Ludwig van Beethoven's Choral Fantasy is another of my favorites [1]. This is music that brings one a bit closer to Heaven. It is an orchestral piece rarely performed, perhaps because of its relatively short duration, about 19 minutes, requiring a full orchestra, a pianist, soloists and a chorus, a composition that ranks in my opinion equal to the composer's famous Symphony No. 9, 'Choral' (as long as 79 minutes [2]), his 5th Piano Concerto (approximately 40 minutes [3]), 'Emperor' and his Missa Solemnis (80 minutes [4]).
A number of performances of the Choral Fantasy can be heard on Youtube, including a lousy interpretation by Lang Lang. The best performance belongs to Evgeny Kissin and the Berliner Philharmoniker, the soloists and the chorus, Claudio Abbado, conductor. [5] Take a listen with eyes closed and see how much closer Heaven is.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRKi4Tm0Ukg
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._9_%28Beethoven%29
[3] http://www.sfsymphony.org/Watch-Listen-Learn/Read-Program-Notes/Program-Notes/BEETHOVEN-Concerto-No-5-in-E-flat-major-for-Piano.aspx
[4] http://www.lvbeethoven.com/Cedes/TheCds_Voice_Choir_MissaSolemnis.html
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRKi4Tm0Ukg
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