Inspiring classical music
 

I'm looking for some inspiring classical pieces such as Verdi's Requiem Mass Dies and the scores from Rocky. I've listened to the Classical Thunder album in the pasts. It's sort of what I'm looking for, but I'd prefer pieces that have a modern twist to them ala the Rocky series and the LOTR trilogy battle scenes.

The scores from Rocky? Really?

If you like the big balsy stuff, check out Wagner, Copland, Dvorak, Greig, Holst, Khachaturian, Prokofiev, Rachmaninov, Respighi, and Stravinsky, to start.

Then you should look into movie soundtracks then, especially by the same composers. I think the composer for LOTR was Howard Shore? Just look up his works.

The Planets by Gustav Holst.

Symphony 5 of Dmitri Shostakovich.

The Rite of Spring, and The Firebird by Igor Stravinsky.

Get a Richard Wagner highlights disc, make sure it includes Ride of the Walkries, Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla, and the Prelude to the 3rd Act of Lohengrin.

Symphonies 5, 7, 9 of Beethoven.

Symphony 5 of Gustav Mahler.

This is all basic, clicheed stuff, but you have to start somewhere. I'm confidant that you'll like what I mentioned above. I can suggest loads more if you like - just send a PM.

EDIT: Also check out classical soundtrack album compilations. The Boston Pops Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra both put some out. You'll probably enjoy anything by John Williams (he is definitely everything he is cracked up to be!) and Danny Elfman. LOTR was Howard Shore, but I don't know his other work off the top of my head.

What he said, plus Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, "From the New World" - particularly the fourth movement. Also, if you like the Dies Irae from Verdi's requiem, you'll probably also enjoy the Dies Irae from Mozart's.

Yes, yes and YES!!!
I would also throw his 3rd symphony into that list.

This last season, the Phoenix symphony performed Beethoven symphonies 3, 5 & 7. Damn those were good performances.

I second willravel's suggestion of Edvard Grieg. You can't go wrong with the Peer Gynt Suite.

Whenever someone mentions classical music, I like to chime in with the following few recommendations:

William Orbit - Pieces In A Modern Style
Aria - Aria
Aria - New Horizon

The first is an interesting interpretation of some classical pieces in an electronic style. If you've heard any of William Orbit's solo work before, you know what to expect here.

The second two are electronic interpretations of opera arias. Not sure if people classify that as "classical", but I do. :)

The Aria series of albums is quite fun (there are actually 3). Definitely some interesting interpretations. In fact, I think I know what song I'm going to feature next week.