[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 (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.
“Spring” from The Four SeasonsAntonio Vivaldi
Until fairly recently, it was used in middle school music classes and even as a train departure melody, and among the pieces in Vivaldi’s suite The Four Seasons, it is by far the most famous.
It expresses the joy of spring and the chirping of little birds, making it cheerful and memorable.
Not only cheerful, it also depicts scenes of spring storms and thunderstorms, making it a piece with many parts that prompt deeper reflection.
Symphonic Poem “Les Préludes”Franz Liszt
The third symphonic poem Franz Liszt, known as the “Magician of the Piano,” released after retiring as a pianist to devote himself to composing and conducting.
This symphonic poem bears a program that begins, “Our life is a prelude to death.” The piece is performed without breaks and consists of four sections that evoke “the beginning of life, love,” “the storm,” “the pastoral,” and “the battle.” Please enjoy this drama of life, painted with the rich colors of the orchestra.
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.
Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”Gustav Mahler
This piece was composed between 1888 and 1894.
During its composition, he was struck by various tragedies.
Even so, he continued to compose.
The title “Resurrection” refers to the final movement.
The large brass section and the chorus are beautiful.
I think the piece gains even greater depth when you listen while imagining his circumstances.
Ballet Suite ‘Swan Lake’Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
It has been widely used in commercials for cosmetics and food.
In figure skating, Ikuko Kawai chose it as background music.
It is very famous as ballet music.
In particular, Russia’s Swan Lake ballet performances are breathtaking.
They superbly express the elegance of the swans gathered on the lake and the beauty of their flight.
Yearning and beauty become one, carrying the listener into another world.
Piano Concerto No. 2Sergei Vasil’evich Rachmaninov
It was used as background music in a TV program for a figure skating championship.
It’s well known because Mao Asada often used it.
Its hallmark is a sorrowful yet beautiful melody that suits skating perfectly.
It depicts both human sadness and joy.
It begins with a deep sense of sorrow and helplessness.
Gradually, the downcast feeling lifts, as if discovering hope.
The interplay between these two emotions is performed with great care.