Classical Instrumental Works for Orchestra

WERTHER, an opera in four acts by Jules Massenet (1842-1912), found its inspiration in a novel by Goethe, The Sorrows of Young Werther, which in turn based its story on the actual suicide of a young m...

A dream inspired Charles Tomlinson Griffes (1884-1920) to compose The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Kahn, based on the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The composer originally wrote it for piano in 1912. Fou...

A dream inspired Charles Tomlinson Griffes (1884-1920) to compose The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Kahn, based on the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The composer originally wrote it for piano in 1912. Fou...

Italian composer Amilcare Ponchielli's (1834-1886) 4-act opera La Gioconda was first performed by La Scala in Milan on April 8, 1876, and was an immediate success, acting as a bridge between the Verdi...

Alexander Borodin's (1833-1887) Symphony No. 3 in A minor was written between 1886 and 1887. However, it remained unfinished at the time of his death, with only a sketch of the first movement and a co...

Alexander Borodin's (1833-1887) Symphony No. 3 in A minor was written between 1886 and 1887. However, it remained unfinished at the time of his death, with only a sketch of the first movement and a co...

Richard Strauss (1864-1949) wrote Four Lieder (Four Songs), Op. 27 for voice and piano originally in 1894, and they are among his greatest songs, when taken as a set. While the text came from a trio o...

Richard Strauss (1864-1949) wrote Four Lieder (Four Songs), Op. 27 for voice and piano originally in 1894, and they are among his greatest songs, when taken as a set. While the text came from a trio o...

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...

Franz Liszt (1811-1886) composed the DANTE SYMPHONY, S. 109 (EINE SYMPHONIE ZU DANTES DIVINA COMMEDIA), inspired by Dante Alighieri's DIVINE COMEDY, between 1855 and 1856. Structured in two large move...

Symphony No. 16 in C Major, K. 128 was composed when Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was 16 years old. It was the first of three written in May 1772 while he stayed in Salzburg. The first movement...

Symphony No. 16 in C Major, K. 128 was composed when Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was 16 years old. It was the first of three written in May 1772 while he stayed in Salzburg. The first movement...

Written between 1879 and 1881, Anton Bruckner's (1824-1896) Symphony No. 6 was considered his "boldest symphony" by the composer, though many critics of the time would have certainly disagreed. It is...

Written between 1879 and 1881, Anton Bruckner's (1824-1896) Symphony No. 6 was considered his "boldest symphony" by the composer, though many critics of the time would have certainly disagreed. It is...

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) completed his first published work for orchestra, RAPSODIE ESPAGNOLE, between 1907 and 1908, dedicating the work to the Belgian violinist Charles de Bériot. The Orchestre des...

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) completed his first published work for orchestra, RAPSODIE ESPAGNOLE, between 1907 and 1908, dedicating the work to the Belgian violinist Charles de Bériot. The Orchestre des...

Originally written for piano four hands in 1879, Hungarian Dances (WoO 1), a set of 21 lively dance tunes mostly based on Hungarian themes, are among Johannes Brahms' (1833-1897) most popular works to...

Originally written for piano four hands in 1879, Hungarian Dances (WoO 1), a set of 21 lively dance tunes mostly based on Hungarian themes, are among Johannes Brahms' (1833-1897) most popular works to...

Originally written in 1899 by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) for solo piano, and later orchestrated by the composer, PAVANE POUR UNE INFANTE DÉFUNTE (PAVANE FOR A DEAD PRINCESS) remains one of the enduring...

Originally written in 1899 by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) for solo piano, and later orchestrated by the composer, PAVANE POUR UNE INFANTE DÉFUNTE (PAVANE FOR A DEAD PRINCESS) remains one of the enduring...

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) wrote his SYMPHONY No. 1 in D major, Hob. I:1, at the beginning of his role as music director for Count Karl Joseph Franz Morzin. Composed in 1757, it opens with a slow...

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) wrote his SYMPHONY No. 1 in D major, Hob. I:1, at the beginning of his role as music director for Count Karl Joseph Franz Morzin. Composed in 1757, it opens with a slow...

Likely written by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) in 1763, Symphony No. 16 in B-flat (Hob. I:16) was among the first symphonies written when Haydn was employed by the Esterházy family. In three movements, th...

Likely written by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) in 1763, Symphony No. 16 in B-flat (Hob. I:16) was among the first symphonies written when Haydn was employed by the Esterházy family. In three movements, th...