Georges Bizet Popular Song Rankings [2026]

Arlésienne Suite No. 2, III. MinuetGeorges Bizet8rank/position

Minuet from L'Arlésienne / (Slow) Bizet / Beginner Piano Sheet Music / Recital

This is an instrumental piece born from the incidental music that French composer Georges Bizet wrote in 1872, celebrated for its elegant and light, captivating melody.

Bizet displayed remarkable talent from an early age, entering the Paris Conservatory before the age of ten.

Composed as music to accompany a story set in the south of France, the work is characterized by delicate melodies and rich harmonies that soothe the listener.

It is also popular as a piano recital piece and is recommended for beginners.

By carefully rendering its graceful lines, performers can develop a deep sense of musical expression.

Carmen Suite: IntermezzoGeorges Bizet9rank/position

Bizet “Carmen” — Intermezzo.

When we hear “Carmen,” we can’t help but associate it with images of “bullfighters” and “femme fatales,” but the suite also contains pieces that are soothing like this one.

This melody, also well known as a short piece for flute, serves as something of a brief interlude in this dramatic story.

“The Pearl Fishers” Act 1: “Your Voice Remains in My Heart”Georges Bizet10rank/position

Placido Domingo in Pearl fishes

This is an opera by Bizet, famous for Carmen, depicting the love and friendship of pearl fishers on the shores of Ceylon.

It features beautiful melodies characteristic of Bizet, such as the duet of friendship for tenor and baritone and the aria “Your voice I can still hear,” which recalls a memory of love.

L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2, I. PastoraleGeorges Bizet11rank/position

"L'Arlésienne" Suite No. 2: I. Pastorale

This piece opens the suite L’Arlésienne Suite No.

2, born from the treasure of 19th-century French incidental music.

Bizet’s stage score from 1872 was reworked by his close friend Guiraud into a suite, whose introductory movement premiered in Paris in March 1880.

The gentle call-and-response between alto saxophone and English horn paints a countryside veiled in morning mist, while the harp’s transparent timbre brings out the rustic simplicity of the shepherds’ scene.

In the ternary form’s middle section, a light Andantino adds a bright, dance-like lilt, and the return to the tranquil opening is masterfully crafted.

Savor the richly colored orchestration on classic recordings such as Karajan with the Berlin Philharmonic and Dutoit with the Montreal Symphony.

Prelude from CarmenGeorges Bizet12rank/position

#4K# Prelude from Carmen Suite, Bizet: Carmen Suite — Mesena Civic Symphony Orchestra, 7th Regular Concert

This commercial announces a special deal on McDonald’s French fries.

It opens with a shot of fries being boldly spread across a tray, and the sight of the cast enjoying them so deliciously will surely make you crave fries.

A parody of the famous overture from the opera Carmen sticks in your ears, making it a commercial you won’t forget once you’ve seen it.

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The Girl from ArlesGeorges Bizet13rank/position

[Flute Solo] Minuet from Bizet’s “L’Arlésienne,” arranged for solo flute

It is incidental music composed by the French composer Georges Bizet.

It features beautiful melodies that evoke the scenery of southern France, making you feel as if you’re strolling across the vast landscapes of Provence as you listen.

Although it premiered in October 1872, it was not well received at the time.

However, when Bizet himself selected four pieces and arranged them into a suite, it became a great success.

Since the original includes a flute solo, it’s also recommended as a practice piece for flutists; its gentle tone and beautiful melody are soothing to the heart.

It’s a piece that allows beginners to enjoyably practice authentic classical music, so why not give it a try?

Arlésienne Suite No. 2, No. 3: “Menuet”Georges Bizet14rank/position

Bizet: Menuet from L’Arlésienne, performed by pianist Yuki Kondo / Bizet L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2, Menuet, Yuki Kondo

Among piano pieces, Georges Bizet’s works are filled with memorable melodies.

The “Minuet,” included in the Second Suite selected from the incidental music to L’Arlésienne, is a charming piece with an elegant and light character.

Although Bizet adapted it from another work, its rich melody and exquisite arrangement have made it a famous piece that almost everyone has heard at least once.

Depending on the arrangement, it’s accessible even for beginners who’ve just started learning the piano, so give it a try.

It reveals a delicate and refined side of Bizet, quite different from the passionate Carmen.