Music That Builds Anticipation

April 24, 2010 11:47 AM

Music That Builds Anticipation? Good Anticipation, Not Scary.

I am looking for music, preferable ones without words, that builds anticipation in a positive way. For example, an electronic song whose beat builds slowly over the first two minute. I am particularly interested in music that could inspire people to take action.

Sorry I cannot be more descriptive, I am music illiterate.

posted by Spurious to Media & Arts (32 answers total)

Con Te Partiro fits that description. There are electronic versions of it as well (I think it was in Kingdom Hearts).
posted by amicamentis at 11:49 AM on April 24, 2010

Also sprach Zarathustra

Whistle Theme

posted by oxit at 11:54 AM on April 24, 2010

Response by poster: Yes! Exactly!

Any more?
posted by Spurious at 11:54 AM on April 24, 2010

The Killers, Why Do I Keep Counting.
posted by amicamentis at 11:58 AM on April 24, 2010

The soundtrack to Rocky gives me that sense, especially Going the Distance, but also Gonna Fly Now.
posted by sigmagalator at 12:02 PM on April 24, 2010

O Fortuna is one of the obvious ones.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 12:04 PM on April 24, 2010

Fanfare for the Common Man
posted by Leon at 12:05 PM on April 24, 2010

If I'm thinking "anticipation" the same way you are, lots of John Adams's (who is neither of the presidents) music seems to fit the bill. Try his Common Tones in Simple Time, Harmonielehre, and Harmonium, just to get started. Admittedly, these periods of anticipation build over several minutes rather than seconds, but it really builds.
posted by lizjohn at 12:11 PM on April 24, 2010

Tears For Fears' "Break It Down Again doesn't build as much as you might like, but could maybe work.
posted by knile at 12:12 PM on April 24, 2010

Kind of a classic example of this is Ravel's "Bolero". :)
posted by Spyder's Game at 12:21 PM on April 24, 2010 [2 favorites]

The first two minutes of Incubus's "The 4th Movement of The Odyssey" fits the bill, albeit in a pretty intense way.
posted by Rhaomi at 12:21 PM on April 24, 2010

Would also suggest "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" by Adams.
posted by tss at 12:34 PM on April 24, 2010

Quarto movemiento of Karl Husa's "Music for Prague 1968"... scary at first, but ungodly triumphant at the end. Zombie-killin' music.

Seconding Fanfare for the Common Man... only good thing Copeland ever did, but holy crap is it awesome.
posted by WidgetAlley at 12:46 PM on April 24, 2010

Sigur Ros -- Hoppipolla. I think it fits the bill perfectly. There are words, but they are Icelandic or Hopelandic (gibberish), so keep that in mind!
posted by makethemost at 12:46 PM on April 24, 2010

Anthem by Philip Glass

The end titles for the movie Apollo 13

Now We Are Free from the movie Gladiator
posted by zueod at 1:18 PM on April 24, 2010

Also, and as much by way of caution as recommendation, Lux Aeterna.

It's been used quite frequently as the go-to for the"Things are dire --what can save us now?" Witness the plethora of YouTube mixes that pair it with all manner of movies. The link provided pairs it with Lord of the Rings.

Thought it worth mentioning.
posted by zueod at 1:47 PM on April 24, 2010

Band of Horses - The Funeral
posted by mpls2 at 2:22 PM on April 24, 2010

"Gathering Storm / 'Welcome To Barco Am/Pm...' / Cancer Towers On Holy Road Hi-Way" from Godspeed You! Black Emperor's "Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven."
posted by Hey Dean Yeager! at 2:29 PM on April 24, 2010

Zadok the Priest
Mogwai Fear Satan (and any number of other post-rock songs)
posted by Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam at 2:29 PM on April 24, 2010

Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who starts loud and gets louder and builds towards Daltrey's scream.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 3:03 PM on April 24, 2010

Oops, sorry, I missed the part about no words.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 3:05 PM on April 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

explosions in the sky
posted by changeling at 3:34 PM on April 24, 2010

Mussorgski's Pictures At An Exhibition--Promenade

Smetana--Ma Vlast
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 3:46 PM on April 24, 2010

Composed Phish.

A good YEM, perhaps.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:35 PM on April 24, 2010

whoops, sorry. here's a good'n
posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:38 PM on April 24, 2010

this is embarrassing. You Enjoy Myself, 4/20/94
posted by solipsophistocracy at 6:42 PM on April 24, 2010

Fahrenheit 451 from the Backdraft soundtrack is what they played on the original Iron Chef during the plating and presentation segment. "Iron Chef Chen Kenichi has prepared four dishes! First, the duck with magic sauce..."
posted by ignignokt at 7:29 PM on April 24, 2010 [1 favorite]

The Choral quarter of Beethoven's 9th symphony.
It's cliché, but I don't care!
David Bowie's "Helden".
posted by lhude sing cuccu at 9:09 PM on April 24, 2010

Raymond Scott's "Powerhouse." :D
posted by ifjuly at 7:33 AM on April 25, 2010

Weezer's "Only In Dreams" has a terrific buildup.
posted by AAAAAThatsFiveAs at 11:06 AM on April 25, 2010

Maybe Mark Isham - On the Threshold of Liberty? (When I was a kid, I always listened to it and imagined people peering through the fog and waiting for a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, and they see her - the horn rings out! But I was a hopeless romantic.)
posted by Addlepated at 12:01 PM on April 25, 2010

Atlas by Battles
posted by schmod at 2:29 PM on April 25, 2010