Classical Instrumental Works for Orchestra

LA MER was the second of Claude Debussy's (1862-1918) three orchestral works in three sections. Although the composition of LA MER took him more than a year and a half, this was unusually quick progre...

LA MER was the second of Claude Debussy's (1862-1918) three orchestral works in three sections. Although the composition of LA MER took him more than a year and a half, this was unusually quick progre...

Léo Delibes' (1836-1891) Coppélia (1870) is a comic ballet that tells the story of a sinister doctor who has made a beautiful, life-sized dancing doll (the title character) and the young man who becom...

Léo Delibes' (1836-1891) Coppélia (1870) is a comic ballet that tells the story of a sinister doctor who has made a beautiful, life-sized dancing doll (the title character) and the young man who becom...

Léo Delibes (1836-1891) looked to a play of the Italian Renaissance, Torquato Tasso's AMINTA, for narrative material when composing his full-length ballet SYLVIA. Choreographed by Louis Mérante, with...

Léo Delibes (1836-1891) looked to a play of the Italian Renaissance, Torquato Tasso's AMINTA, for narrative material when composing his full-length ballet SYLVIA. Choreographed by Louis Mérante, with...

Don Pasquale, regarded as one of the crowning gems of comic opera, had its first performance on January 3, 1843 by the Theatre-Italien at the Salle Ventadour in Paris. Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) co...

Don Pasquale, regarded as one of the crowning gems of comic opera, had its first performance on January 3, 1843 by the Theatre-Italien at the Salle Ventadour in Paris. Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) co...

Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904) composed his SYMPHONY No. 5 in F Major, Op. 76, in the summer of 1875. Originally published as SYMPHONY No. 3, it received its first performance at the Prague Zofín concert...

Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904) composed his SYMPHONY No. 5 in F Major, Op. 76, in the summer of 1875. Originally published as SYMPHONY No. 3, it received its first performance at the Prague Žofín concert...

Popularly know as the "New World Symphony," Antonín Dvorák's Symphony No. 9 in E minor was composed in 1893 while he was the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America. A major part of...

In October 1880, as he was completing his sixth symphony, Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904) wrote to his publisher Fritz Simrock that he wanted to complete a set of duets for piano in the next month. On Janu...

In October 1880, as he was completing his sixth symphony, Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904) wrote to his publisher Fritz Simrock that he wanted to complete a set of duets for piano in the next month. On Janu...

Composed by Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904) in the spring of 1883, SCHERZO CAPRICCIOSO IN D-FLAT MAJOR, Op. 66/B. 131 is a favorite of the concert hall not only for its colorful humor but also for its rest...

In October of 1898, Edward Elgar returned home after a long day of teaching, ate dinner, then sat down at the piano to doodle on the keys. Elgar described what followed: “In a little while, soothed an...

In October of 1898, Edward Elgar returned home after a long day of teaching, ate dinner, then sat down at the piano to doodle on the keys. Elgar described what followed: “In a little while, soothed an...

The Pavane in F-sharp minor, Op. 50, is by French composer Gabriel Fauré written in 1887. It was originally a piano piece, but is better known in Fauré's version for orchestra and optional chorus. Obt...

The Pavane in F-sharp minor, Op. 50, is by French composer Gabriel Fauré written in 1887. It was originally a piano piece, but is better known in Fauré's version for orchestra and optional chorus. Obt...

Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) wrote the Dolly Suite, Op. 56, originally as a collection of six pieces for piano duet. Each short work marked the birthday or other event in the life of the daughter of Emma...

Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) wrote the Dolly Suite, Op. 56, originally as a collection of six pieces for piano duet. Each short work marked the birthday or other event in the life of the daughter of Emma...

César Franck's (1822-1890) SYMPHONY IN D MINOR is the French composer's best-known orchestral work. In three, rather than four, movements, the work's shape is attained through thematic transformation,...

Le Chasseur maudit (The Accursed Huntsman) is a symphonic poem by Romantic composer César Franck (1822-1890). Inspired by the ballad Der wilde Jäger (The Wild Hunter) by German poet Gottfried August B...

Russian composer Aleksandr Glazunov (1865-1936) had a particular love for ballet, and that love for the genre drove him to compose the eight-dance suite SCÈNES DE BALLET, Op. 52 in 1894. The work was...

Russian composer Aleksandr Glazunov (1865-1936) had a particular love for ballet, and that love for the genre drove him to compose the eight-dance suite SCÈNES DE BALLET, Op. 52 in 1894. The work was...

Hänsel und Gretel, a Märchenspiel (Fairy-tale opera) in three acts, was written by Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921) in 1890-1892, with a libretto by his sister Adelheid Wette. Humperdinck began to wo...