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Famous Music from the Classical Period
Part 3 (c.1750â1820)
March of the Swiss Army
by Gioachino Rossini (1792â1868)
The William Tell Overture serves as the opening to Gioachino Rossiniâs opera William Tell (Guillaume Tell), which premiered in 1829 as the composerâs final opera. After this work, Rossini largely retired from writing operas, focusing instead on cantatas, sacred compositions, and other vocal music. The overture is made up of four continuous sections that flow seamlessly from one to the next.
The final section, often called the “March of the Swiss Soldiers,” is in E major and features a rapid, energetic gallop led by trumpets and the full orchestra. It represents the Swiss soldiersâ triumph as they liberate their country from Austrian control. It has become one of Rossiniâs most famous and widely recognized orchestral works.
Ave Maria
by Franz Schubert (1797â1828)
âEllens dritter Gesangâ (âEllenâs Third Songâ), D. 839, Op. 52, No. 6, was composed by Franz Schubert in 1825 as part of his Op. 52, a set of seven songs based on Walter Scottâs narrative poem The Lady of the Lake, translated into German. The song is one of Schubertâs most popular works and is widely known today under the title Ave Maria, named after its opening words, a prayer addressed to the Virgin Mary. Franz Liszt also arranged the piece in three versions for piano, further increasing its popularity.
In Scottâs poem, Ellen Douglas sings a prayer to the Virgin Mary while her exiled father hides in the Goblinâs cave, calling for help as Roderick Dhu, the clan chieftain, passes nearby. Schubertâs setting was first performed at the castle of Countess Sophie Weissenwolff in Steyregg, Austria, to whom the work was dedicated. Over time, the melody became closely associated with the traditional Ave Maria prayer, often performed with simplified arrangements and different lyrics, giving the impression that Schubert originally composed it as a setting for the Catholic prayer.
Prelude Op.18
by CĂ©sar Franck (1778â1837)
Born in present-day Belgium and later becoming one of the defining figures of French Romantic music, CĂ©sar Franck was a composer, pianist, organist, and devoted teacher whose influence shaped an entire generation of musicians in Paris.
Among his most poetic and spiritually expressive works stands the Prelude, Fugue and Variation, Op. 18 (FWV 30), composed between 1860 and 1862 and dedicated to his friend, Camille Saint-SaĂ«ns. Written for organ, the piece reflects Franckâs deep understanding of the instrumentâs expressive power and architectural grandeur.
The performance featured here presents the work in its piano version, allowing its lyrical beauty and intimate character to shine in a different, yet equally compelling, light.Â
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Moonlight Sonata
by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770â1827)
The Moonlight Sonata, officially titled Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2, was completed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1801 and dedicated to his pupil, Countess Giulietta Guicciardi. The piece was already popular during Beethovenâs lifetime.
The name Moonlight Sonata was not given by Beethoven himself. It emerged after his death, inspired by a poetic description comparing the first movement to moonlight reflected on water. Although the title has been both praised and criticized, it has become inseparable from the workâs haunting opening movement.