At the time when Beethoven or Tchaikovsky lived and worked, there were no music charts, the Internet and record companies, but this did not prevent them from becoming cult personalities.
Now their work is popular only in certain, narrow circles, while the mass listener prefers songs not endowed with a deep meaning that occupy the top lines of the charts.
We suggest you try something new and join the classics, for this we have collected 10 masterpieces of classical music from the greatest composers in history.
10. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6
The great Russian composer called this symphony “Pathetic,” since he tried to contrast life and death in it.
It is noteworthy that the composition was the last work of the author: 9 days after its premiere, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky died of cholera (although after that there were rumors of suicide).
Tchaikovsky worked on the sixth symphony for several years, conceived it back in 1899, about which he even wrote to Prince Konstantin Romanov. He said that he wanted to create something grand that would become the crown of his career, and very much hoped that he would manage to realize his plan before his death. He succeeded, and the creation turned out to be really grand.
9. Johann Strauss (Jr.) - “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” (An der schönen blauen Donau)
Initially, the waltz was created specifically for the Vienna Choir and they even wrote a text for it (the author was Joseph Weil), and Strauss presented the fully instrumental version of the composition a little later to the Parisian public.
In addition to fame and cult status, the waltz became an unofficial Austrian anthem and is played annually on January 1 at the Vienna New Year concert.
8. Richard Wagner - “Siegfried Idyll” (Siegfried Idyll)
This opera is part of the Nibelung Ring tetralogy, which Tchaikovsky called one of the most ambitious plans ever born in a human head.
The composer worked on the entire tetralogy for more than 25 years, and the completion of Siegfried-Idyll coincided with the birth of a son. This was a present for Wagner, and opera a present for his wife.
The composition consists of 3 acts, starting with a soft, soothing lullaby. The plot of the opera is based on Germanic-Scandinavian mythology and tells the story of Siegfried - a fearless hero who is not afraid of dragons and wild animals, but in the end he knows the fear of love for a woman.
7. Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5
Beethoven’s fifth symphony was at least partially heard by everyone: its introductory part is found in many films, video games, modern songs, etc.
Performed for the first time back in 1808, it is still relevant, and its motif makes its way to goosebumps. Beethoven himself spoke of him “So fate knocks on the door” and this fully reflects the essence (it is not for nothing that it is called the “motive of fate”).
It is noteworthy that the premiere of the symphony turned out to be a failure: the hall was cold, the audience was tired due to the prolonged concert, and the musicians made a mistake, because of which they had to start all over again.
In addition, the material was innovative for that time: the sound was unusual and bold, so not everyone liked it.
6. Gustav Canvas - The Planets
The most famous work of the English composer Gustav Holst, consisting of 7 parts. Each part of the suite is named after the planets: Mars, Neptune, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter. The author gave a description of each of the planets, which, in his opinion, reflected its character.
So, he called Mars a "messenger of war", Jupiter, in his opinion, "brings joy", and Venus, which is characteristic - a "messenger of the world."
The full suite lasts 50 minutes in a live orchestral performance, but may be shorter in processing (on a record or disc).
5. Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10
If you can definitely say about the previous musical creations when they were created, then with the tenth symphony of Shostakovich everything is more complicated.
According to some notes by the author himself, it was written in 1953, although others point to 1946.
Shostakovich's close friend, pianist Tatyana Nikolaeva, claimed that the composer completed work in 1951.
Be that as it may, the premiere took place on December 7, 1953 in Leningrad, and this symphony is considered one of the greatest works.
4. Robert Schumann - “The Poet's Love” (Dichterliebe)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky believed that in the history of music the 19th century was the “Schumann period”, admiring the work of Robert Schumann.
“Poet's Love” was written in 1840, when the composer was already known, but still did not work much with the vocal genre, although later it was he who would truly glorify it.
The author created music based on verses by Heinrich Heine, an outstanding German poet, whose work he addressed many times.
3. Gioacchino Rossini - The Barber of Seville (The Barber of Seville)
The opera did not immediately get its current name: the author originally called it “Almaviva, or Vain Precaution”.
The fact is that “The Barber of Seville” is primarily a play directed by Pierre Beaumarchais in 1773, and the first opera was written by Giovanni Paisiello, after 9 years.
The young and unknown Rossini directly turned to Paisiello, asking for his permission to use the plot of the play and the title. He allowed, because he was sure of Rossini's failure.
As a result, despite the disruption of the premiere (the performance was torn specially by order of Paisiello), Rossini became famous all the same, like his opera.
2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - “The Wedding of Figaro” (Marriage of Figaro)
Another iconic piece based on the play by Pierre Beaumarchais. This comic opera (opera buffa) was first presented in Vienna in 1786, and was conducted by Mozart himself.
By the way, the text of the opera itself, or rather the libretto (basis), was first translated into Russian by Tchaikovsky.
1. Hector Berlioz - “Fantastic Symphony” (Symphonie Fantastique)
Those who are familiar with the genre of program music probably know that it is Hector Berlioz who can be considered one of its founders.
The Fantastic Symphony became not only the composer's most famous work, but also brought the nascent genre to a new level, as it was one of the first large-scale works.
Prior to this, small works were carefully experimented and written with program music, and Berlioz was not afraid to make a 5-part symphony.