Which short songs (less than 3 minutes long) do you adore? What do you like most about them?
>>> Please make sure to type the names of the artists and songs in case videos disappear! Thank you. ~ Me <<<
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I realized recently that while most of my preferred songs are under five minutes long, quite a few of my favorite songs of all time are actually less than three minutes in length.
For example, below are three of my favorite songs. I love the emotion and beauty packed into these short pieces, which I feel are like exquisitely cut gems: small but brilliant.
Chopin - Etude Op. 10, no. 1 ("Waterfall")
Ashkenazy - piano
I love the contrast between power and delicacy in this etude, which is my favorite by Chopin. I am impressed that Chopin manages to condense so much strength into a piece that is just over 2 minutes long.
Ashkenazy plays Chopin Etude op.10-1 - YouTube
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Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) - "The Wind"
Ahhh.
I love that Yusuf sings this song with such conviction and honesty, revealing so much of himself in it. The tune is sweet, gentle, rich. Yusuf manages to encompass his whole life in this brief, contemplative song, which always sounds to me as if it offers some answer to the big questions about existence. The song makes me like to pretend there is a god and a soul...and maybe even hope a little.
The Wind - Cat Stevens - YouTube
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Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 - Prelude
Rostropovich - cello
I love the energy, excitement, and simplicity of this short piece and especially the long rise to its climactic end. I also love the fact that a single instrument engages my interest so thoroughly, stirring my emotions without needing fancy bells, whistles, drums, guitars, or even chords until the one that is at the crest of the final crescendo.
Rostropovich plays the Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 - YouTube