[Orchestra] Introducing famous and popular pieces

Brandenburg Concerto No. 3J.S.Bach

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 BWV 1048 / J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048

This is a signature work by Bach, one of the foremost musicians of 18th-century Germany, notable for its brilliant string timbres and rich expressiveness.

The joyous melodies woven by three groups of strings are perfect for a refreshing study break.

Its intricate counterpoint and lush harmonies are pleasing to the ear and help enhance concentration.

Presented in March 1721 to the Margrave of Brandenburg, this piece—scored solely for strings—conveys a noble, almost celestial quality.

Recommended as a quiet companion for long hours of study or reading, when you want to calm and center the mind.

Water MusicHenderu

Handel: Suite “Water Music”

A work in which majestic and resplendent orchestral melodies resound with beauty.

Composed by Handel for a boating party on the River Thames in July 1717, this piece musically depicts the gentle flow of the river.

The rich sonorities woven by a variety of instruments—such as horns, oboes, and strings—create an elegant, soothing atmosphere, like light shimmering on the water’s surface.

Even today, its universal appeal is evident in its use as the theme music for NHK-FM’s “Enjoying Early Music” and as the departure melody at Kyoto Station.

It is a recommended piece for tasks or study that require concentration, or whenever you wish to quietly calm your mind.

RequiemWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart Requiem High-Quality Audio

This piece is the one Mozart continued composing right up until the very brink of his death.

Because he died while working on it, the remaining sections were written and completed by his pupil Franz Xaver Süssmayr.

In 1791, he was commissioned by an unknown man to compose a Requiem in exchange for a large fee, and Mozart wrote in a letter that, when he received this commission, he thought, “This piece is my own Requiem.”

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Dies Irae from RequiemGiuseppe Verdi

“Dies Irae” from Requiem / Verdi

A Requiem is a Mass for the dead (a funeral mass).

Verdi composed it to mourn Alessandro Manzoni, the Italian literary giant whom he deeply admired.

Its original title is “Requiem to Commemorate the Anniversary of the Death of Manzoni.” The powerful low-register resonance of the chorus of over one hundred singers is truly overwhelming.

Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter”Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 “Jupiter” — Walter

It’s Mozart’s final symphony.

It’s nicknamed “Jupiter,” but that’s only a popular moniker, not the official title.

Jupiter is the chief god in Roman mythology.

This piece truly embodies his proud and majestic image.

Mythological gods are, at their core, outrageous and hyper-emotional—essentially very human.

While it’s a dynamic symphony, as you listen more closely, you can also sense Jupiter’s stubborn old-man side.

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The Syncopated ClockLeroy Anderson

February 15, 2009, National Music Academy Orchestra, Conductor: Takashi Iiyoshi, “The Syncopated Clock”

Syncopation refers to deliberately shifting the beat, accents, and rhythm to create groove and dynamic contrast.

The Syncopated Clock employs this technique, and its subtle offbeat placement is so masterful that the piece becomes unforgettable after just one listen.

Symphony in D minorCésar Franck

Franck: Sinfonie d-Moll ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Marc Minkowski

Franck was a composer active in France, but he was actually born in Belgium.

This piece consists of three movements.

The first movement has a rather dark feeling right from the opening.

It begins with a dark, heavy mood, yet it gives the impression of rising upward.