Pyotr Tchaikovsky Popular Song Rankings [2026]

Piano Concerto No. 2Pyotr Tchaikovsky71rank/position

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 – Piano Solo

This piano concerto stands out for showcasing highly virtuosic piano technique right from the first movement.

Compared to the First Concerto, it has a somewhat more restrained overall atmosphere, but in terms of how prominently the piano is featured, this one surpasses No.

1.

Piano Suite “The Seasons” June: BarcarollePyotr Tchaikovsky72rank/position

Tchaikovsky – June: Barcarolle (G minor) – Lang Lang

Tchaikovsky’s piano cycle The Seasons depicts all twelve months in music, written to appear monthly in a Russian music magazine from the January to the December 1876 issues.

While a barcarolle (boat song) is usually composed in 6/8 time, the piece “June: Barcarolle” is written in 4/4; nevertheless, its boat-like rocking rhythm feels completely natural.

Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33Pyotr Tchaikovsky73rank/position

Tschaikowsky: Rokoko-Variationen ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Mischa Maisky ∙ Paavo Järvi

A masterpiece that fuses the traditions of Russian music with Western European style.

Composed by Tchaikovsky between 1876 and 1877, this work is a set of variations for cello and small orchestra.

Based on an elegant, delicate Rococo-style theme, it consists of seven variations.

It demands advanced technique and expressive power from the cellist, fully showcasing the solo instrument’s allure.

Highlights include the wistful melody of Variation VI and the brilliant finale of Variation VII.

This piece lets you revel in the cello’s rich tone and its exquisite balance with the orchestra.

It’s recommended not only for classical music enthusiasts but also for anyone wishing to experience the charm of the cello.

RomancePyotr Tchaikovsky74rank/position

Richter plays Tchaikovsky Romance in F minor, Op.5 (Budapest, 1983)

This is a piece written by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, a leading composer of the Russian Romantic era, for a woman he loved so much that he even considered marriage.

However, they were apparently unable to marry.

The tempo isn’t slow, but the melody is strikingly poignant and tinged with a certain wistful sorrow.

Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 “Pathétique”Pyotr Tchaikovsky75rank/position

Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 “Pathétique” – Movement III – Karajan

It is Tchaikovsky’s final symphony, and the subtitle “Pathétique” was chosen by the composer himself.

Tchaikovsky experienced as many as twelve bouts of depression in his life, and some say this work may reflect that state of mind.

Although the Pathétique is shrouded in a dark atmosphere overall, the third movement is enveloped in a glittering mood.

It fuses a scherzo with a march, beginning with a light, airy melody and culminating in a resplendent finale at the climax.

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Symphony No. 1 “Winter Daydreams”Pyotr Tchaikovsky76rank/position

Tschaikowsky: 1. Sinfonie (»Winterträume«) ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Paavo Järvi

It’s a lesser-known symphony, but it’s very beautiful.

From the very beginning of the first movement, a lovely melody flows and really moves you.

In fact, the first movement features a viola solo—a thrilling point for enthusiasts.

The brilliance of the fourth movement is also quintessentially Tchaikovsky.

Symphony No. 4, Op. 36Pyotr Tchaikovsky77rank/position

Tschaikowsky: 4. Sinfonie ∙ hr-Sinfonieorchester ∙ Krzysztof Urbański

Composed by Tchaikovsky between 1877 and 1878, this work was created during a pivotal turning point in his life.

The turmoil of his personal affairs—such as the collapse of his marriage and the support he received from Nadezhda von Meck—is powerfully reflected in it.

The “fate motif” introduced by the brass at the opening symbolizes the inescapable force of destiny and resonates deeply with listeners.

Consisting of four movements, it brilliantly conveys emotions that sway between despair and hope, and it stands out as a masterpiece imbued with distinctly Russian melancholy.

It is a highly recommended piece for those who wish to experience Tchaikovsky’s inner conflicts and emotional fluctuations.