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Famous Music from the Romantic Period
Part 2 (c.1750â1820)
March of the Swiss Army
by Gioachino Rossini (1792â1868)
The William Tell Overture is the opening music to Gioachino Rossiniâs opera William Tell (French: Guillaume Tell), which premiered in 1829. This opera was the final one in Rossiniâs remarkable career of 39 operas, after which he largely retired from stage composition, though he continued to write cantatas, sacred music, and secular vocal works. The overture itself is structured in four continuous sections, each flowing seamlessly into the next.
Over the years, the overture has become famous both in classical circles and in popular culture. Its rousing finale is widely recognized as the theme for The Lone Ranger across radio, television, and film, and it has become strongly associated with the imagery of galloping horses.
Prelude in E Minor
by FrĂ©dĂ©ric Chopin (1810â1849)
The Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28 No. 4 is one of FrĂ©dĂ©ric Chopinâs 24 preludes (sometimes referred to as 23 in certain editions), completed by January 1839. Unlike many of his virtuosic compositions, this prelude is relatively simple in technique.
Despite its technical simplicity, the piece is profoundly expressive, conveying deep melancholy and introspection. Its understated beauty has made it a favorite among pianists and audiences alike, illustrating Chopinâs remarkable ability to evoke emotion with minimal material.
Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy
by P. I. Tchaikovsky (1840â1893)
The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is one of the most famous pieces from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovskyâs 1892 ballet The Nutcracker. It appears as the third movement of the pas de deux in Act 2, performed by the principal female dancer and choreographed by Lev Ivanov.
This enchanting dance is closely associated with the celesta, a unique keyboard instrument that Tchaikovsky introduced to Russian audiences on 19 March 1892 during a performance of the Nutcracker Suite by the Russian Musical Society. Its delicate, bell-like sound became inseparably linked to the Sugar Plum Fairy and her magical movements. Today, the dance remains one of the balletâs most beloved numbers, frequently adapted for television specials and holiday performances.
Hungarian Dance N1
by Johannes Brahms (1833â1897)
The Hungarian Dances (German: Ungarische TĂ€nze, WoO 1) are 21 energetic dance pieces by Johannes Brahms, composed between 1869 and 1880. Originally written for piano four hands, many of the dances were later arranged for solo piano and various ensembles.
Inspired by Hungarian folk and âgypsy-styleâ music, Brahms first encountered these rhythms while performing with the violinist Ede RemĂ©nyi. Most dances are based on traditional melodies, though a few, like Nos. 11, 14, and 16, are entirely his own. Famous examples include No. 1 and No. 5, the latter drawn from the csĂĄrdĂĄs BĂĄrtfai emlĂ©k by BĂ©la KĂ©ler.
Celebrated for their lively rhythms and infectious melodies, the Hungarian Dances remain among Brahmsâs most popular and enduring works.