Classical Music 101: Horror and Suspense

Popular classical music used in horror and suspense films. Thirty to sixty second clips of 12 popular classical selections.

Song List
1. "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565" by J.S. Bach.
Movies
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Fantasia
GremlinsII
Rollerball
Sour Grapes
2000 Leagues Under the Sea

2. Mozart's Requiem in D Minor, K626, Dies Irae
Movies
Amadeus
The Big Lebowski

3. Verdi's Requiem, Dies Irae
4. Carl Orff's "O Fortuna" in Carmina Burana.
Movies
The Doors
Excalibur
Natural Born Killers
5. Mussorgsky's Night on the Bald Mountain
Movies: Asylum
6. Grieg In the Hall of the Mountain King
Mood: Sneaking Around and Stalking

This well-known piece has seen extensive use in movies and commercials, usually in accordance with an ominous event. In the Hall of the Mountain King was famously used in the 1931 film M, in which Peter Lorre's character whistles it. The song also appears during the teaser trailer of Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Funny Games, Bride Wars and Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian. It is also played over the end credits of the Woody Allen film Scoop.
7. PROMETHEUS by Alexander Scriabin
8. LA MER (The Sea) by Claude Debussy, 'Dialogue du vent et de la mer' (Dialogue of the Wind and the Sea)
9. THE MIRACULOUS MANDARIN by Bela Bartok, perhaps one of the most truly terrifying works in the classical repertoire. With shrieking strings, extended trombone glissandi and a chilling wordless chorus.
10. 'Mars, the Bringer of War' from THE PLANETS by Gustav Holst
11. FESTE ROMANE (Roman Festivals) by Ottorino Respighi
12. Gnomus by Mussorgsky from Pictures at an Exhibition

Category:

Music

Tags:

• horror
• suspense
• classical
• music
• film
• score
• eerie
• dark

[Missymgish]

LOL! IDK if anyone remembers this game but 3:39 is in Earth Worm Jim!

[lolipopcon]

I found what I was looking for! Hall of the Mountain King! Many thanks.

[TheAssaultRecon]

@Missymgish OMG! I remember that! I kept thinking of what that was from! Thanks so much for posting that, cause i would have gone insaine from not knowing! XD

[Greniel11]

#2 was in jack jack attack

[Traffic343]

niiiice thank you i found just what i needed!

[Dreezah]

@Missymgish its from War of the Monsters on PS2 :D, I remember it.

[gluebubble]

THANK YOU so much for these clips. You don't know how many times I've heard classical pieces in movies but could never figure out what they were from. You have saved the day <3

[smoomo]

i was looking for that earthworm jim song.. want to learn it on guitar

[BobDole2isback]

@bubbaXzone

It was in Earth Worm Jim 1. It was called "What the Heck?" or something with Heck in it. You can still get that game for PC. Just need an Emulator for Super Nintendo games and the file for EarthvWorm Jim

[Katingaan]

I love this collection <3

[tygram321]

LOL yeah! it is!!

[Missymgish]

@bubbaXzone OMG! That song always gave me nightmares when i was little! That game really freaked me out until i played the game again recently. Now it just makes me laugh!