What is the most unsettling or disturbing orchestral (or mostly orchestral) piece that you have heard?

favrion@beehaw.org to Music@beehaw.org – 18 points –
7

Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima

A warning to those who experience frisson or have high empathy experiences when listening to music - this is uncomfortable. There is a beauty to it, one that is drawn from the very dissonance and frenetic energy in it, but it's a piece that is meant to make you grapple with discomfort.

I had not heard this one before, though I have looked into atonal music one time in the past. This is certainly the most unsettling piece I have ever heard and it is amazing. Thank you for sharing the link.

I had this discussion with a class the other day. It doesn't answer your question really, but the Requiem for a Dream soundtrack is rather unsettling if you've seen the film.

So many cool suggestions in the comments, I have to add a mention of Ennio Morrricone's soundtrack to "The Thing".

On a personal note, Shnitke's Concerto Grosso #1 always sounded like a manic bad dream to me.