WHERE TO START?

TOP 12 SHORT ORCHESTRAL PIECES

JULY 26TH, 2021

Top 12 short orchestral pieces

to get you started on listening to classical music. Why top 12? There are 12 notes we use in music (not counting micro-tones! Maybe we’ll talk about micro-tones later), so all lists will be counts of 12.

Big Disclaimer! This is our personal opinion.

The works we chose are all orchestral pieces. For new members of the classical music pasture, this means you'll hear violins, violas, cellos, and all sorts of strings aplenty; you'll listen to trumpets, trombones, and tubas galore; clarinets, flutes, bassoons, oboes, bass clarinets, piccolos, French horns

… snare drums, bass drums, marimbas, xylophones, kettle drums, gongs, chimes, we can't take it anymore…

The point is you'll hear an assortment of instruments in orchestral pieces; maybe not all we've listed above, but you'll listen to many instruments being played by professional musicians who are deciphering the instructions that composers left for them. The ultimate investigator, the conductor, works to combine these complex glyphs and give detailed direction to his team of performers. At times, the conductor has to take complete control over the interpretation to ensure all 70+ musicians work in harmony. Other times, the conductor is open and allows his team to provide their beliefs on what these masters of music left for them to read. In the end, it all comes together in an audio blend of different colors, strokes, brushes, layers, hues to create an image of reality or a complex abstract view of the world.

We know what you must be thinking. We completely derailed the original purpose of this post, but do not fear. We are now back to the main subject.

Yes, these 12 works are all symphonic works, but we still enjoy operas, chamber works, solos, choral works, etc. This is only our first top 12 list. There will be plenty more lists after this one. There will also be revisions. These 12 works may not stay in these positions forever. We had tough decisions to make and had many contenders for these illustrious spots.

This list is perfect if you just finished reading our previous post, "Why Classical Music." These 12 pieces, we hope, will ease your entry into the vast pasture of classical music.

One more thing! Before we list these great works, we want to get you into the mindset we used to create this list of masterworks. Mostly all the pieces are under 10 minutes, with some of the classical music under 5 minutes. Since this may be your first time listening to classical works (not in the background; completely attentive to the music), we wanted to choose pieces that were shorter and felt complete in 10 minutes or less. We are all busy in this technological age, and we are always moving quickly. If you aren't ready to sit and listen to an hour+ work, this is the best way to start. We did cheat with one of the pieces. We couldn't help ourselves. It's such a great work, and it's only slightly over 10 minutes.

For those familiar with the music, we did allow for overtures. These works can stand on their own and are commonly performed separately in symphonic programs, apart, but never distant, from their original intention. We also limited the works to one per composer. We didn't want to duplicate composers, even though there were times we tried to cheat. There are many composers, and we wanted to give each one their fair chance at making this list without having composers that we enjoy dominate the competition. You'll see a reasonably good representation of composers. Many are European composers, but what else would you expect. Symphonic music was their bread and butter, and the number of European composers is astounding. Go ahead! After you finish this list (obviously), check out how many European composers there are. It's truly overwhelming.

We tried to give as many works their fair chance to make this list. We listened to hundreds of pieces, and there are most likely thousands. It would not be easy to hear every single potential work that would fit into the criteria we set. Lucky for you, if there is a work you think should have made the list, we included a comment section below, so please feel free and share as many pieces that you think we should consider for the revision of this list or a potential future list. We’re always hungry to listen to new works; primarily one's we've never heard.

Now that we've set the rules, we'll start the list.

#12 – Claude DEBUSSY
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun

Honestly, number 12 was the most challenging work to choose. We had many potential options, but the main reason we chose Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun is mainly because it is so different from the other works. Other than this being a definitive work in the orchestral literature that many great symphonies perform, it has a very ethereal quality that you don’t find too often in many composers. Debussy perfected this style and was a leader in the late 19th century and early 20th century with his music that elicited an almost dreamlike sensation.

Debussy crafted sweeping blurry lines with his works that bring you into the world that he creates. You can almost sense and feel the water slowly falling from dew leaves as the faun slowly wakes up from his nap. Highly recommend you listen to this work with your eyes closed and let the music carry you to where it’s headed; you’ll enjoy it so much more.

#11 – Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Marriage of Figaro Overture

Mrs. Teevee was utterly wrong. The password was not a work from Rachmaninoff; it was from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. For those who are fans of the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, you’ll understand what we mean.

When creating this list, we almost wanted not to include Mozart. We all know his music. He’s commonly touted as the music you play for your baby if you want them to grow up and be a genius. We won’t go into the science if this is true, but we imagine there are studies somewhere.

Alas, we could not not include Mozart. His well-known Marriage of Figaro is an opera with many memorable melodies and motifs that you’ll instantly recognize, such as in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as mentioned above. Orchestras around the world so often perform the overture to his grand opera. It’s a great piece to end the night with an encore. You’ll be humming the main melody after you leave the concert hall. You may end up wanting to be an opera singer. Who knows where this work will take you, but we recommend letting it take you wherever it leads you.

#10 – Florence PRICE
Dances in the Canebrakes

Just call us a sucker for works that make you feel like you’re out in nature. We know we’re entirely guilty.

This was a surprise work that we instantly loved after initially listening. In our search for works under 10 minutes, we found Florence Price’s Dances in the Canebrakes. It was originally composed for piano, but William Grant Still did a fantastic job orchestrating it for a full symphony orchestra. Is it cheating since it wasn’t originally for orchestra? You can decide, but we will continue to enjoy this great work written in the United States of America. This work is only one of two written in the USA, so cut us some slack if you can.

When we hear the work, we see Southern Americana and its beautiful prairies, grasslands, the swaying of trees in the wind, the water rushing through the river, and the feeling of adventure that you can only get when out in nature exploring all its wonders. This piece is another eye closer. Please do it again, and let the music carry you as you would a river while following its natural flow and direction.

#9 – Jean SIBELIUS
Finlandia

Did you feel a chill in the air? We just did with the opening of Finlandia by Sibelius.

Also, guess how this piece makes me feel. You’re right. Yes, it feels like we’re out in nature again. Get used to this; it’s going to happen a lot.

Instead of the beautiful prairies of Southern Americana, we feel the chills and cold landscape of Finland with all its beautiful scenery, views of mountains, cold forests, cold rushing streams, and icy landscapes. We have never been to Finland, but after hearing this piece, it’s now on the top of our list of places to visit.

If you haven’t guessed it, Sibelius is a Finnish composer. It’s no surprise he would write a piece called Finlandia.

Other than the feeling of nature, you may feel after hearing this piece. You’ll most likely remember its strong opening, which does come back again in the middle of the work—almost Jaws like, but in reverse.

This work was very close to Number 9 (Dances in the Canebrakes). The only reason it edged it out was because it used a lot of brass, and we’re also a sucker for lots of brass; the more brass the better. We can’t wait for number one now; so much brass in that one.

#8 - Jacques OFFENBACH
Orpheus in the Underworld overture

Dark tones, chilling harmonies, erratic melodies, screeching techniques, and eerie atmosphere that you would expect from a work with Underworld in its name won’t necessarily be anticipated in Offenbach Orpheus in the Underworld.

Instead, you’ll hear flowing beautiful melodies, a lightness and almost waltz-like energy, and what we believe one of the most well-known sections in music, even if you didn’t know it was in this work. Named the ‘Galop Infernal,’ the tune is instantly recognizable from use in film, cartoons, shows, and possibly as a final number for a dance show; it’s a great high energy piece with high “kick” potential.

#7 - Johannes BRAHMS
Hungarian Dance No. 5

Show stopper? Relief Pitcher? Music that gets you up and clapping?

All descriptions could be used to describe Brahm’s Hungarian Dance No. 5. It’s one of the shortest works on this list and is known to be played as an encore. It’s a high energy crowd-pleaser that will get you on your feet to enjoy the last minutes of a performance.

Rules be damned when this piece is played. Enjoy yourself, get up, and join in the fun when the Hungarian Dance makes a surprise entrance at the end of a concert.

#6 - Arturo MARQUEZ
Danzón No. 2

Arturo Marquez is the only Latin composer on this list and the only composer who greatly tempted us to break the rules on including only one work per composer.

Marquez has many works that fit the criteria that we set to create this top 12. Do we have time to change the rules? No … no … we’re too far into the list now. We’re halfway through, can’t cheat anymore. We’ve cheated once, which you’ll see soon in spot number 2.

Danzón No. 2 is a work that incorporates so much of the Latin culture, using rhythms, instruments, and folk melodies. It also makes you want to dance. Go ahead and try. We challenge you to listen to this work without bobbing your head or moving your body. Even the musicians have trouble not getting into the music. In the video sample, they’re bouncing, moving, and feeling the music.

#5 - Leonard BERNSTEIN
Candide Overture

In honesty, we almost forgot about this work. We were minutes away from closing the list for the top 12, and somehow Bernstein’s Candide Overture jumped into our heads. Our reaction: “Should we forget what we heard? Or should we go through the voting elimination process again?”

Since we’re talking about this work, you know the answer. It does deserve to be this high. It’s another high energy work that will make it hard for you not to put a smile on your face. Its light-heartedness will bring you back to days of watching Saturday morning cartoons. As you know from my comments in Finlandia, a lot of brass will elevate a piece for us to higher levels, and you guessed it, there is a lot of brass in this work.

#4 – Camille SAINT-SAËNS
Danse Macabre

What can we say about a piece with such a big opening statement in the first few moments? It's no wonder this work is used so often in TV shows, movies, or with Halloween related events.

Saint-Saëns Danse Macabre is a good fun dance-like work with xylophone simulating the beating of a skeleton's rib cage … but it's all in good fun. You can trust us.

If we didn't say anything about the xylophone, you might not have gotten that image in your head, but now it is. You'll forever hear it, but it's not all bad think of it as a fun Halloween cartoon, less grim and more Disney.

The other significant part of Danse Macabre is the beautiful violin melody, which floats on top of high energy intensity beneath it.

Saint-Saëns may have had in mind a more haunting subject when writing this work, but it's fast-paced and light-hearted energy makes it more cheerful than grim. If we ever make a classical music Halloween top 12 list, this piece will definitely make it in, but how far will it go? We'll have to see later.

#3 - Paul DUKAS
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

This piece needs no introduction. You most likely know it all too well due to one famous and adored mouse. Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice has been made very popular due to its inclusion in Disney's Fantasia, the scene with the sorcerer, brooms, apprentice (aka Mickey), and one extraordinary hat.

Disney chose the work, so you know it's going to be full of fun, high energy. We can try with all our might not to remember Fantasia's scene when listening to this work, but it's almost impossible now. The brooms march, a frantic apprentice trying to gain control, crashing waves, and the sorcerer who brings everything back into control. We see it all just by listening to this work.

But don't let it fool you. The Sorcerer's Apprentice without Disney is still great.

#2 – Richard WAGNER
”Tristan und Isolde” Prelude

We've finally made it to number 2 and the one that we did cheat on. This work is slightly over the 10-minute mark, but after you hear it, you'll understand why we were lenient.

Wagner's “Tristan und Isolde” is a love story … a story about passionate, sensual love. The prelude does a fantastic job of getting you ready for the opera. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with its intensity and constant growing tension. You'll feel the two lovers' undying emotions with unresolved harmonies that only grow as the work goes on and reaches its climax.

The prelude to “Tristan und Isolde” is also one of the slower works on this list, so many of the works have high energy, which can be expected in many shorter works. This piece is different. Instead of high, fast-paced energy, the music slowly grows in intensity, and even when it fades in the end, it still fades with the same power. The undying passion and love sustain throughout the entire piece, making it one of our favorite short works under 10 minutes … well, cheating under 10 minutes.

#1 – Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
Festive Overture

We've made it to number 1. One of our all-time favorite short works for orchestra, and guess what? It has a lot of brass.

Shostakovich's Festive Overture is a powerful, high-energy short work that if a Russian Disney World were ever created, this would be what you would hear when you enter. If someone is reading from Disney, please make this happen. We will be the first to sign up and go to the new park.

The beginning starts with a full brass fanfare, a glorious demonstration of the brass section's ability to create an opening statement that will get you up and out of your seats.

This masterwork of the orchestral genre is full of fun for strings and woodwinds too. They have fast-paced runs adding to the playfulness of the piece. Violins have a beautiful, moving melody. The work is so intense that it feels like you started driving at 80mph and never stopped once to take a breath or slow down. Maybe you slow down once for a short second near the end, but you pick it up back to 80mph.

We truly love this piece, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Closing Statement

As mentioned above, this is just our opinion. We can easily see different short orchestralpieces that could have made the top 12. We have at least a couple hundred more other options, which we might make into other lists down the road. If there was a work that you love that didn't make the list, share the piece's name along with the composer below. It might make a future list or the revision to this list later down the road.