupiter to be too sad to be joyous. The lengthy section that begins with the 'cellos and violas brings tears to my eyes, can't really see how it can be the 'most joyful composition' when it has this sadness in it. It has a lot of mysteriousness and even a bit of agitation to it, all the less joyful. I was thinking a piece that is fully entirely completely jolly/joyous/happy.

It's a patriotic anthem for the UK....

The Resurrection symphony? The symphony where Mahler was completely obsessed with death? That symphony? Yeah I can see where you could get that.

.....

.....

Um, first of all, did you not catch the name of the symphony :huh:?

and second of all, have you listened to it?!? All of it, of course, because the end is the resurrection part ;)

[..] too sad to be joyous. [...] I was thinking a piece that is fully entirely completely jolly/joyous/happy.

Are you trying to objectively argue that Holst's Jupiter is somehow ''sad''? If so, you objectively phail. :toothygrin:

(--- Turangalila is obviously the happiest piece ever. The slow movement that follows the 5th movement = joyful, lazy, hedonistic bliss.. kinda

I find Holst's Jupiter to be too sad to be joyous. The lengthy section that begins with the 'cellos and violas brings tears to my eyes, can't really see how it can be the 'most joyful composition' when it has this sadness in it. It has a lot of mysteriousness and even a bit of agitation to it, all the less joyful. I was thinking a piece that is fully entirely completely jolly/joyous/happy.

Do you mean the part Holst adapted to the lyrics Cecil Spring-Rice as a hymn?

It does bring tears to my eyes but I personally never found it sad. I find it immensely grateful and happy beyond words, but perhaps not jolly. ;)

How is it that in a thread about the most joyful compostion, "Ode to Joy" has not been mentioned? Is it too obvious, or am I just underthinking.

I've also noticed that a lot of people have mentioned Jupiter, which is titled, "Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity," so I guess that makes sense, too.

Ode to Joy? Too clich