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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)
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.
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.
Waltz from “Masquerade”Aram Khachaturian
It is a composition by Aram Khachaturian.
Khachaturian is known for his bold and intense style, and he also composed the “Sabre Dance” used in the ballet Gayane.
This piece is one of the numbers from the incidental music for Masquerade, which premiered in 1941.
It was later arranged by Khachaturian himself into a suite for orchestra, and today it is familiar to Japanese audiences not only through orchestral concerts but also because many figure skaters—including Nobunari Oda and Mao Asada—have used it in their programs.
Waltz of the FlowersPeter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
A piece from The Nutcracker, the last ballet score composed by the Russian composer Tchaikovsky.
The Nutcracker is a story set on Christmas Eve.
The nutcracker that the heroine, a girl named Clara, receives is actually a prince under a spell, and the two embark on adventures together—fighting the Mouse King and visiting a fairyland.
This Waltz of the Flowers is a grand ensemble in which the inhabitants dance to welcome the pair when they arrive in the fairyland.
Please enjoy Tchaikovsky’s elegant, mysteriously atmospheric melody, befitting a composer known as a master of melody.
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?