[Orchestra] Introducing famous and popular pieces
Among classical music, the orchestra is the most opulent and offers the widest range of expression.
When a variety of instruments, each infused with the performer’s own sensibility, come together to create a single piece of music, it produces a unique allure found nowhere else.
In this article, we’ve picked out famous and popular orchestral pieces.
Even within orchestral music, there are many genres—from symphonies and concertos to operas.
We’re introducing everything from pieces everyone has heard to works well-known among classical enthusiasts, so be sure to check them out.
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[Orchestra] Introducing Famous and Popular Pieces (71–80)
Invitation to the DanceCarl Maria von Weber
A piano piece composed by the German composer Weber.
As the title suggests, it depicts a gentleman inviting a lady to dance.
In the introduction and opening section, a sequence of exchanges at the ballroom is portrayed: the left hand represents the gentleman’s invitation, while the right hand expresses the lady’s responses.
His first invitation is declined, but the gentleman persists, and gradually a conversation develops.
Once they have warmed to each other and grown closer, the gentleman asks her to dance again—third time’s the charm.
The lady accepts, and the two disappear into the whirl of the ball, a progression rendered beautifully in the music.
Symphony No. 4 “Italian”Felix Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn began composing this piece during his travels in Italy from the autumn of 1830 to the spring of 1831.
He is often called a “painter in sound,” and the opening music has a grandeur that feels as if a sun‑drenched landscape is unfolding before your eyes.
He also incorporated the saltarello, an Italian dance that was popular in the 15th century, to evoke the spirit of Italy.
Rhapsody on a Theme of PaganiniSergei Vasil’evich Rachmaninov
This is a work by Sergei Rachmaninoff, a composer who represents Russia, and one of the few pieces he composed after emigrating to the United States.
It is said to strongly reflect Rachmaninoff’s homesickness after being forced to leave his country due to the Russian Revolution.
The title was given following the suggestion: “Why not use the legend of Niccolò Paganini—rumored to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for transcendental virtuosity—as the storyline?” Of the 24 variations, the 18th is particularly famous and is often used in film soundtracks.
Ranging from calm and sweet variations to intense and weighty ones, it is a piece that lets you enjoy a wide variety of moods.
[Orchestra] Introducing Famous and Popular Pieces (81–90)
Symphonic Poem “La Mer” — From Three Symphonic Sketches, II. “Play of the Waves”Claude Debussy
An orchestral piece composed by Claude Debussy, it feels like a scene cut from the sea.
The lightly bouncing melodies woven by the strings and woodwinds vividly evoke sunlit, glittering waves and the playful motion of the surf.
Simply listening makes you feel as if a cool sea breeze were brushing your cheeks.
The cover of the first edition featured a ukiyo-e print by Katsushika Hokusai.
While its 1905 premiere received mixed reactions, a 1908 performance conducted by the composer himself earned high acclaim.
The sonorities of this work are said to have influenced later pieces, including the film Jaws.
It is recommended for those seeking a refreshing experience in the hot season or anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a richly colored world of sound.
Symphony No. 5 “Revolution,” Fourth MovementDmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich
A masterpiece that combines power and grandeur, this work dynamically conveys the appeal of Dmitri Shostakovich’s symphony.
The orchestra’s commanding performance instantly elevates the atmosphere of a gymnasium, creating excitement befitting a tense competition.
At its premiere in Leningrad in November 1937, Yevgeny Mravinsky and the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra achieved great success with their performance.
Featuring march-like phrases and a forceful rhythm, this piece is an ideal BGM to lift the spirits of all participants and lead them onto a grand stage.
Used for the main events of a sports day or for entrances and exits, it will foster a strong sense of unity throughout the venue.
Symphonic Poem ‘The Sea’ — From Three Symphonic Sketches, I. From Dawn to Noon on the SeaClaude Debussy
A movement from Claude Debussy’s orchestral work that heralds the beginning of the day, evoking a scene of the glittering sea.
This piece paints, almost like a painting, the ocean’s transformation from the faint light of dawn to the dazzling midday sun, using the orchestra’s rich palette of colors.
Its delicate layers of sound leave listeners feeling cool and serene.
Though its first performance in October 1905 elicited a range of reactions, today it is cherished by many as one of Debussy’s masterpieces.
It’s a must-hear for anyone seeking refreshing music on a summer day or wishing to immerse themselves in beautiful melodies that spark the imagination.
Quiet lagoonEric Coates
How about a waltz-serenade that makes you want to listen on a leisurely summer evening? Composed by Eric Coates in 1930, this piece is said to have been inspired by the gentle seaside scenery of Sussex and townscapes dyed by the sunset.
The violin’s sweet melody will resonate pleasantly, like a gentle breeze drifting over a calm, twilight sea.
Lyrics were added in 1940, and it became a beloved standard for many.
It has long been familiar as the theme of a popular, long-running BBC radio program, and may evoke a certain nostalgia.
It’s the perfect piece for those moments when you want to forget the bustle of everyday life and sink into a tranquil mood.
Put it on, and spend some unhurried time while you listen.