Earquake
The Loudest Classical Music of All Time
Various composers · Re-issue, originally released in 1997
Track listing
16 tracks · 59:00Listen to samples on selected tracks.
Howard Hanson
- 1 Hanson's 6th, from Symphony No. 6, 6th movement, Allegro 1:55
Ture Rangström
- 2 Invocatio, from Symphony No. 4, 2nd movement 2:58
Aram Khachaturian
- 3 Mountaineers from Gayaneh 1:54
Sergei Prokofiev
- 4 Ala et Lolly from Scythian Suite 2:22
Jacob Druckman
- 5 Prism, excerpt from After Cavalli 2:49
Silvestre Revualtas
- 6 Night of the Mayas, 4th variation and finale from Night of Enchantment 3:47
Carl Nielsen
- 7 Aladdin, from Aladdin Suite, Negro Dance 4:26
Alberto Ginastera
- 8 Malambo from Ballet Suite Estancia 3:45
Erwin Schulhoff
- 9 Weapon Dance from Ogelala 4:17
Leif Segerstam
- 10 Nostalgic Thoughts from Nostalgic Thoughts in KAAMOStime 2:20
William Bolcom
- 11 Machine from SYmphony No. 5, 4th movement 3:42
Jacques Ibert
- 12 Bacchanale, excerpt from Bacchanale 3:22
Ottorino Respighi
- 13 War Dance from Belkis, Queen of Sheba 2:44
Dmitri Shostakovich
- 14 Can-Can from Golden Age 6:21
Einojuhani Rautavaara
- 15 Angel of Light, Symphony No. 7, excerpt from 3rd movement, Come un sogno 3:00
Jón Leifs
- 16 Hekla 9:18
About this recording
This disc brings together some of the loudest, most exciting music ever written – neither music, nor your hearing, will ever be the same! An explosive collection of great tunes, driving rhythms, and sonic thrills.
The music has been arranged for continuous listening. With that in mind, three quiet “valleys” have been programmed to provide contrast with the very loud music that follows them. You may find that the contrast actually adds to the excitement.
The final track, Hekla (by Jón Leifs), is probably the loudest single piece of music ever written. It describes, in very graphic terms, the eruption of Hekla, Iceland’s largest active volcano. The 140 piece Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra under Leif Segerstam includes, among others, a 22-person percussion section, four sets of rocks hit with hammers, two heavy metal chains, anvils, steel plates, sirens, and several dozen cannon shots.
Features
Notes in English and German
The artists
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the first professional symphony orchestra to be founded in the Nordic countries (1882), has grown from a band of 36 players to an orchestra of 102 regular members.
Leif Segerstam
Leif Segerstam (1944-2024) received diplomas from the Sibelius Academy in violin and conducting. He won the Maj Lind Piano Competition in 1962 and gave his first violin recital in 1963. He rounded off his studies at the Juilliard School in New York, where he was awarded a conducting diploma in 1964.