Even when they hear “ballet music,” many people who haven’t experienced ballet may find it hard to picture what the pieces sound like.
So this time, we’ve selected a collection of famous ballet music for those very people.
From classic masterpieces everyone knows to relatively recent works, we’ve curated a wide range.
Because many of the pieces will sound familiar, we think even those not well-versed in classical music or ballet can enjoy them.
Now, please take your time and immerse yourself in the beautiful world of ballet music!
- [Orchestra] Introducing famous and popular pieces
- Masterpieces of Ballet Music: Introducing Classic Favorites
- Masterpieces of the bolero. Recommended popular pieces in bolero form and outstanding performances.
- [Violin] A curated selection of beloved classic masterpieces and popular pieces that continue to be cherished across eras
- [Masterpiece Classics] A special showcase of gem-like masterpieces so beautiful they’ll move you to tears
- Cool classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- [Tchaikovsky] Pick up famous and representative pieces!
- Timelessly beautiful classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- Popular classical piano pieces. A collection of masterful performances by Japanese pianists.
- Classical Masterpieces: Recommended Works You Should Hear at Least Once
- Classic masterpieces recommended for women
- Disney classics to enjoy in a classical arrangement: recommended popular songs
- Sweet, gentle tones and resonance: A selection of enchanting classical guitar masterpieces
Masterpieces of Ballet Music: Introducing Classic Standards (1–10)
The Rite of SpringIgor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky’s masterpiece The Rite of Spring—known in Japan under the title “Haru no Saiten”—is one of the most highly acclaimed works of 20th-century modern music and is also renowned as a landmark of ballet music.
Though a staple of the ballet repertoire, the piece itself is strikingly unconventional, featuring frequent use of polyphony and dissonance.
It is highly recommended for those who want to explore contemporary ballet music.
The Nutcracker “March”NEW!Pyotr Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker, a ballet score loved around the world as a winter classic.
Composed by Tchaikovsky and premiered as a suite in March 1892, it captivates with lively melodies that almost everyone has heard at least once.
Its charming rhythms, as if toys were merrily springing to life, brighten listeners’ hearts.
The orderly sense of tempo and the brilliant orchestral colors also make it an excellent match as background music when you want to focus on studying or work.
Try choosing it when you want to keep your tasks moving along rhythmically.
The Sleeping BeautyPyotr Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Tchaikovsky, most famous as a renowned composer of ballet music, is widely known in Japan as well, since he appears in school music textbooks.
He produced a number of ballet scores, many of which have remained beloved as standard repertoire to this day.
Among his works, one of the most famous is The Sleeping Beauty.
Known in Japan by the title “Nemureru Mori no Bijo,” it is counted—along with Swan Lake and The Nutcracker—among the three great classical ballets.
Swan LakePyotr Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, Swan Lake.
In Japan, it’s known by the title “Hakuchō no Mizūmi” (Swan Lake).
It’s probably the most famous ballet music in the world, isn’t it? This was Tchaikovsky’s first ballet score, and it premiered in 1877.
In fact, the work wasn’t highly regarded in the ballet world at the time, but later, through major revisions by choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, it became a production that attracted worldwide attention.
TannhäuserRichard Wagner
Richard Wagner was one of the most active and influential musicians in 19th-century Germany.
A composer renowned for his Romantic operas, he was also known as the “King of Music Drama.” One of Wagner’s best-known works as ballet music is Tannhäuser.
In Japan, it is known under the title “Tanhoiser,” and it has become a beloved standard in today’s ballet repertoire.
Although the piece is widely appreciated now, it was reportedly received very poorly at the time of its premiere.
Over time, however, it gradually attained its current standard status through revisions to the choreography.
FaustCharles Gounod
Charles Gounod, a great composer who even provided the national anthem for Vatican City.
A French-born musician known as the “father of modern French art song,” he was one of the figures who had a major impact on the French music world.
When it comes to Charles Gounod’s ballet music, many people may picture Faust.
Because it is sung in German, it is the most beloved as ballet music in Germany; however, as an opera it is sung in French, making it most popular in France.
The Red ShoesBrian Easdale
The film known in Japan as “Akai Kutsu,” The Red Shoes, is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale published in the 1940s.
Its music is also highly memorable: Brian Easdale’s composition achieves an authentic sound that rivals the finest works of the classical canon.
If you’re interested, a remastered edition has been released, so be sure to check out the film as well.