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I wouldn't say there has been a piece that has "changed my life". Despite the large extent that listening to music plays in my life, no single piece could be held responsible for "changing" it in any noteworthy way.
Nevertheless, a few pieces (but merely a selection) that remain highly important for me are:
Beethoven Symphony No. 5
At the age of 10, this was the first major work I ever listened to in its entirety and it convinced me that sometimes music needs to last longer than 5 minutes.
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
The first symphony I ever heard performed live, beginning a love of live classical music performance. It was also the major piece I performed in the orchestra I play in when we went on an overseas tour last year - the first time I had left the country since I was 11, and the largest musical event I had ever participated in.
The Rite of Spring
Made me believe, for the first time, in "modern" music, and the progressive nature of music today.
Finlandia
Sibelius would be my favourite composer today, and it was thanks to this piece that I discovered him.
Mahler Symphony No. 9
I heard this live, and while it was the longest piece I have ever heard live, it was also one of the most captivating. An absolutely incredible concert - I couldn't listen to any music for a week afterwards. My first experience with the power of "slow" music.
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