Classical Instrumental Works for Orchestra

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...

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...

CHARLES GOUNOD (1818-1893) was a prolific French composer in the mid 1800s, but he was not well recognized by his peers or the public until his opera FAUST was first performed in Paris in 1859. The op...

CHARLES GOUNOD (1818-1893) was a prolific French composer in the mid 1800s, but he was not well recognized by his peers or the public until his opera FAUST was first performed in Paris in 1859. The op...

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) drew material for his NORWEGISCHE TÄNZE, Op. 35 (4 NORWEGIAN DANCES), originally scored for piano and four hands, from an 1853 collection of Norwegian folk tunes compiled by L...

The great Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's poem "Peer Gynt," one of his greatest works, tells the tale of a young man so full of bravado, exuberance of spirit, wanderlust, and wantonness, that his...

The great Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's poem "Peer Gynt," one of his greatest works, tells the tale of a young man so full of bravado, exuberance of spirit, wanderlust, and wantonness, that his...

SIGURD JORSALFAR, OP. 22, was composed by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) for a play by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson in honor of King Sigurd I. First performed in Christiania on April 10, 1872, the incidental music...

SIGURD JORSALFAR, OP. 22, was composed by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) for a play by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson in honor of King Sigurd I. First performed in Christiania on April 10, 1872, the incidental music...

This edition of George Frideric Handel's (1685-1759) most famous work was adapted for performances in Vienna by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). Suggested by Gottfried van Swieten, the German libr...

This edition of George Frideric Handel's (1685-1759) most famous work was adapted for performances in Vienna by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). Suggested by Gottfried van Swieten, the German libr...