SYMPHONY OF SOUND
Listening Guide
CURATED AND WRITTEN BY J.
A. J. SEDARSKI
TRACK LIST
1. Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio - Moderato by Edward Elgar
2. Symphony No. 3, Op. 36: I. Lento –Sostenuto Tranquillo Ma Cantabile by Henryk Górecki
3. Symphony No. 3, Op. 36: II. Lento e Largo – Tranquillissimo by Henryk Górecki
4. Symphony No. 3, Op. 36: III. Lento –Cantabile Semplice by Henryk Górecki
5. Spring 1 - 2012 by Max Richter
6. Winter 1 - 2012 by Max Richter
7. Spring 2 - 2012 by Max Richter
8. Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: I. Prelude. Sonnenaufgang by Richard Strauss
9. Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 78 “Organ Symphony”: IIb. Maestoso –Allegro by Camille Saint-Saëns
10. Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95, B. 178 “From the New World”: IV. Allegro con fuoco by Antonín Dvorák
11. Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto by Ludwig van Beethoven
12. Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125: ‘Ode to Joy’ by Ludwig van Beethoven
13. Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio by Ludwig van Beethoven
14. The Planets, Op. 32: IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity by Gustav Holst
15. Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36 “Enigma”: Variation IX. Adagio “Nimrod” by Edward Elgar
16. Symphony No. 5: IV. Adagietto. Sehr langsam by Gustav Mahler
17. Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 by Samuel Barber
18. Symphony No. 2 in C Minor “Resurrection” / 5th Movement: Mit Aufschwung, aber nicht eilen (Duet: “O Schmerz”) by Gustav Mahler
19. Symphony No. 2 in C Minor “Resurrection” / 5th Movement: Pesante by Gustav Mahler
20. Dark with Excessive Bright: Concerto for Contrabass and String Orchestra by Missy Mazzoli
21. October by Eric Whitacre
22. Keyboard Suite No. 4 in D Minor, HWV 437: III. Sarabande by George Frideric Handel (arr. Hale)
23. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation No. 18 Andante cantabile by Sergei Rachmaninoff
24. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 “Emperor”: II. Adagio un poco moto by Ludwig van Beethoven
TRACK LIST
25. Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K. 488: II. Adagio by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
26. Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams
27. Tristan und Isolde, Act III: Liebestod (Concert Version) by Richard Wagner
28. Gabriel’s Oboe by Ennio Morricone
29. Theme from Schindler’s List by John Williams
30. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: I. by Johann Sebastian Bach
SOUNDS LARGER THAN LIFE
The great composer Gustav Mahler once said, “A symphony must be like the world. It must embrace everything.” Every piece on this playlist was chosen with that spirit in mind. But not every musical world is the same — some composers unfold their ideas with delicate subtlety, while others unleash them with dramatic power. I hope this diverse selection lets you savor both the grandest moments and the quietest details the world has to offer.
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Moments to Savor
2-4. Symphony No. 3
It was impossible for me to leave just one movement of this remarkable symphony from Górecki out from this playlist. The subtle changes of color through instrumentation to the exciting first notes of the Soprano in the first movement this gut wrenching piece leaves it all on the table.
12. Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125: ‘Ode to Joy’
How can I make a playlist without Beethoven Symphony No. 9? It's as powerful as it's timeless with an melody that's lasted centuries.
20. Dark with Excessive Bright
This piece is a masterclass on many levels. From its evolving textures to the way the bass unveils intimate moments and ignites bursts of passionate energy, Missy Mazzoli proves herself a true master of string writing.
Reflect As You Listen
• Which piece felt completely new or revealed something you didn’t expect?
• Did any piece spark a memory, a feeling, or an image from your own life?
• What pieces live in your ear long after you've finished listening?
After Listening
I think Mahler was on to something when he said symphonies should contain the world. See if you feel a part of your world reflected in the music in this playlist or if you find yourself lost in an entirely new world.
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ABOUT J. A. J. SEDARSKI
“Showing a deeper understanding of harmony” (Boston Musical Intelligencer) J. A. J. Sedarski is a Mexican-American composer whose music blends bold, dramatic gestures with moments of striking intimacy. Drawing inspiration from his Mexican heritage, real-life events, and the natural world, his work resonates with personal depth and expressive range. His works have been performed by ensembles such as the MIVOS Qua tet, Argento Reading Ensemble, Juventas New Music Ensemble, and the Boston University Symphony Orchestra.