The eighteenth classical recording: #398 Anton Bruckner - Symphony no. 5
Happy birthday to me! Rather than going out to see a play or watch a movie, this list inspired me to suggest we go see a classical piece being performed. The Philharmonic Orchestra was playing this today, which made it a great opportunity to do this.
Part of what made this special was absolutely seeing it live, which worked amazing and made for a very special birthday treat. Seeing it being performed adds a lot, from the anticipation as the brass section gets ready to seeing the violinists sway with the music. It's not a feasible way to listen to everything, but it really helped set this piece apart.
Classical music tends to give you more time to reflect, and that did grab me further. Modern songs often have lyrics that are meant to explain what the song is about. There might not always be a story, but it will try to tell you things. Classical pieces have no such thing. While pieces like the Planets give clear indications, there's no story being told in a symphony. It makes it easier to just get pulled in (goosebumps included) and continue.
This symphony did this well. There are the elements that I remember reading or hearing about that apply - recurring motifs and key changes - but the effect it has was more interesting. The wind instruments answering each other in sections of the song were evocative, becoming characters themselves. It was bold in places, with some good use of silence, but mostly working well to create its climaxes. Really something to carry you away.