[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 (91–100)
Piano Concerto No. 21Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
In Japan, it was used in Kourakuen’s commercial “Yabai Chuka Soba Classic.” It’s perfect as background music for cooking.
Boiling the noodles, taking them out of the pot and rinsing them with water… then into the soup and plated in a bowl… It beautifully portrays the process of a dish coming together.
Even the act of picking up the noodles with chopsticks and slurping them looks artistic thanks to the power of this piece.
Symphony No. 104 “London”Franz Joseph Haydn
Symphony No.
104 “London” is the final symphony by Haydn, known as the father of the symphony.
The title “London” doesn’t carry any deep meaning; it is so called because the work was composed in London.
From the very beginning, the heavy, solemn atmosphere creates tension and powerfully draws in the listener.
Comprising four movements, the piece offers moments of majesty, refined and gentle melodies, and a brisk, lively minuet, ensuring it never grows tiresome to hear.
Symphony No. 39Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
A symphony without oboes—something considered rare in Mozart’s works.
At first, it draws close as if wrapping your heart.
Then it grows a little suspicious and pulls away.
The doubts clear, and it comes near again.
After that, the tones pour over your head like rain.
You know how some people are hard to pin down? This music brings such a person to mind.
ScheherazadeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
A mysterious masterpiece based on One Thousand and One Nights.
Packed with the allure of the orchestra, it features powerful melodies and beautifully moving themes played by the violins.
Another distinctive aspect is that each movement is given a story-like title, such as “The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship.”
Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished” in B minor, Movement I: Allegro moderatoFranz Schubert
Beginning with a mysterious low-string introduction, this masterpiece by Franz Schubert features a plaintive theme sung by oboe and clarinet that pierces the heart.
Composed starting in 1822 as a token of gratitude for an honorary diploma from the Graz Music Society, it has continued to captivate audiences with its profound emotion and distinctive structure.
Employing the uncommon key of B minor, its beautiful melodies, woven from exquisitely balanced orchestral sonorities, leave a deep impression on listeners.
It played a central role in the 1933 film “Unfinished Symphony” and has been used in the Japanese tokusatsu drama “Ultraman 80,” among other appearances, ensuring its allure lives on in many forms.
From quiet meditation to a grand climax, it is a recommended piece for music lovers who wish to savor a rich range of emotional expression.
Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished” in B minor, Movement II: Andante con motoFranz Schubert
Comprising only two movements, this work is distinguished by a majestic orchestral sonority that leaves a profound lyricism and serene afterglow.
Begun in 1822 as a token of gratitude to the Graz Music Society, its slow movement features a gentle theme ushered in by the soft timbres of horn and bassoon.
The melody—where sweet repose intertwines with solitary anguish—deeply moves the listener.
Since its Vienna premiere in December 1865, the piece has been cherished by many music lovers for its inward emotional expression, achieved through deft shifts in harmony and dialogues between instruments.
It is a recommended choice for those who wish to immerse themselves in a calm, meditative atmosphere or savor the richly expressive world of Romantic music.
Waltz of the FlowersPyotr Tchaikovsky
The pleasant melody woven by the graceful waltz rhythm evokes a sense of unhurried time.
Its triple meter and the delicate harmonies of strings and woodwinds create an exquisite balance that boosts concentration without causing stress.
Premiered in Saint Petersburg in December 1892, the piece has been featured widely in various media since its use in Disney’s Fantasia and is well loved as a calming work.
It’s recommended for times when you want to focus in a quiet setting—studying, reading, or desk work.
Why not spend an intellectually enriching, relaxing time with this piece that showcases Tchaikovsky’s masterful compositional technique?