Kabalevsky Op. 27 no. 6 Sad Story
This is one of my favorites. The story is certainly sad, but also thrilling, with chromaticism and adventurous harmonies. When those low fifths kick in towards the end you know that you’re hearing a great composer at work. Notice how the clouds part at the very end as the story draws to a close with an F major chord. How’re your speakers? If you listen closely at the end, you’ll hear Shirley in the background saying “That piece is so depressing…” She didn’t realize that I was recording!