[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!
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[Classical] Famous Waltzes: Recommended Popular Pieces (31–40)
Waltz No. 10 in B Minor, Op. 69, No. 2Frederic Chopin
This is a work by Frédéric Chopin, the poet of the piano.
Because it is in a minor key, it lacks the brilliance of a major-key waltz, yet it features an extremely beautiful melody that evokes a certain wistfulness.
As with Chopin’s Waltz No.
9, the “Farewell Waltz,” it is said that its publication was withheld during his lifetime for being overly sentimental, and it was published after Chopin’s death by a friend.
Mary’s Golden Wedding AnniversaryJean Gabriel Marie
A gavotte-like piece by the French composer Gabriel Marie.
The French title “Cinquantaine” means “50” and literally refers to a “golden wedding,” the 50th wedding anniversary traditionally celebrated with gifts of gold.
It begins with a dignified atmosphere and a touch of melancholy in the melody, then shifts in the middle section to a bright, powerfully celebratory mood.
Combining grandeur with a clear, radiant character, its beautiful melody has led to numerous arrangements for various ensembles.
Tales of the Vienna WoodsJohann Strauss II
A symbolic work of Viennese music, this piece expresses the patriotism of Johann Strauss II, who was born in Vienna.
The beautiful green belt known as the Vienna Woods has long been a place of relaxation for people from the past to the present, and it is said that Strauss II was moved by its natural beauty to compose this work.
Its most notable feature is the zither solo.
The zither is a folk instrument from the regions spanning southern Germany to Austria, and it is said that Strauss used it to represent the fusion of the capital, Vienna, with its surrounding areas.
Mephisto Waltz No. 1: “Dance at the Village Inn”Franz Liszt
One of the difficult pieces lavishly packed with Liszt-like virtuosic techniques.
Mephisto plays a waltz on the violin, and people begin to dance.
Eventually, Mephisto finds a girl named Margarete and slips away with her into the forest.
The piece vividly depicts such scenes, with a nightingale singing in the night sky.
Rather than an elegant waltz, it brims with overwhelming energy—more a frenzy of ecstatic revelry—offering a piece where one can fully savor magnificent piano virtuosity.
Grand WaltzFrederic Chopin
Among the waltzes composed by Chopin, the Polish composer known as the “poet of the piano,” this is one of the most famous.
When Chopin came to Vienna from Warsaw, the waltz was in vogue there.
This piece was written after his visit to Vienna and is among the works most influenced by the Viennese waltz.
It features a characteristically light waltz rhythm and a brilliant melody, making it a very approachable piece.
[Classical] Famous Waltzes: Recommended Popular Pieces (41–50)
schoolgirlÉmile Waldteufel
This is a representative work by the 19th-century French composer Émile Waldteufel.
In his twenties, Waldteufel was not particularly well known, but after performing before Edward VII, his name quickly spread throughout Britain, and he also gave a command performance for Queen Victoria.
Thus, in his late thirties he rose to international fame, and it was during this prime period that this piece was written.
Although the Japanese title is “The Schoolgirl,” the original meaning is “The Students’ Band Waltz,” and it does not refer specifically to women.
It is a cheerful, lively waltz that incorporates Spanish folk melodies.
Waltz No. 4 in F major “Kitten Waltz”Frederic Chopin
Also known as the “Kitten Waltz” for its lively character, the Waltz No.
4 in F major, Op.
34 No.
3 conjures up an adorable scene of kittens darting around at play.
It is often chosen for recitals and competitions and is beloved for its strong performance impact.
Like the well-known “Minute Waltz,” Waltz No.
6 in D-flat major, Op.
64 No.
1, its tempo is brisk and the melody whirls by rapidly.
Although it isn’t as famous as the “Minute Waltz,” it is one of Chopin’s representative waltzes and a piano piece well worth knowing alongside it.
