Pyotr Tchaikovsky Popular Song Rankings [2026]

Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23Pyotr Tchaikovsky8rank/position

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 / Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 – Ryota Yamazaki (Grand Prix 2014, PTNA)

When it comes to piano concertos, this piece is the quintessential classic—surely there are hardly any people who haven’t heard it.

Many performers have played it and left landmark recordings.

From beginning to end, it gives not only the piano but almost every instrument in the orchestra a moment to shine.

If you’ve never listened through to the third movement, I strongly encourage you to hear it all the way to the end.

“The Four Seasons” – 12 Character Pieces, Op. 37a: October, “Autumn Song”Pyotr Tchaikovsky9rank/position

Tchaikovsky – The Seasons: October (“Autumn Song”) – Vladimir Tropp

Pyotr Tchaikovsky, a great composer who represents modern music.

He created many masterpieces, but one I especially recommend is “The Seasons – 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op.

37a: October ‘Autumn Song.’” This piece, from the famous cycle The Seasons, portrays autumn and beautifully captures its melancholy and poignancy.

The melody isn’t merely dark; rather, it’s characterized by a focus on transience and compassion.

Be sure to check it out.

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Ryo

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“The Seasons” – 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op. 37bis: October “Autumn Song”Pyotr Tchaikovsky10rank/position

Lang Lang – October, Autumn Song (The Seasons, Op. 37b) – Tchaikovsky

Pyotr Tchaikovsky, the great composer who has had a profound influence on modern artists.

Tchaikovsky created many masterpieces, but the one I especially recommend is The Seasons – 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op.

37bis: October, “Autumn Song.” This cycle portrays both the lives of ordinary people through the seasons and the seasons themselves.

In this particular piece, the dark melody—imbued with a poignant sense of longing, like autumn’s arrival and the falling of leaves—is especially captivating.

Be sure to check it out.

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Ryo

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String SerenadePyotr Tchaikovsky11rank/position

Tchaikovski. Serenade for strings. Seiji Ozawa.

Many of the melodies in works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, the world-renowned composer born in Russia, are both beautiful and suffused with sorrow.

There are many Tchaikovsky pieces suitable for introduction in this article, but the one featured here is a work for string ensemble that he composed in 1880.

While Swan Lake and The Nutcracker may be better known, the melodic beauty and poignancy of this piece are equally remarkable, unfolding with a flowing, melancholic character centered on the rich sonorities of the strings.

Frequently used on Japanese TV, this work offers an excellent opportunity to engage with classical music.

String Quartet No. 1, Movement IIPyotr Tchaikovsky12rank/position

Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 1, 2nd Movement | MMCJ | Yokohama Web Stage

This is a soothing masterpiece by the Russian composer Tchaikovsky.

Its beautiful melody, inspired by Russian folk songs, deeply resonates with listeners.

The graceful sound of the string quartet seems to evoke scenes of one’s homeland.

It’s also well known that when it premiered in Moscow in 1871, the great writer Tolstoy was moved to tears.

The version for cello and string orchestra is also beloved and frequently performed in concerts.

It’s recommended for times when you want to heal a tired heart or sink into a calm mood.

Surrender yourself to the unhurried music and enjoy a moment of peace.

“The Seasons” – 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op. 37b-6: June ‘Barcarolle’Pyotr Tchaikovsky13rank/position

Tchaikovsky / The Seasons, 12 Characteristic Pieces: 6. Barcarolle / Performed by Kyoko Nakagawa

The Seasons is a set of piano pieces that depicts the changing year in Russia.

The Barcarolle for June, with its melancholic melody that deeply touches the heart, is one of the most famous among the twelve pieces.

It begins with a quiet, wistful atmosphere, shifts in the middle section to a more cheerful mood as if rocking in a gondola, and then returns to a darker tone.

Because the music is written in multiple overlapping voices, it’s important to clearly distinguish the melody from the accompaniment.

Also, the pedal is essential for this piece.

Practice your pedaling thoroughly so you can connect the sounds smoothly without causing muddiness.

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yuri

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“The Four Seasons” — From 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op. 37bis: “February: Carnival”Pyotr Tchaikovsky14rank/position

2008 Prizewinner Commemoration Ryota Suzuki / Tchaikovsky: The Seasons – February, Carnival

A celebrated collection by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Seasons – 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op.

37bis, consists of twelve beautiful miniatures depicting Russia’s four seasons.

Among them, February: Carnival, which portrays the lively festivities of the Russian people enjoying their carnival, is a perfect showpiece for a recital.

The charm of this piece lies in its dazzling, almost explosive joy and Tchaikovsky’s characteristically vivid coloristic expression.

Imagine the Russian people unable to contain their excitement even in the harsh cold, and perform with a bright, clear tone.