[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.
- Cool classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- [Masterpiece Classics] A special showcase of gem-like masterpieces so beautiful they’ll move you to tears
- Classical Masterpieces: Recommended Works You Should Hear at Least Once
- Classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- Timelessly beautiful classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- Rachmaninoff’s masterpieces. Recommended pieces by Rachmaninoff.
- Masterpieces of Ballet Music: Introducing Classic Favorites
- Dvořák’s masterpiece. Popular classical music.
- [Quartet] Masterpieces and Popular Pieces for String Quartet
- Sibelius’s famous piece. Popular classical music.
- [Violin] A curated selection of beloved classic masterpieces and popular pieces that continue to be cherished across eras
- Mendelssohn’s Masterpieces | Popular Classical Music
- A poignant classic masterpiece. Recommended classical music.
[Orchestra] Introducing Famous and Popular Pieces (41–50)
Overture to the opera “William Tell”Gioachino Rossini
The title “William Tell” is the name of a medieval Swiss hero.
Though a legendary figure, he is popular among the Swiss.
A well-known episode tells how he fearlessly confronted an arrogant ruler without flinching.
In that story, Tell’s actions are said to have brought independence to an occupied Switzerland.
This piece vividly portrays Tell’s strength and bravery.
‘Polovtsian Dances’ from the opera Prince IgorAlexander Borodin
This piece is from Act II of the opera Prince Igor, written by the Russian composer Borodin and based on the Russian epic The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.
It depicts the lavish songs and dances at a banquet hosted by the enemy commander Khan Konchak to entertain Prince Igor and his son Vladimir, who have been captured by the nomadic Polovtsians.
The melodies for woodwinds and harp are particularly striking, aren’t they?
stained glass windows in a churchOttorino Respighi
An orchestral work in four movements composed by Respighi in 1925.
He orchestrated his own 1919 piano pieces, Three Preludes on Gregorian Themes, as the first through third movements, and then added a newly written fourth movement.
Symphony No. 5Gustav Mahler
Beginning with a foreboding trumpet fanfare, this work is Mahler’s first symphony written in the 20th century.
It opens solemnly but grows brighter and more grand as it progresses, leading from “funeral march” to “triumph.” The piece also quotes melodies from his own songs, such as Des Knaben Wunderhorn and Kindertotenlieder.
The fourth movement is also famous for its use in Luchino Visconti’s film Death in Venice.
Prelude to Act I from the opera ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’Richard Wagner
The piece has been used as background music in commercials for Cygames’ GRANBLUE FANTASY, McDonald’s Happy Meal, and Seven-Eleven Japan’s Seven Gold “Kin no Beer,” among others.
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg is a musical play.
While it has a strong comedic tone, Wagner’s genius is clearly expressed.
True to its comedic nature, it features bright, up-tempo melodies.
Amid the splendor, it contains criticism of certain things, prompting listeners to reflect in various ways.
Violin ConcertoFelix Mendelssohn
Alongside the violin concertos of Beethoven and Brahms, this piece—often called one of the “three great violin concertos”—was composed by Mendelssohn in 1844, when he was 35 years old.
It was written for the violinist Ferdinand David, who was born in the same apartment building as the Mendelssohn family and was a close family friend.
With David’s advice, Mendelssohn took a long time to complete the work, spending six years in total.
Horn Concerto No. 1Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
A concerto with the horn as the main timbre.
It’s suitable as background music for scenes of working in films or commercials.
With a relatively steady tempo, it’s easy to listen to, and even beginners to classical music can enter that world.
The horn doesn’t just make classical music more approachable for listeners.
In terms of imagery, it expresses in sound the state of a person completely absorbed in what’s in front of them.