Ranking of popular classical pieces
Timeless classical masterpieces composed hundreds of years ago are still loved today.
We encounter them in many moments of our everyday lives, don’t we?
If you’re a classical music fan, you might go to hear orchestral performances; and if you play the piano or violin, there’s a good chance you’ve performed some of these pieces yourself.
We’ll introduce these classical masterpieces—arguably a genre listened to and cherished around the world like no other—in a ranking format!
It’s a ranking packed with masterpieces that we hope not only beginners to classical music but also dedicated fans will enjoy.
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Classical Popular Songs Ranking (61–70)
Carmen FantasyPablo de Sarasate64rank/position
This is a masterpiece composed by a celebrated Spanish virtuoso violinist.
Pablo de Sarasate was a violinist and composer active during the Romantic era, known for his pure tone and light, agile performance style.
This work is a fantasy based on melodies from Bizet’s opera Carmen, showcasing the violin’s allure to the fullest.
Beginning with an introduction, the famous themes from Carmen appear one after another, captivating listeners.
Its brilliant performance, employing a variety of techniques such as trills and glissandi, unfolds like a passionate Spanish landscape spreading before your eyes.
It’s a piece I would especially recommend to women interested in classical music.
Introduction from the symphonic poem “Also sprach Zarathustra”Richard Strauss65rank/position
You often hear the phrase on TV shows and commercials, but there may not be many people who know the title of the piece: Also sprach Zarathustra.
It was written by Richard Strauss, one of the most famous German composers around 1900.
The piece is a musical expression of the renowned prose poem by the philosopher and poet Nietzsche.
In the introduction, the scene where one morning Zarathustra awakens with the dawn and addresses the sun with gratitude is vividly recreated through masterful orchestration.
Symphony No. 2, Movement IIISergei Rachmaninov66rank/position
Among the large-scale symphonies by the Russian Romantic composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, the third movement of his Symphony No.
2 is exceptionally beautiful.
Premiered in February 1908, this work became a landmark piece that helped him overcome past harsh criticism and regain his confidence as a composer.
The clarinet’s long-breathed melody seeps into the heart like an endless song, gently embraced by the warm sonorities of the strings.
Played during diploma presentations or recessional scenes, it can create a moving atmosphere befitting the children’s departure on their next journey.
A Little Night MusicWolfgang Amadeus Mozart67rank/position
The creator of this masterpiece, whose gentle and graceful melody sinks into the heart, is the genius composer Mozart.
Evoking a nocturnal scene with a serene atmosphere, this work harmoniously blends light, approachable themes and was completed in Vienna in August 1787.
Consisting of four movements—from the bright and festive first movement, to the second that exudes the quiet of night, the dance-like third, and the lively fourth—it gently envelops the listener.
It is also used as the departure melody at Tobu Tojo Line Ikebukuro Station, making it a familiar tune in everyday life.
It’s a perfect piece when you want to enhance concentration or calm the mind.
Transcendental Étude No. 5 “Will-o’-the-Wisp”Franz Liszt68rank/position
Franz Liszt’s works are highly regarded as masterpieces that combine transcendental virtuosity with poetic expression.
This piece symbolizes a fantastical image of flickering, bluish-white lights floating in the night.
Rapid chromatic figures flow continuously, and the shimmering sound evokes the ghostly motion of “will-o’-the-wisps.” While centered in B-flat major, occasional dissonant sonorities and irregular rhythms create a mysterious atmosphere.
Completed in 1851, the piece made a significant contribution to the development of piano music.
It is recommended for those interested in classical music and for pianists seeking a technical challenge.
Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23Frederic Chopin69rank/position
Frédéric Chopin, the “poet of the piano” born in Poland.
Among Chopin’s many masterpieces, the work often hailed as his greatest is the Ballade No.
1 in G minor, Op.
23.
It is a uniquely original piece that masterfully fuses meticulously calculated structure with free and spontaneous improvisational flair—unlike anything else.
A true concert showpiece in which the genius of imagination bursts forth.
With its beautiful melodies, dramatic development, and above all its overwhelming pianistic impact, this captivating work is performed passionately by Samson François.
Known for its formidable difficulty, the piece is pursued here to its limits, offering a jewel of a performance that conveys profound understanding of and affection for Chopin.
Enjoy.
Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, Fourth MovementFrederic Chopin70rank/position
Chopin’s masterpiece, Piano Sonata No.
3 in B minor, Op.
58, Fourth Movement, is striking for its intensity and brilliance.
The key highlights of this work are arguably the opening and the ending.
The opening, with its repeated modulations, creates an overwhelming sense of immersion.
The ending, true to the rondo form, is crafted with fierce energy.
This piece is renowned for its high level of difficulty.
While it may not rank among the very hardest works even for advanced players, it approaches that level of challenge.
In particular, the difficulty of the third edition/variant is quite high—be sure to check it out.
