The Entertainer by Scott Joplin
The Entertainer is a ragtime classic written in 1902 by Scott Joplin, ‘the King of Ragtime.’ It is a very popular piece for the piano.
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Prelude and Fugue in C Major by Johann Sebastian Bach
Prelude and Fugue in C Major is a simple keyboard piece written by Johann Sebastian Bach and included in the book ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier.’
The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah by George Frideric Handel
German composer George Frideric Handel’s most famous work, ‘Messiah,’ is one of the most popular choral works in Western culture. The words were written by Charles Jennens in 1741 and based off of verses in the Bible. Handel spent only 24 days composing the music! The Messiah became very popular and still remains popular … Read more
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor is a piece for organ written by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was popularized when it was included in the Disney film Fantasia in the 1940s – if you’ve seen it you should recognize this piece!
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, Allegro, by Johann Sebastian Bach
The Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach are regarded as some of the best orchestral works of the Baroque period (about 1600-1750). Bach (1685 – 1750) was a noted German composer whose music is still valued for its beauty, skill, and depth.
Ranz des Vaches, William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini
This is the third section of the famous ‘William Tell Overture’ by Gioachino Rossini. It is a calm and peaceful piece of music, featuring a ‘call to the cows.’ This piece is often used in cartoons to show that it is dawn on a peaceful morning!
William Tell Overture Finale (March of the Swiss Soldiers) by Gioachino Rossini
This is not the complete version of the William Tell Overture, but it is one of the most famous sections! The Finale, also known as the March of the Swiss Soldiers, is a very famous piece of music. William Tell is an opera written by the Italian composer Gioachino Rossini which premiered in 1829. … Read more
Carmen: Prelude to Act 1 by Georges Bizet
Carmen is a very famous opera written by the French composer Georges Bizet in 1875. It was the last opera he ever wrote, because he died suddenly. It was only after his death that the opera became famous, but now it is so well-known that you will probably recognize some of this music!
Semper Fidelis by John Philip Sousa
‘Semper Fidelis,’ Latin for ‘always faithful,’ is the motto of the United States Marine Corps. The march of the same name, written by John Philip Sousa, is their official march! He composed it in 1888 after a request by US President Chester Arthur for a new piece of music to be played around the … Read more
Hungarian Dance No. 5 by Johannes Brahms
Hungarian Dance No. 5 is the most famous of a set of 21 lively dances that Brahms composed, based on traditional Hungarian themes. The dances were completed in 1869.