Because classical music isn’t a mainstream genre, it doesn’t get a lot of time on the radio. However, many people can hum certain compositions thanks to Hollywood movies, primetime television shows, Broadway, catchy advertisements, and other forms of media.
If you recognize some classical tunes but can’t name them, you’re not alone. In fact, one of the most famous compositions of all time is in more than 100 forms of media, including Old Spice and Hershey’s Spreads commercials. However, most people don’t know its name. To help you out, here’s a breakdown of a few classical songs you probably recognize but can’t name:
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik: Arguably the most recognizable piece of classical music of all time, Mozart creates a joyful energy and charm with this classic composition. Its notes are infectious, and listeners can’t help but hum along. In fact, it’s so cheerful that’s it’s used in a Nickelodeon Looney Tunes commercial.
- Gioachino Rossini, Overture to William Tell: Do you know why it’s hard to listen to this song and not think of Daffy Duck chasing Bugs Bunny? It’s because the famous trombone passage in Rossini’s composition was in Bugs Bunny’s Overtures to Disaster, where Daffy Duck and Porky Pig performed Rossini’s finale. It’s commonly recognized as a call to arms, leaving listeners imagining a herd of galloping horses in Westerns, like Bugs Bunny Rides Again (1948).
- Christian Petzold, Minuet in G Major: This delightful composition almost physically flutters through the ears of all who hear it. This minuet was originally thought to be Johann Sebastian Bach’s work, but historians have since discovered that the masterpiece was simply included in his book, Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, which was scripted with his wife’s name across the front. It’s actually accredited to German composer Christian Petzold.
- Bach, Toccata in D Minor: Tocattas have been written by many a composer, but Bach’s is probably the most famous. Within the first three notes, listeners will know exactly what this creepy organ composition is, thanks to its many appearances on the big screen over the years, including Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931); Fantasia (1940); 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954); La Dolce Vita (1960); and The Aviator (2004).
- Richard Wagner, Ride of the Valkyries: You may not have seen Wagner’s composition performed live, but it’s the background music for what some say is Warner Brothers’ most famous Looney Tunes sketch. What’s Opera, Doc? (1957) featured Elmer Fudd chasing Bugs Bunny through various opera sets. Wagner’s piece plays in the background, perfectly coinciding with the scene. It’s also in Apocalypse Now (1979) and The Blues Brothers (1980).
- George Handel, Hallelujah (Chorus): Most commonly heard in Catholic churches, Handel’s composition is a staple for religious choirs and Christmas movies. The powerful piece is often described as uplifting and spiritual, which could be why it’s used as a triumph song for holiday selections, including Santa’s Surprise (1947); Scrooged (1988); National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989); Annie Claus is Coming to Town (2011), and 12 Dogs of Christmas: The Great Puppy Rescue (2012).
- Carl Orff, O Fortuna from Carmina Burana: This is another highly recognizable piece thanks to hundreds of pop culture mainstays, including Excalibur (1981); Friends (1999); The Simpsons (2009, 2011); Glee (2009, 2011, 2013); and How I Met Your Mother (2014). Many listeners can hum the dramatic composition due to its haunting melody.
- Johan Strauss II, The Blue Danube Waltz: This composition sounds like something listeners should ice skate to, but its whimsical nature helped lead the way for 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), an iPhone 4 commercial, and the famous potato chip scene in The Simpsons.
Even if you’ve never heard of any of these songs, you’ve heard these songs. Pop culture has given a rebirth to classical music without the radio syndication, thanks to Hollywood movies, television shows, and advertisements.
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