Name any classical composition that you think is particularly fun, light or joyful?
This can be any instrumental (solo or ensemble) or any vocal (solo or ensemble) but stick to actual classical music and leave out film or video soundtracks and new age pop--though modern, living composers are certainly okay. I'm asking because of all those requests for "sad, dark, creepy, goth" music.
For example, this is fun (ironically from an operetta concerning death and the underworld)-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT24krt30gE&feature=related
Beethoven 8th symphony Mozart A Little Night Music Haydn the Surprise Symphony, The Seasons Oratorio which uses some of the themes of the surprise symphony Vivaldi mandolin concerto Prokofiev Classical Symphony, Peter and the Wolf
How about a bit of Shostakovich? Specifically, the last movement from his first piano concerto. Here's a performance of that movement with the composer's son as a conductor and his grandson (!) as soloist.
There's also a recording of the composer himself playing the piece, which you can buy at http://www.amazon.com/Shostakovich-Concertos-Fantastic-Preludes-Fugues/dp/B000THIJIY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1311839689&sr=8-2
In his younger days Shostakovich supported himself by working as a piano player in movie houses in the days of silent film, and over the years he composed dozens of film scores. Although this concerto was never film music, to me it has the feel of some of those slapstick comedy shorts about it. For example, the theme at 1:45 or the ending from 5:45 onwards.
Um a lot of Ravel's pieces are very...bubbly or tinkly haha I guess. Like valses nobles et sentimentales. I like the first movement. Also his le tombeau de couperin.
Or Danse Macabre. (Saint-Saens lol)
I love Ravel....
@ Anna Fransson: Thank you so much. Wow I am so embarrassed. I can't believe I made that mistake. Hahaha Thank you :)