Jon G. Deacon wrote:

>Has anyone any other instances of opening passages which really
>"wind them up"?

Being in a positive frame of mind but as contrary as ever, I'd rather think
about great opening passages:

Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg - You can't find heroic music
better than this (Karajan/EMI).

Bach's St. Matthew Passion - Great drama and anticipation(Herreweghe).

Beethoven's Opus 5 Cello sonatas - I just love listening to this music
unfold (Coin/Cohen/Harmonia Mundi).

Handel's Ottone - Best Handel overture (King/Hyperion).

Mozart's Great Mass & Requiem - Really sets the stage for what follows
(Mass-Leppard/EMI) (Requiem-Bohm/DG).

Don Satz
[log in to unmask]