Classical Music
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You are not a fan of classical music? Great, then this is the correct commodity for you! These classical music pieces may not be found in your playlist, but we are very sure that you know them still!

In this article, we want to show yous 15 classical music pieces that you have surely heard before, even when you can not pinpoint down where exactly. You lot can hear them in commercials, TV serial, movies – or even in other music. Nosotros are sure that some if not all of the post-obit pieces volition take an "aha-effect" on you. 😉

Fifteen Classical Music Pieces You Know

From Beethoven to Tchaikovsky – start the videos beneath and find out where you lot accept heard this music before.

Für Elise – Ludwig van Beethoven

The famous Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor from Ludwig van Beethoven is more commonly known as "Für Elise" which translates to "For Elise". There is quite some speculation almost who this mysterious Elise may take been, it is nigh likely that Beethoven dedicated the piece to Theresa Mafatti, ane of his students.

If y'all practiced the piano as a child or erstwhile in your life, it is more than likely that you take stumbled upon "Für Elise" sooner or afterward. If you didn't acquire to play the pianoforte at one point in your life, the tunes of this classical slice may still sound familiar to you:

  • In 2002, rapper Nas used samples of "Für Elise" in his striking single "I Can"
  • The 2003 motion picture Elephant, inspired by the Columbine school shooting, makes use of "Für Elise" in a haunting way
  • In "A Charlie Brown Christmas", Schroeder performs "Für Elise", explaining the slice's clan with Christmas
  • The series "2 and a Half Homo" makes use of "Für Elise" every bit the telephone ring tone of Alan Harper

In The Hall Of The Mountain King – Edvard Grieg

Edvard Grieg composed "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" (or "I Dovregubbens hall" in Norwegian) for the play Peer Gynt. It was used for scene 6 in deed 2. Thus, it is also known as Peer Gynt's Suite No. 1, Op. 16.

Many references to this piece by the Norwegian composer tin can be found in pop culture:

  • "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" has been interpreted by many music artists, including:
    • Apocalyptica
    • The Who
    • Savatage
  • The piece has also been used in some movies, such as:
    • Rat Race
    • The Social Network
  • "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" was partly used for the opening song of the cartoon series "The Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog"
  • Advertisements for the Alton Towers resort brand use of the tunes of "In The Hall Of The Mountain Rex"

Dance Of The Saccharide Plum Fairy – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

"Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" is part of the ballet "The Nutcracker". Information technology appears towards the terminate in deed 2, scene 14. This particular slice is among the most recognizable ones of the ballet.

Due to it's up-beat nature and happy tune, "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" is commonly used in pop culture:

  • A cappella band Pentatonix released "Trip the light fantastic Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" on their holiday anthology in 2014
  • According to Beavis, "Dance Of The Saccharide Plum Fairy" sounds like Ozzy when it was used in the opening of the Beavis and Butt-head Seasons's Greetings video
  • In the MythBusters Demolition Derby Special, heavy metallic music and "Dance Of The Saccharide Plum Fairy" are used to contrast the working styles of Adam and Jamie
  • In the NEW version of Tetris, "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy" is available as groundwork music
  • The tune can be plant in many other video games also, including:
    • Bioshock
    • Lemmings
    • Wii Wintertime Olypics
    • Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Altitude
    • G Theft Auto Five

Orchestral Suite No. 3 In D Major – Johann Sebastian Bach

The "Orchestral Suite No. iii In D Major" is the best known out of the iv orchestral suites Bach composed. Fifty-fifty more famous is the 2d movement of the suite that is also known as "Air on the G string". It is a part of the suite that is composed differently than the rest and places the violins in the foreground. This solo for the cord instrument was actually not bundled by Bach himself, but past August Wilhelmj, a violinist.

Lets encounter where you may have heard this one before:

  • Most well known is, probably, the usage of "Orchestral Suite No. iii In D Major" in "Everything's gonna exist alright" by Sweetbox from 1997
  • The "Orchestral Suite No. 3 In D Major" often plays in the background of many movies such as:
    • Sleepy Hollow
    • Se7en
    • Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
    • Halloween
    • The Devil's Advocate
  • Many Television serial also use "Orchestral Suite No. 3 In D Major", such as:
    • How I met Your Mother
    • The Looney Toons Show
  • Of class, the piece is merely equally popular in video games, including:
    • Gran Turismo iv
    • Gun Dealer
  • Information technology was also used for an advertisement for Hamlet cigarettes

Pachelbel's Canon – Johann Pachelbel

This piece is commonly known every bit, simply, "Pachelbel's Canon", only is likewise referred to every bit "Canon in D Major". During Pachelbels life, his music was quite pop, but got forgotten presently thereafter. Just in 1970, the "Pachelbel's Canon" regained popularity and was performed more ofttimes again. Upwardly until the early 2000s, the canon heavily influenced many other musical artists.

Lets have a wait at the pop music that was influenced by this piece and other instances where yous may have heard "Pachelbel's Canon" earlier:

  • The post-obit songs used tunes or samples from "Pachelbel's Canon" to a bigger or lesser extend:
    • Coolio – C U When U Get There
    • The Farm – All Together Now
    • Pet Shop Boys – Go West
  • Other artists accept shown the influence of "Pachebel'south Canon" in their work, like:
    • Dark-green Day – Basket Case
    • Ralph McTell – Streets Of London
    • Oasis – Don't Look Back In Anger
  • The canon was likewise heavily used in different TV Serial, such as:
    • New Daughter
    • Grimm
    • How I Met Your Mother
    • Parks And Recreation
    • Doctor Who
    • The Simpsons
    • Firm
  • Some video games besides didn't shy away from using "Pachebel'due south Canon", like:
    • BioShock Infinite
    • Gran Turismo iv
  • Of course, it besides made it'southward way in some movies and short films, such as:
    • Disney'south Tangled Ever After
    • The Proposal
    • Fantastic Four: Ascent Of The Silver Surfer
    • Wedding Crashers
    • Dude, Where's My Machine

Moonlight Sonata – Ludwig van Beethoven

The classical piece known as Moonlight Sonata (or German "Mondscheinsonate") is really Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. fourteen.  It is said to take inspired Frédéric Chopin to etch his "Fantasie-Impromptu". While the piece was, even in Beethoven's times, critically acclaimed, he considers it one of his less expert compositions for the piano. he name Moonlight Sonata was attributed to the piece by a critic from Berlin who compared it to a nightly scenery on the Lucerne lake (Switzerland).

This masterpiece by Beethoven has left it'south banner in popular culture as well:

  • After hearing Yoko Ono playing "Moonlight Sonata" on the piano, John Lennon was inspired to write "Considering" for The Beatles
  • John Lennon really modeled "Considering" afterwards what he heard when he asked Yoko Ono to play the song backwards
  • "Moonshine sonata" was used in many movies such every bit
    • Immortal Dearest
    • Total Recall
    • Misery
    • Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart'southward "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (translating to "A trivial night music") has been composed as "Serenade No. 13 for strings in M major" by the Austrian prodigy. Information technology was composed in Vienna while Mozart worked on his opera "Don Giovanni". Since many of Mozart'southward serenades was written equally a commission, information technology's possible that "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" was 1 too.

"Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" is oftentimes associated with ballrooms and fancy dancers. Hence why it'due south often used for such scenes in unlike movies. Lets run across where else you may have heard it earlier:

  • Among the many movies that use "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" are:
    • Tim Burton's Batman
    • Alien
    • Daddy Day Care
    • There'southward Something Almost Mary
    • Ace Ventura
    • Charlie's Angels
  • "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" is also the championship of a German movie from 1940 about the live of Mozart effectually the time he wrote "Don Giovanni"

Habanera – Georges Bizet

"Habanera" is the more well known proper noun of "L'flirtation est un oiseau rebelle" (translating to "Love is a rebellious bird"), an aria from the opera "Carmen" past Georges Bizet. This aria marks the first appearance of the titular grapheme of Carmen in the opera. Bizet adjusted the aria from a piece written by a composer that dies only 10 years prior to the composition of Carmen,  Sebastián Yradier.

This famous French aria can be heard in various movies and other media.

  • The following movies used "Habanera" at one point, among others:
    • Pixar's Upward
    • Bad Santa
    • Superman Returns
    • 11:xiv
  • The "Habanera" can too exist heard in the episodes of many TV series, such as:
    • Medico Who
    • Glee
    • Mad Dogs
  • Many cartoon serial also made utilize of the aria, including:
    • The Ren & Stimpy Show
    • Animaniacs
    • Backbone The Cowardly Dog

Ode To Joy – Ludwig van Beethoven

The "Ode To Joy" (also known past the German name "Freude Schöner Götterfunken") was part of the concluding movement of Beethoven'due south Ninth Symphony. Information technology's the musical setting for a poem written past High german poet Friedrich Schiller.

Why does it sound and so familiar?

  • In 1972 (and later again in and 1985), "Ode To Joy" was adopted equally the official anthem of the European Matrimony
  • Many movies have too made use of the pompous ode, such as:
    • A Clockwork Orange
    • Aid!
    • Die Hard
  • From 1996 to early on 1998, WWF wrestler Triple H (however known as Hunter Hearst Helmsley at that point) used "Ode to Joy" as his entrance vocal
  • Many television receiver stations play the ode as the closing theme for the Summertime Olympics and Winter Olympics
  • Information technology was likewise used in the anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion"

Morning Mood – Edvard Grieg

Once more, Norwegian composer provided a memorable and ofttimes-used piece of music for Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt. "Morning Mood" (or original Norwegian ("Morgenstemning") is the first movement of the "Suite No. ane, Op. 46". This happy and light melody is often associated with, as the name suggests, a beautiful morning time with birds awakening and the dominicus rise.

Only like "In The Hall Of The Mountain Rex", "Morning Mood" can exist found in many pop cultural instances:

  • The German band In Mood used "Forenoon Mood" every bit a sample for their collaboration with Juliette to create the song "Ocean Of Calorie-free"
  • In the popular drawing serial The Simpsons, "Morning Mood" plays equally a cheeseburger is gracefully unwrapped in the early sunlight, among other usages every bit well
  • Movies fabricated employ of the happy "Morning Mood" to set a scene equally well, including:
    • Soylent Green
    • The Volume Of Life
    • Jackass 3D
  • "Morning time Mood" also found it'S place in many TV Series apart from The Simpsons, such every bit:
    • Modern Family
    • Misfits
    • The Big Bang Theory
    • Animaniacs

Wilhelm Tell Overture – Gioachino Rossini

Every bit many pieces on this list, the "Wilhelm Tell Overture" was created for an opera of the aforementioned name. Specially the finale of the overture is well known and commonly used in popular culture present.

Following are some of the about prominent uses of the "Wilhelm Tell Overture" in more modern times:

  • The "Wilhelm Tell Overture" was famously used as the theme vocal for both "The Lone Ranger" (radio show, Television series and picture) and "The Adventures Of Wilhelm Tell" (TV series)
  • Information technology was heavily and oftentimes used by the Warner Borthers' icons Bugs Bunny and Duffy Duck in various episodes of the serial
  • Other TV series used the "Wilhelm Tell Overture" every bit well, including The Flinstones
  • Many advertisements also used the overture since it is apparently suiting to target a male audition, such as:
    • Reebok
    • Honda
    • Lark Cigarettes
  • Nearly famously, the "Wilhelm Tell Overture" was used in the "A Clockwork Orange" movie during the infamous orgy scene
  • Many sporting events liked and still like to apply the overture, like:
    • the Hong Kong Jockey Club
    • the Indiana Academy for their baseball games
  • Covers and adaptations of the overture were particularly popular past rock and metal bands such as Manowar in their "William's Tale"

Ride Of The Valkyries – Richard Wagner

"Ride Of The Valyries" (or German language "Walkürenritt") is the almost famous role of Richard Wagner's opera "Die Walküre". In the opera, the piece is used for a scene the 8 Valkyrie sisters of Brünnhilde. Greeting each other with their boxing cries, the eight sisters go gear up to bring the fallen heroes to Valhalla.

Especially in it's instrumental version, information technology is frequently used until today:

  • Wagner's "Ride Of The Valkyries" is well-nigh famous for its usage in many movies, such as:
    • Apocalypse Now
    • Rango
    • Watchmen
    • Skyfall
  • In unlike goggle box serial, "Ride Of The Valkyries" could be heard also, for example:
    • The Simpsons
    • Breaking Bad
    • The Wire
    • Scrubs
  • From September 2010 until today, "Ride Of The Valkyries" or adaptations of the song are used as WWE performer Daniel Bryan'south entrance music
  • "Ride Of The Valkyries" besides inspired the string part in "Y'all Spin Me Circular (Like A Record)" by Expressionless Or Alive
  • Different companies as well used "Ride Of The Valkyries" for their commercials:
    • Apple
    • Google
    • IHOP
    • Nissan
    • Toyota

Boléro – Maurice Ravel

Initially, the ballet "Boléro" was composed as a commission by Ravel, becoming his nearly famous composition. It's most prominent features are the increment of volume and speed throughout the piece.

rave"Boléro" has been used in pop culture a lot outside of the usual ballet setting it was written for:

  • Rufus Wainwright's song "Oh What A World" uses "Boléro" as a counter-melody
  • Frank Zappa admired the piece and so much that he even performed it on his 1988 world tour
  • Side by side to the picture titled after the "Boléro", it was used for a variety of other movies as well, including:
    • 10
    • Eddie The Hawkeye
  • Many television series played the ballet, such equally:
    • Doc Who
    • Digimon Adventure
    • IT Crowd
    • Baby Einstein
  • Initially, "Boléro" should take been used for Nintendo's The Legend Of Zelda, even so due to copyright bug, an original soundtrack was composed

The Blue Danube – Johann Strauss II

"The Bluish Danube" is how Johann Straus Two's waltz "An Der Schönen Blauen Donau" (lit. "By The Beautiful Blueish Danube") is known in English. It'due south one of the most well known pieces of the Austrian composer. Fifty-fifty though it was not likewise popular during Strauss' time, the instrumental version particularly gained wide popularity in later years.

Thus, information technology's no wonder "The Blue Danube" left its mark on pop culture:

  • The Viennese version is the unofficial national anthem of Austria
  • It is, until today, played at midnight on New year'south Eve on Austrian public television and radio stations
  • About prominently "The Blueish Danube" was used in 2001: A Space Odyssey
  • Other movies where you tin can hear "The Blueish Danube" include:
    • Horton Hears A Who!
    • Tooth Fairy
  • Equally a parody, "The Blue Danube" plays in a The Simpsons episode where Homer Simpsons travels to space
  • The waltz plant it's identify in other television serial as well, such equally:
    • Lost
    • Futurama
    • The Big Bang Theory
    • Sherlock
  • Among the advertisements that utilize "The Bluish Danube" were:
    • HP
    • Emirates
    • JBL
    • Doritos
    • Crayola

Also Sprach Zarathustra – Richard Strauss

"As well Sprach Zarathustra" ("Thus Spoke Zarathustra" in English) is the musical estimation of a philosophical novel past Friedrich Nitzsche, equanimous by Richard Strauss. The piece is known as a tone poem.

Particularly the beginning of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is easily recognizable from different movies, series and more:

  • Nearly prominently, "Besides Sprach Zarathustra" was used in 2001: A Space Odyssey
  • Other movies that made use of the tone-poem include:
    • Zoolander
    • Magnolia
    • The Simpsons Motion picture
    • Pixar'due south Toy Story ii
    • Pixar'due south Wall-E
  • "Also Sprach Zarathustra" was oftentimes used either individually or in directly reference to 2001: A Space Odyssey in different tv set serial as well, such as:
    • The Big Bang Theory
    • Futurama
    • 3rd Stone From The Sunday
    • The Simpsons
  • Almost through all his career, WCW and WWE star Ric Flair used "Likewise Sprach Zarathustra" as his entrance theme, handing it downward to his daughter Charlotte who uses a remixed version for her WWE entrances