I am looking into putting together a soundtrack for a short film and would like to use classical music.

I quite like the sound of classical music but know pretty much nothing about it. What I`m looking for is a piece, or several, that build up to a dramatic climax. Ok, that`s really vague, so hopefully you can give me lots of suggestions! I`m willing to listen to anything here, so something that would match a suspenseful climactic ending would be great.

Thanks for any help.

Well, If you`re looking for a kinda Egyptian flare happy ending, the last minute of the last mvt(5th I believe) of Respighi`s Belkis: Regina di Saba suite is great and very movie-sounding. Hope this helps.

When thinking about classical music that is story like with highs and lows, the best on I can think of is the entire 20 minute orchestral piece of Stravinsky`s Firebird Suite.

This is excellent for movies.

The last few minutes of the last mvt. in Respighi`s: Pines of Rome has an excellent climax. Very powerful and majestic. It is essentially all brass and would fit well depending upon the movie.

Oh so much to choose from. Try Shostakovich symphonies, finales of 10, 11, 12, Bruckner Symphony no.8, Mahler 2nd. These all employ huge orchestras with massive percussion parts for real drama.