Download Top 10 Classical Works You Know, but You Don`t Know

Top 10 Classical Works You Know, but You Don't Know-You can sing it, but you
can't name it! By Aaron Green, About.com Guide
As all forms of mass media continue to expand, many movies, television programs, and commercials are
continually including classical music in their soundtracks. And as people are becoming more and more
familiar with classical music, naturally, their desire to seek and find a particular work increases.
However, the problem is that many people don't know the name or composer of the piece. My solution
(although small and could never cover the vast amounts of classical music) is to provide you with a list of
the top requested and inquired about classical works I receive on a continual basis. Here are ten classical
music works you know, but you don't know.
No. 1: O Fortuna from Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff
•By far the most inquired about classical work, O Fortuna is played in hundreds of movies, television
programs, commercials, and other forms of media. Many who have heard this famous piece can hum
the melody and often describe it as haunting, foreboding, and big. O Fortuna is the opening movement
to Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, a work for large orchestra, choir, and solo vocalists. [London Symphony
link] •Hear O Fortuna in the movies Cheaper by the Dozen, Natural Born Killers, and The Bachelor.
No. 2: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C-sharp minor, by Franz Liszt
•When I heard this piece for what I thought was the first time, I was surprised by how familiar it was.
After listening to it several more times, it suddenly hit me… I heard it in a Bugs Bunny cartoon 15 years
ago (Rhapsody Rabbit, 1946). He was performing the piece in front of a large audience amongst many
distractions. I don’t think cartoons are made like that anymore. [Fledermaus link; Rhapsody Rabbit link]
•Hear Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C-sharp minor in the movies Delirious, Who Framed Roger Rabbit,
and Shine.
No. 3: Sous le dôme épais (Flower Duet) from Lakme, by Delibes
•Already well known, Delibes’s Flower Duet was made ever-increasingly popular by British Airway’s use
of the work in a fairly recent advertising campaign. This classic piece features a duet between a
coloratura soprano and and a mezzo-soprano. [British Airways link] •Hear Delibes’s Flower Duet in the
movies The American President, Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, and Meet the Parents.
No. 4: Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin
•Almost anyone can recognize Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Like, Orff's O Fortuna, Rhapsody in Blue is
featured in many movies and television shows. Some consider it strictly jazz while others say it's
classical, when in all actuality, it's a perfect combination of both. Here's an interesting fact, when
Gershwin was commissioned to write the piece, he wrote it so speedily he didn't have time to compose
the part for piano. At its first performance, Gershwin improvised the piano part. Later, it was finally
composed. [Disney link; New York City link] •Hear Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue in the movies Fantasia
2000 and Manhattan.
No. 5: Dies Irae from Verdi’s Requiem
•A great “power” song, people all over the world, even those who dislike classical music, appreciate this
work. Verdi’s Dies Irae is arguably the most well-known and recognizable movement of the work.
Although, many classical music lovers can tell you the name and composer of the piece, the great
majority of the world cannot. Its heart pounding rhythms and driving melodies are truly awe inspiring.
[link] •Hear Verdi’s Dies Irae in the movies Battle Royale and Water Drops on Burning Rocks.
No. 6: Dies Irae from Mozart’s Requiem
•Although drastically different from Verdi’s, Mozart’s Dies Irae does not lack in intensity and
ferociousness. Composed in 1791, this was the last work written by Mozart. The Requiem is a very
popular piece, not only due to its beauty, but also for its mystery. There are many myths surrounding
the exact details on how the Requiem was completed. Mozart died before the work was finished; it was
Süssmayr who actually completed the work. [Electric Guitar link] •Hear Mozart’s Dies Irae in the movies
X-Men 2, Duplex, and The Incredibles DVD – Jack-Jack Attacks.
No. 7: Nessun Dorma from Turandot, by Puccini
•Nessun Dorma, a deliriously beautiful aria, is known by millions of people, but if you ask them to sing it,
they can’t. Why? Because many of them don’t put the name with the song. Nessun Dorma became a
household tune, possibly due to the huge success and marketability of the three tenors (Jose Carreras,
Luciano Pavarotti, and Placido Domingo), as well as being played in many movie soundtracks. [Meryl
Streep link] •Hear Puccini’s Nessun Dorma in the movies Chasing Liberty, Man on Fire, and Bend in like
Bekham.
No. 8: Movement 2 from Symphony No. 7, Beethoven
•The second movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 is an extremely memorable piece, and the
most popular of the four movements. The commanding melodic line repeated throughout the
movement’s entirety will give you chills as it progresses. Completed in 1812, it has been enchanting
audiences ever since. [Guitar Quartet link] •Hear Movement 2 of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in the
movies Mr. Hollands Opus, Immortal Beloved, and Cowards Bend the Knee.
No. 9: Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walküre, by Wagner
•Featured in cartoons and movies, and everything in between, children and adults alike are very familiar
with this piece. To many, Ride of the Valkyries represents the stereotypical large opera female
festooned with braids, horned helmet, and metal breastplate with spear in hand. Although a wonderful
piece, Ride of the Valkyries loses some of its magic among all this pop culture. [Apocalypse Now link;
Blues Brothers link] •Hear Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries in the movies Apocalypse Now, The Blues
Brothers, and Full Metal Jacket.
No. 10: Peer Gynt Suite No.1, 'Morning', by Grieg
•Synonomous with the rising sun, Grieg’s 'Morning' from Suite No. 1 is known by one and all. Children
become familiar with this piece early on, as it is played in many cartoons. Unfortunately, the song titles
of songs played are not credited in the ending credits, and even if they were, would kids even notice? I
doubt it. [Orchestra link] •Hear Grieg’s 'Morning' from Suite No. 1 in the movies Raising Cain and Soylent
Green.
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…and more link.