[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)
In the MoodGuren Mirā Ōkesutora
A bright, sprightly swing rhythm resonates pleasantly, making listeners feel happy—this is a true classic.
The smooth, sophisticated sound unique to the Glenn Miller Orchestra seeps deep into the heart.
Released in August 1939, the piece shines with the saxophone section’s beautiful harmonies and dance floor–minded arrangement.
A gem also featured in the 1941 film “Sun Valley Serenade” and the 1954 “The Glenn Miller Story.” Perfect for creating warm, uplifting moments—whether during a quick refresh between work or study, or at a home party with friends—it continues to be loved by many to this day.
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.
The Fountains of RomeOttorino Respighi
After moving to Rome in 1913, Respighi found inspiration there and composed his Roman Trilogy.
The first of these, The Fountains of Rome, was written in 1916.
Rome has an abundance of fountains, which strongly evoke its historical background.
The Fountains of Rome is beautiful, elegant, and delicate, while The Roman Festivals and The Pines of Rome are also wonderfully lively pieces.
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.
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 97 “Rhenish”Robert Schumann
Composed in 1850.
Although it is numbered No.
3, the “Rhenish” was the last of the four symphonies to be written.
Schumann was 40 years old and had moved to Düsseldorf.
It is said that the work was inspired by life along the Rhine River there.
The lively melody of the first movement lifts the listener’s spirits.
strollHisaishi Joe
Azumi Inoue’s “Sanpo,” the signature song from Studio Ghibli’s emblematic film My Neighbor Totoro, is performed here with orchestra and chorus.
The footage is from “Joe Hisaishi in Budokan: 25 Years with the Animations of Hayao Miyazaki,” featuring numerous Ghibli masterpieces arranged and conducted by Joe Hisaishi himself.
The live texture of the orchestra is truly wonderful.
This piece was previously arranged for “Orchestra Stories: My Neighbor Totoro,” which includes a narrated performance—highly recommended as well.
Like an instrument introduction, it features sections where only the woodwinds or only the brass play, as well as sections for strings and percussion, plus solo passages, making it an arrangement that showcases the orchestra’s appeal.
It’s also recommended as an introductory piece for those new to orchestral music.
The Rite of SpringIgor Stravinsky
It is a work composed by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky for ballet.
It belongs to the so-called body of “modern music,” and, due to its high degree of originality, received mixed reactions when it was first presented.
It is widely known that a massive brawl broke out among the audience at its premiere performance.
Perhaps that is how deeply the piece strikes a chord in people’s hearts.
This masterpiece, which today ranks among works of extreme virtuosity, is one you should experience with your own ears at least once.
The Carnival of the Animals, No. 14: FinaleCamille Saint-Saëns
A dazzling, exhilarating piece that feels like the grand finale of a festival—that’s the closing movement of Camille Saint-Saëns’s suite The Carnival of the Animals.
Composed in 1886 for a private performance and first made public only after the composer’s death in 1922, the work builds from the piano’s brilliant opening trills as various instruments join in, with motifs of animals from earlier movements appearing one after another—truly the climax of the celebration.
The humorous tone pervades the whole piece, and the ending, capped with playful animal imitations, adds to its delightful charm.
It is also known for its use in Disney’s 1999 film Fantasia 2000, and it’s the kind of music that can sweep away the summer heat and leave you feeling refreshed.
Even those who don’t often listen to classical music are sure to discover its joy.
Water Music: HornpipeGeorg Friedrich Händel
There is an orchestral suite by George Frideric Handel written to adorn a royal river outing, and one of its pieces combines a refreshing coolness with festive brilliance that suits summer perfectly.
At its premiere on the Thames in July 1717, it captivated audiences so much that King George I reportedly ordered multiple encores.
With trumpets and horns in lively motion, it lifts listeners into a bright, celebratory mood.
It’s also known for coloring a scene in the film Dead Poets Society.
For those seeking a brisk, invigorating moment on muggy days, or anyone who wants to enjoy the majestic yet light charm of Baroque music with ease, this piece is just the thing.
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.