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Best Melody/Melodist Ever?

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So maybe there is no best melody, but composers have designed melody to attract us to their composition, and it is something we'll remember. So best melody or best "melodies" that are out there, sang by the few, known by the majority, and they don't need harmony because once heard for the first time, they stand alone and they stand long. Not many people are going to like your music unless it has an at least satisfactory melody. Let's talk about the composers who are way better than satisfactory.

Things to consider are:

1) Instrument or lyrics of melody were exact.

-what made it stand out above the rest, that it was played on flute and horn together, or when he says "..." the perfect words for that set of notes, etc.

2) It met the theme of its portrayal.

-it defines ______ in most ways. When I hear the melody it makes me think of ______ like nothing else can. It has personal significance and it tends to haunt me.

3) Countermelody and harmonic structure.

-it weaves so easily through its architecture, such arcane instance flows from its heeded intricacy to yet a whole other instance. The relativity towards other phrases is hard to analyze because I just can't bring myself to pick everything apart. I may find myself going in circles. Although I understand it and what it does, something naturally keeps me from placing myself above it. It is respected for how originally contrived it is and it is so powerful. How did this composer ever come to think in these terms?

I think one of the most memorable melodies, the one from Debussy's "Nuages" played by the flute and the harp matches these three criteria. It sends shivers down my spine everytime I hear that part!

The melody is heard at 5:31.

Alexandros

Nuages

Chopin's Ballade 1. From 04.07 till 05.15

The whole nocturne in Db major op.27 no 8. Those melodies are so powerfull.

Although it is a very famous melody I do think the openning theme of Dvorak's Humoresuqe no. 7 is my most favourite melody.

The theme from Chaminade's Flute Concertino, or the theme from Christopher Rouse's Flute Concerto.

Oh, and the theme from Frank Ticheli's "An American Elegy." a bit overrated but nonetheless a flawless piece.

I think the Aino theme from Sibelius's 7th Symphony is definitely a contender, especially when played by the brass (like the trombone solo the first time). It's so simple, yet so powerful!

He's right, you know.

Plus, I already strangled him, as well as:

Berg

Berlioz

Mozart

Rachmaninov

Ravel

Glazunov

Debussy

Jessome

and many, many more!

I've always thought the main theme (played by the violins) from Borodin's Polovetsian Dances was up there.

Opening of Mahler 3

Auferstehn from Mahler 2

Tchaik 6, Mov. 3 march theme

Tchaik Marche Slave (minor theme)

Beethoven Eroica

Beethoven Ode to Joy

Unfinished sonata in C major by Schubert. second theme.

its not too famous, and its pretty simple. but its sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo beautiful.

Here are some of my favorites...

Lovange

Actually, I'd say the most universally known (though perhaps not recognized) melody is probably 4'33".

My list of GREAT MELODIES:

Mozart, Symphony No. 40, Movement 1 - Everyone knows this one.

Beethoven, Symphony No. 3, Movement 1 - Although it's not a "melody", the main theme is a beast... extremely hummable

Movement 2 - It tears your heart open with grief

Beethoven, Symphony No. 6, Movement 2 - You feel like you're taking a stroll down a country lane with your beloved.

Movement 4 - filled with hope and a genuine love for life

Beethoven, Symphony no. 7, Movement 2 - A poetic hymn... quite triumphant

Beethoven, Symphony no. 9, Movement 1 - A theme filled to the brim with frustration and anger

Movement 4 - Of course, the celebration of the brotherhood of men.

Schubert, Piano Trio No. 1, Movement 1 - Joyous, light and light-hearted

Schubert, Symphony No. 5, Movement 1 - Mozartean in concept, executed very girlishly

Movement 3 - Martial, but at the same time very trim

Schubert, Symphony No. 8, Movement 1 - Hauntingly beautiful.. obscure

Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 3, Movement 3 - Pensive yet loving simultaneously

Movement 4, Coda - Heroic, passionate, and brings a triumphant end to the symphony

Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4, Movement 3 - Nostalgia and warmth

Movement 4 - devilishly quick and undying

Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 5, Movement 1, introduction - Majestic, ominous, spiritual

Movement 2 - Again, light, playful and happy.

Ok, this is going to take forever... the rest are without explanation:

Mendelssohn, Violin Concerto in E minor, Movements 1, 2, and 3

Mendelssohn, Piano trio in D minor, Movement 1

Schumann - Symphony No. 3 in Eb, Movement 1

Schumann - Cello Concerto in A minor, Movement 1

Schumann - Violin Concerto in D minor, Movement 2

Schumann, Piano Concerto in A minor, Movement 1

Wieck, Piano Trio in G minor, Movement 1

Mendelssohn-Hensel, "Das Jahr", "September"

Lalo, Symphonie Espagnole, Movements 1 and 3

Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6, Movement 1, B theme

Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6, Movement 2

Brahms, Symphony No. 4, Movement 1 and 2

Brahms, Violin Concerto in D major, Movement 1, B theme

Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto in D major, Movement 1

Saint-Saens, Piano Concerto in F major, Movement 1

Saint-Saens, Algerian Suite, Marche Militaire Francaise

Dvorak - Symphony No. 7, Movement 3 (cliche, I know)

Dvorak, Symphony No. 9, Movement 2 and 4

Dvorak, Piano Trio in G, Movement 1

Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto in Bb minor!

Rachmaninov, Symphony No. 2, Movement 1

Ravel - Chansons Madecasses (I think it was that one)

Holst - Jupiter (of course..)

Bruch - Violin Concerto in G minor, Movements 1, 2 and 3

Bruch, Concerto in C minor, Movement 1

Bruch, Symphony No. 3 in Eb major (or E...), Movements 3 and 4

Vaughn-Williams, English Folk Song Suite, Movement 2 (not really his.. but whatever)

AND I think that's it for now.

My list of GREAT MELODIES:

Mozart, Symphony No. 40, Movement 1 - Everyone knows this one.

:angry: I hate that melody so loving much.

the fugue subject from Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. :x

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