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[Classics] Famous waltzes: recommended popular pieces
Introducing a selection of famous waltzes all at once! From classic staples to lesser-known gems, we’ve picked a wide range.
The true charm of the waltz lies in its 3/4 time, doesn’t it? That distinctive meter creates such a romantic atmosphere.
Whether in major or minor keys, it’s captivating music.
This time, it’s a special feature on waltzes! You might even discover something like, “I didn’t know there was such a great piece!” We’ve selected pieces across various styles, so be sure to read to the end!
[Classical] Famous Waltzes: Recommended Popular Pieces (1–10)
The Waltzing CatLeroy Anderson
Composer Leroy Anderson, famed for his humor-filled orchestral works, enjoyed great popularity.
Among his pieces, this is the one cat lovers should definitely hear.
Recorded in September 1950 under Anderson’s own baton, the work uses the silky timbre of the strings to imitate a cat’s meow.
You can almost picture Puss in Boots gracefully stepping through a ballroom.
The charming finale even features a comic twist, with the cat chased off by a barking dog.
Brimming with playfulness, it’s a perfect recommendation for anyone seeking classical music that’s simply fun to enjoy.
Romantic WaltzClaude Debussy
This is a work by the French composer Claude Debussy.
Debussy composed using free harmony that was not bound by functional harmony, and he was one of the most influential composers from the late 19th to the early 20th century.
This piece, “Valse romantique,” was composed in 1890 and is said to show a strong influence from Chopin.
Before entering the Paris Conservatoire, Debussy studied with Madame Mauté de Fleurville, a pupil of Chopin, which may have something to do with this connection.
Serenade for Strings in C major, II. MovementPeter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Serenade for Strings, a masterpiece for string ensemble composed in 1880 by the great Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
Of its four movements, the second is especially beloved.
This waltz, performed solely by strings without any wind instruments, captivates with its blend of brilliance and wistful melody.
Premiered in October 1881, the piece has also been frequently used in recent film and video works.
Its graceful tone makes it perfect as background music for an elegant tea time or a leisurely day off.
Even if you’re not familiar with classical music, be sure to give it a listen.
Waltz = BalletÉric Satie
Waltz-Ballet is a piano piece written in 1885 by the French composer Erik Satie, known for works such as Gymnopédies, when he was just 19 years old.
Unlike his later avant-garde style, this piece is filled with a charming, Chopin-influenced character.
Even within its romantic melodies, the structure features repeated simple phrases, already showing a glimmer of Satie’s distinctive individuality.
Its true value came to be recognized over a long period of time, with records of a public performance at the Opéra-Comique in Paris in May 1979.
Today, it is also appreciated as a piece used for ballet lessons.
Je te veuxÉric Satie
A masterpiece by the French composer Erik Satie with a passionately evocative title that means “I want you” in French.
Originally published in 1902 as a chanson to be sung in Parisian cabarets, the piece is now performed on a variety of instruments, most notably as a piano solo.
Its lyrics, which express overflowing feelings for a beloved in a straightforward way, blend exquisitely with the elegant, mellifluous melody, leaving listeners in a dreamy reverie.
Why not give it a listen when you want to bask in a romantic atmosphere or spend a leisurely, graceful moment?
In the style of BorodinMaurice Ravel
As the title “In the Style of Borodin” suggests, this work is a waltz that imitates the style of the Russian composer Alexander Borodin.
It unfolds in a graceful triple meter in D-flat major and is known as a charming miniature interwoven with distinctive sonorities.
Written by the French composer Maurice Ravel as part of a series of pieces “in the style of” various composers, it premiered in December 1913.
To bring out the beauty of its wide leaps and complex chords, delicate control is required.
It makes an excellent addition to daily practice, offering a repertoire that balances technical skill with lyrical expression.
Drinking SongGiuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi, the great master of Italian opera.
The piece that brightens Act 1 of his masterpiece La traviata is “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici,” known in Japan as “The Drinking Song.” Set to a lively waltz in 3/4 time, the duet in which Violetta and Alfredo sing of love and the joys of life also conveys a fleeting, bittersweet beauty behind the glittering festivity.
Although it was poorly received at its premiere in March 1853, it is now a beloved classic around the world.
Why not give it a listen as an introduction to opera?