The Most Famous Piece of Music, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the piece you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 13, 2024 06:27

Music often serves as a backdrop for many of life's significant moments and can evoke powerful memories when heard after many years. Knowing which pieces of music have touched the most lives or held significance across different generations can provide a fascinating insight into cultural trends and collective emotions. Thus, understanding which compositions resonate with a wide audience offers both a historical record and a snapshot of current tastes. By participating in voting for the most famous pieces of music, individuals contribute to a dynamic, crowd-sourced ranking that reflects the collective preferences of a diverse group of music lovers. This interactive process not only allows users to see how their tastes compare with others but also helps to highlight influential works that may have shaped the music industry or been pivotal in cultural movements. Engaging with this ranking nurtures a deeper connection with music itself and fosters a greater appreciation of its role in society.

What Is the Most Famous Piece of Music?

1

76
votes
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9

Ludwig van Beethoven

This piece is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential works in the Western classical music canon, with its famous "Ode to Joy" chorus.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, also known as the 'Choral Symphony,' is a masterpiece that is regarded as one of the most beautiful symphonies ever composed. It is a dynamic and revolutionary work that showcases Beethoven's genius and innovative musical techniques.

Composition Year: 1822-1824

Genre: Symphony

Key: D minor

Movements: 4

Duration: Approximately 70 minutes
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult symphony to play
- Position 1 of 10 in Most beautiful symphony
2

32
votes
Mozart's Symphony No. 40

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

This piece is one of Mozart's most popular and recognizable works, known for its haunting opening melody.
Mozart's Symphony No. 40 is one of the most famous symphonies composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is known for its passionate and dramatic character, often considered a pinnacle of classical music.

Composition Year: 1788

Genre: Symphony

Key: G minor

Movements: 4

Duration: Approximately 25 minutes
3

20
votes
Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

This iconic ballet score has been performed countless times and is recognized around the world for its beautiful melodies and emotional depth.
Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake is a ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It is one of the most famous classical ballets, recognized for its captivating story and beautiful music. The ballet tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse, and Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with her. The tale explores themes of love, betrayal, and redemption, making it a timeless masterpiece in the world of ballet.

Composition Year: 1875-1876

Premiere Date: 4 March 1877

Original Choreographer: Julius Reisinger

Acts and Scenes: Four Acts, Four Scenes

Total Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
4

12
votes
Vivaldi's The Four Seasons

Antonio Vivaldi

This set of four violin concertos is one of the most popular and widely recorded pieces of classical music, with its distinct musical depictions of each season.
Vivaldi's The Four Seasons is a renowned instrumental composition consisting of four violin concertos. Each concerto depicts a different season of the year, capturing their unique characteristics and emotions.

Original Title: Le quattro stagioni

Composition Period: 1723

Genre: Baroque

Instrumentation: Violin soloist, string orchestra, and harpsichord

Form: Concerto
5

6
votes
Bach's Brandenburg Concertos

Johann Sebastian Bach

These six orchestral works are considered to be some of the finest examples of Baroque music, and are still widely performed and admired today.
The Brandenburg Concertos are a collection of six instrumental works composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in the early 18th century. They are considered some of the finest examples of Baroque music and are highly regarded for their intricate compositions and virtuosic instrumental performances.

Number of Concertos: 6

Instrumentation: Various combinations of strings, winds, and continuo

Composition Period: 1711-1720

Genre: Concerto grosso

Key Signatures: Various keys, including D major, F major, and G major
6

11
votes
Handel's Messiah

George Frideric Handel

This oratorio is a perennial Christmas favorite, with its famous "Hallelujah" chorus and stirring portrayal of the life of Christ.
Handel's Messiah is a renowned Baroque oratorio composed by George Frideric Handel in 1741. It is a sacred choral work and considered to be one of the greatest compositions in Western music. The oratorio tells the story of Jesus Christ through biblical texts from the Old and New Testaments.

Composition Year: 1741

Genre: Oratorio

Style: Baroque

Language: Primarily English

Duration: Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours
7

7
votes
Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat Major

Frédéric Chopin

This piano piece is one of Chopin's most popular and beloved works, known for its beautiful melody and evocative mood.
Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat Major is a beautiful and hauntingly lyrical piano piece. It belongs to a set of 21 nocturnes composed by Frédéric Chopin, a renowned Polish composer and virtuoso pianist. This particular Nocturne was composed in 1830 and remains one of Chopin's most famous and beloved works.

Key: E-flat Major

Genre: Nocturne

Composition Year: 1830

Duration: Approximately 4-5 minutes

Form: ABA (Ternary) form
8

7
votes
Debussy's Clair de Lune

Claude Debussy

This piano piece is one of Debussy's most famous and recognizable works, with its dreamy, impressionistic sound.
Clair de Lune is a serene and ethereal instrumental piece of music that exudes beauty and tranquility. It is the third movement in Claude Debussy's Suite bergamasque, a four-movement piano composition.

Genre: Impressionistic

Key: D♭ Major

Meter: 9/8

Tempo: Andante très expressif

Duration: Approximately 5 minutes
9

7
votes

Strauss's Also sprach Zarathustra

This orchestral work is perhaps best known for its use in the opening sequence of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and is a popular choice for graduation ceremonies and other celebratory occasions.
10

7
votes
Pachelbel's Canon in D

Johann Pachelbel

This piece is one of the most frequently played and recognized pieces of classical music, with its simple yet beautiful melody and harmonies.
Pachelbel's Canon in D is a Baroque piece of chamber music composed by Johann Pachelbel in the late 17th century. It is a highly recognizable and beloved composition widely regarded as one of the most famous and influential works of its time. The canon is written for three violins and basso continuo, featuring a repeating and progressively layered melodic line. Its serene and timeless beauty has made it a popular choice for weddings, commercials, and other cultural contexts.

Genre: Baroque

Composition Year: late 17th century

Instrumentation: 3 violins and basso continuo

Key: D major

Form: Canon

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Ranking factors for famous piece

Historical and cultural significance

Assess the impact the piece has had on the music world and the broader culture. This can include its influence on other composers and musicians, as well as its role in shaping social and political attitudes.
Popularity and recognition

Determine how well-known the piece is, both in its time and to current audiences. This can involve looking at sales figures, chart performance, and other indicators of commercial success, as well as how frequently the piece is performed or referenced in contemporary culture.
Critical acclaim

Consider the opinions of music experts, such as critics, scholars, and historians. Their judgments can offer valuable insights into the artistic merits of a piece.
Innovativeness and originality

Evaluate how the piece has pushed boundaries or challenged traditional conventions in its composition, instrumentation, or subject matter. This can include assessing the creative techniques used or the ways in which it has introduced new styles or genres.
Enduring appeal

Assess how well the piece has aged, and whether it continues to be enjoyed and appreciated by subsequent generations. This could also involve considering any revivals or reinterpretations of the work.
Accessibility

Determine how easily the piece can be enjoyed and understood by a wide range of listeners, both in terms of musical complexity and emotional resonance. Pieces with greater accessibility might be considered more famous, as they can reach a broader audience.
Awards and accolades

Review any awards, honors, or distinctions the piece has received, as these can be benchmarks of its quality and impact.
Composer or performer reputation

Consider the status and legacy of the composer or performer(s) associated with the piece, as their recognition can contribute to the fame of the work.
Impact on music education

Analyze the piece's role in music education, including its prevalence in curricula, textbooks, and pedagogy. Works that are frequently studied or taught can become more famous due to their importance in shaping future musicians and music scholars.
Emotional resonance

Assess the piece's ability to evoke strong emotions or create a lasting impression in the listener, as works that can move people emotionally are more likely to be remembered and become famous.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous piece of music. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or piece is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1577 views
182 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each piece once every 24 hours. The rank of each piece is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous piece of music

Music has been a part of human culture for thousands of years, and with the advent of technology, it has become more accessible than ever before. From classical symphonies to pop hits, music has the power to evoke emotions, memories, and even political movements. But what is the most famous piece of music? This question has been debated for decades, with many different answers depending on who you ask. Some might argue that it's Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9," while others might say it's "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. However, one thing is for sure: the most famous piece of music is one that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with people all over the world. So, whether you prefer classical or contemporary music, there's no denying the impact that music has on our lives and culture.