{"id":73874,"date":"2020-04-30T00:19:08","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T07:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:10033\/?p=73874"},"modified":"2025-10-06T16:31:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T23:31:00","slug":"10-iconic-pieces-of-classical-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/10-iconic-pieces-of-classical-music\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Iconic Pieces of Classical Music"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Classical music has stood the test of time for many reasons, its beauty, complexity, and the vastness of repertoire have inspired audiences for hundreds of years. Within classical music, there are several pieces that have become iconic through use in special events such as graduations, weddings, classic films, and even cartoons! In this list, we&#8217;ll take a closer look at just a handful of the many iconic pieces of classical music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 by J.S. Bach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This piece by Bach might not have the catchiest title, but we guarantee you\u2019ll know the famous opening. It has become associated with intense or even scary moments in film and popular culture, perhaps because it famously made an appearance in the opening credits of&nbsp;<em>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde<\/em>&nbsp;(1931). Bach\u2019s extraordinary talent and powerful compositional voice are on full display in his Toccata and Fugue in D minor, the first on our list of some of the most iconic classical music compositions ever written.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Video Performance by Xaver Varnus.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"XAVER VARNUS PLAYS BACH&#039;S TOCCATA &amp; FUGUE IN THE BERLINER DOM\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FHNLdHe8uxY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor, &#8220;F\u00fcr Elise&#8221; by Ludwig Van Beethoven<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This piece was never published during Beethoven\u2019s lifetime. In fact, \u201cF\u00fcr Elise\u201d wasn\u2019t even discovered until forty years after his death in 1827. As a result, no one\u2019s quite sure who the Elise of the title was. Some musicologists even think the title might have been copied incorrectly and it was originally called \u201dF\u00fcr Therese.\u201d But no matter the identity of the fortunate beneficiary of this work\u2019s dedication, we can all agree that it\u2019s one of the most charming compositions for piano ever written. With its simple yet catchy melody and timeless beauty, Beethoven\u2019s Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor has inspired countless reinterpretations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Video Performance by Georgii Cherkin.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beethoven - F\u00fcr Elise | Piano &amp; Orchestra\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/e4d0LOuP4Uw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No.2, &#8220;Moonlight&#8221; by Ludwig Van Beethoven<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast to \u201cF\u00fcr Elise,\u201d the&nbsp;<em>Moonlight&nbsp;<\/em>Sonata became a popular favorite during Beethoven\u2019s lifetime and remains one of the most beloved compositions of his life\u2019s work to this day. Beethoven wrote his Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor in his early thirties and dedicated it to Countess Giulietta Guicciardi, who studied piano with the composer. If you\u2019ve ever taken piano lessons, been with someone taking piano lessons, or even just tried your hand at the keys to make some familiar music, you probably know the opening to the&nbsp;<em>Moonlight&nbsp;<\/em>Sonata very well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Video Performance by Andrea Romano.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Andrea Romano - Beethoven (Moonlight Sonata) Full\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lo-BREvdbxM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 by Ludwig van Beethoven<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This symphony by Beethoven opens with perhaps the four most famous notes of all time \u2013 known to many simply as: da da da duuum!. Some critics have suggested that this opening represents the sound of Fate knocking at the door. We can\u2019t know for sure what Beethoven had in mind when he wrote this timeless opening to his Symphony No. 5 in C minor \u2013 but what\u2019s beyond a shadow of a doubt is that this piece easily ranks in the top 10 most iconic, reaching beyond its genre and making an appearance in films, advertising, and even pop songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Video Performance by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Beethoven - Symphony No 5 - Kleiber, VPO (1974)\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PNpyRBVTavQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, &#8220;Choral&#8221; by Ludwig van Beethoven<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This piece is Beethoven\u2019s final complete symphony. It was first performed in Vienna in 1824 and continues to be performed all over the world. The 9th Symphony marked the first time a major composer added voices to a symphony, opening a new door for creative expression and giving the human voice new power and placement as an instrument that belongs among the finest orchestra members, in the grandest compositions. Lots of listeners feel Beethoven \u201csaved the best for last\u201d, with the symphony\u2019s final movement based on the&nbsp;<em>Ode to Joy<\/em>. Whatever your favorite moment is, it\u2019s clear that Beethoven\u2019s&nbsp;<em>Choral&nbsp;<\/em>Symphony is groundbreaking, powerful, and truly iconic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Video Performance by London Symphony Orchestra.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No 9 &#039;Ode to Joy&#039; \/\/ Sir Antonio Pappano &amp; London Symphony Orchestra\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fzyO3fLV5O0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;Ave Maria&#8221; by Charles Gounod<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When a thirty-something Charles Gounod decided to improvise a melody for the \u201cAve Maria\u201d text, he designed it to be superimposed over a well-established keyboard piece: Prelude No. 1 in C major, BWV 846, from Book I of J.S. Bach\u2019s<em>&nbsp;Well-Tempered Clavier<\/em>. Written for solo voice and piano, Gounod\u2019s \u201cAve Maria\u201d is also frequently performed in a wide array of instrumental arrangements. We think this composition is a stunning example of how borrowing from one of the best, and repurposing with great talent and thoughtfulness, can result in something both new and familiar, and altogether extraordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Video Performance by Maria Callas.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ave Maria \u00b7 Bach \u00b7 Callas\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5uzZu9HZBWA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;Messiah&#8221; by George Frideric Handel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is difficult to put into words just what makes Handel\u2019s&nbsp;<em>Messiah<\/em>&nbsp;iconic. This Baroque oratorio, originally composed to be performed in celebration of the Christian Easter holiday, is now a near-permanent fixture during the Christmas season as well, and its artistic power expands well beyond any specific holiday or faith. From its memorable melodies to its celebrated choruses,&nbsp;<em>Messiah<\/em>&nbsp;is a grand and radiant display of the power of classical music to move humanity, and share stories as no other art form can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Video performance by Choir of King\u2019s College, Cambridge.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hallelujah - Choir of King&#039;s College, Cambridge live performance of Handel&#039;s Messiah\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C3TUWU_yg4s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K 525, &#8220;Eine kleine Nachtmusik&#8221; by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The incandescently brilliant Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed music for 30 of his 35 years, and today his name is known by nearly everyone in the world.&nbsp;<em>Eine kleine Nachtmusik<\/em>&nbsp;(A Little Night Music) is arguably his most recognizable work, especially its first movement. Outside of the concert hall and classical recordings, you\u2019re likely to hear it pacifying phone users on hold and to sell a dizzying array of products. With his infamous sense of humor, the composer may have had quite a laugh at this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Video performance by Slovak Chamber Orchestra.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"W.A.Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Complete) Slovak Chamber Orchestra\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/o1FSN8_pp_o?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;The Blue Danube&#8221; by Johann Strauss II<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Known even in his day as \u201cThe Waltz King\u201d, Johann Strauss is a somewhat example of a classical composer who attained the equivalent of modern rock-star acclaim in his lifetime.&nbsp;<em>The Blue Danube*<\/em>&nbsp;is the best-known of his works\u2014a significant ranking as Strauss\u2019 written repertoire includes 500+ pieces of dance music (waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, etc.) plus several operettas and a ballet. But even casual listeners unfamiliar with the composer will recognize this piece as the epitome of a waltz\u2014and so we also rank it among the top ten most iconic pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>* aka<em>&nbsp;An der sch\u00f6nen, blauen Donau<\/em>&nbsp;(On the Beautiful Blue Danube), Op. 314<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Video performance by Zubin Mehta &amp; the Vienna Philharmonic.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Johann Strauss II - The Blue Danube Waltz\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_CTYymbbEL4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;Introduction, or Sunrise,&#8221; from Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 by Richard Strauss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Richard and Johann Strauss were not related, but they share a posthumous debt to Stanley Kubrick, who included Johann\u2019s most famous piece (see above) and Richard Strauss\u2019&nbsp;<em>Einleitung<\/em>&nbsp;(Introduction) in the soundtrack of his now-iconic 1968 film&nbsp;<em>2001: A Space Odyssey<\/em>. Since the film, The<em>&nbsp;Einleitung*<\/em>&nbsp;has been widely used in pop culture and advertising. It can\u2019t be denied that this is some of the most compelling and engaging music ever written\u2014but it is only the beginning of an astounding musical experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>* aka&nbsp;<em>Einleitung, oder Sonnenaufgang<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Video performance by the New York Philharmonic.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"R. Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30: I. Prelude. Sonnenaufgang\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jvhsgrCr0Vo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honorable Mentions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20241112084636mp_\/https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=moL4MkJ-aLk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20241112084636mp_\/https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JvNQLJ1_HQ0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pachelbel: Canon in D<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20241112084636mp_\/https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=f8yyYNSA7pQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tchaikovsky:&nbsp;<em>Nutcracker<\/em>&nbsp;Suite<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20241112084636mp_\/https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6LAPFM3dgag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vivaldi:&nbsp;<em>The Four Seasons<\/em><\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20241112084636mp_\/https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GGU1P6lBW6Q\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wagner: \u201cRide of the Valkyries\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Classical music has stood the test of time for many reasons, its beauty, complexity, and the vastness of repertoire have inspired audiences for hundreds of years. Within classical music, there are several pieces that have become iconic through use in special events such as graduations, weddings, classic films, and even cartoons! In this list, we&#8217;ll &#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":74156,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4044],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-73874","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-playlist"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-21 04:09:49","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73874"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73874\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":107771,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73874\/revisions\/107771"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73874"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73874"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}