The air-clearing, mood-setting purpose of overtures, not to mention the fact that they are often choc-full of the best tunes of the works they introduce, makes them among the most musically arresting works in the repertoire. So it’s no surprise that they are hugely popular as standalone concert works and amongst discerning 8notes members.
Here is our definitive list of the absolute best of them, together with links to sheet music, so you can try them out for yourself. If you can’t find a version for your instrument, remember that members can request new versions at any time.
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Dvořák wrote his Symphony No.9, ‘From the New World’ whilst director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City from 1892 to 1895. The title refers to the continent of America not merely as the expression of the composer’s novelty at being in a new land, but as an acknowledgement that the work is deeply inspired by the music and culture of the United States.
The symphony was an instant success, remaining to this day one of the most popular in the repertoire—themes from it, above all the gorgeous Largo that forms the second movement, are amongst our most popular pieces here on 8notes.
Here’s the full story of Dvořák's most iconic, epic and most American of works.
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Down the centuries the harp has been an instrument associated with images of heaven, with cherubim and seraphim strumming in celestial surroundings. In the hands of even an average player it is certainly capable of producing feelings of rapture, of transportation to a higher, more heavenly plane. It's not surprising, therefore, that many composers have been inspired to write for this most exquisite, most divine of instruments. Here are 10 of our favourite works.
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Debuting in 1940, Walt Disney’s Fantasia was groundbreaking in a number of ways. The ambition of its animation, which included meticulous studies of animals, humans and other objects, the use of stop-motion animation and even the unrealised plan to film one section in 3D, was unprecedented. Its sound, which occupied a fifth of the whole budget, was also realised in a new ‘Fantasound’ format, the precursor of modern day surround sound.
Disney had used classical music in previous animations, but this was was a more ambitious in concept. Working with renowned conductor Leopold Stokowski, Disney and his team developed a sequence of animated segments, each with programatic elements closely linked to the accompanying classical music. The aim was to entertain whilst introducing audiences to great works of the classical canon.
By any measure, it seems to have worked, with Fantasia now considered one of the greatest works of animation of the twentieth century. And Disney’s use of, albeit already popular, classical works, has certainly helped to bring these pieces to wider audiences.
Here is our guide to this great work of animation, with links to all the sheet music, so you can play Fantasia on your own instrument (and if you can’t find what you need, remember that members can request new versions of pieces!).
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For many the recorder is an instrument they remember from their childhoods, either learning to play it in primary school, or seeing it unloved in a box of classroom instruments.
Despite this, the recorder is one of history's truly great musical instruments. Ancient in its origins, it was of central significance in the Renaissance and Baroque eras and was the forerunner of modern woodwind instruments. Though it declined in popularity as the flute was invented, composers never entirely stopped writing for it. It also continued to be a useful as a first musical instrument, especially for those aiming to instruments such as the flute or the clarinet. And in the twentieth century it experienced a massive revival as the period performance moment took off, leading in turn to renewed interest from composers.
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There always been an aura of magic to the Ave Maria. Recited three times a day by committed Catholics, the text addresses itself to Mary, the mother of Jesus. It is devotional and highly personal, giving the worshipper a very real sense of connection with the divine. It’s small wonder then that it has been a huge source of inspiration to composers down the centuries, resulting in some fine works of classical music. Many of these are hugely popular with our members on 8notes, but there are also a few you might not have heard of that deserve your attention. Here are our favourites.
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Consistently one of our most played and downloaded Christmas pieces here on 8notes, Joy to the World is an essential part of Christmas, whether that be in candlelight services, grand concert arrangements or as a backing soundtrack in shops, bars and malls. It is particularly popular in North America, featuring in around 1400 hymnals in the region. Despite its Yuletide popularity, however, ‘Joy to the World’ is not not really a carol at all.
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Polish composer Frédéric Chopin (1810- 1849) wrote more than his fair share of great piano music. Amongst his incredible catalogue of compositions, one stands out: his Nocturne, Op. 9 No. 2 in Eb. This nocturne, ranked among the top ten most popular classical pieces on 8notes, owes its appeal to its exquisite melodic craftsmanship, innovative application of ornamentation, refined structural balance, and its accessibility—both emotionally for listeners and technically for pianists.
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Some of the greatest trumpet repertoire was written during the baroque era, from roughly 1600–1750. This was despite the instrument of the time being relatively crude—in essence a pipe with a flared bell at one end and a mouthpiece at the other. Valves, which allow the instrument to play melodies across the instrument’s whole range, were not invented until the nineteenth century.
You probably already know that 8notes.com has a huge range of pieces and we've tried to arrange everything in a way that makes things easy to find. One thing we realised has been lacking is a progressive series of pieces for beginners.
What does 'progressive' mean? Simply that the pieces add concepts gradually as the series goes on. So the first pieces have just one note (often middle C), extra notes are gradually added, as are concepts like rests, articulation and dynamics. It's a great way to learn an instrument, much like the famous 'method' books many people use when they're first starting out.
Our first few books are now live, we have Progresive Method for Trumpet, Progresive Method for Trombone, Progresive Method for French Horn, and Progresive Method for Flute.
Stay tuned for more coming for other instruments very soon.
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