Did you ever notice that some of the greatest composers just composed tunes rather than put their emotion into music? (pretty much the whole Baroque period) Even in the romantic period some were just tunes. So, I want to know, what are the most emotional or atmospheric pieces you`ve heard for piano or orchestra? There are many pieces that can sort of summon up a feeling, but few can really alter your mood to its feeling just by listening to it. It doesn`t only have to be sad either, it can be energetic, uplifting, unnerving, or I`ll start it off with one from each category:

Emotional: Rach 2, Chopin Prelude No4 (Maybe), Thanksgiving (The most calming, relaxing music I have ever heard. period.)

Atmospheric: Night on Bald Mountain, Prelude in C#-Minor, "Despair" the third of Prokofiev`s 4 piano pieces set, and the Etude Op25 No12 by Chopin

So, let me know what you think of my choices and add many of your own!

The most sentimental pc for me is Rach`s Vocalise, but I prefer the violin version. And I adore Bach`s Double Violin Concerto in D minor, 2nd movement, as well as his Brandenburg Concerto 2, Andante. I think Baroque music is actually alot more emotional than Romantic pieces, but it`s actually of a different `package`. They`re emotions within a tightly integrated structure, so they feel more contained but at the same time more intense. This intensity, unlike Romantic pieces, will not accumulate to a bubbling point and escalated outburst. But becaz of the restrained notes contour, it tends to `speak` more to the oblivious listener, and is more intimate. And much of the music in the slower movements are just `heavenly`. Take for instance : Vivaldi`s Concerto in A minor, 2nd movement.
Actually, alot of sentimental music that speaks to the listener( even in Romantic period ) tends to be rather restrained in notes contour. It will linger around the main theme ( normally constructed upon steps or simple outlines ), which can be quite mallismatic at times...much to the likes of a human speaker.

Most atmospheric music for me is Rach`s Prelude in C# minor. I love the music from lord of the rings also, esp. Billy Bloyd`s part ( very Gregorian sounding ). I think Mussorgsky is quite atmospheric for me also...esp. his `evil` music in his Pictures at an exhibition... Very dark and twisted music. But my ultimate fav. has got to be Vaughan`s Williams`s Song Cycle ` On wenlock Edge`. The modal and Mallismatic treatment in folklore structure is really intriguing.

Reflets dans l`eau by Debussy....I love all of his Images pieces, but this is especially my favourite....really atmospheric and dreamy

try Brahms piano music. Intermezzi have atmosphere and emotion, and also the Gm rhapsody. Probably more of brahms that i don`t know about.

quoted:...Intermezzi have atmosphere and emotion...
Yeah, particularly his later music ( towards op 120, his `retired` period )... that really have the feel of space, more deapth yet at the same time more pastoral.

Chopins raindrop prelude is one of the most emotional pieces ive heard, it really makes you think. I recently heard an excerpt from liszts Réminiscences du Don Juan de Mozart by chinese pianist Lang Lang: www.deutschegrammophon.com/special/?ID=langlang-recital (its music clip 1 on the drop down menu at the right hand side of the page) This is such an energetic piece made even moreso by the pianists performance.