What are the most popular symphonies?

Answer 1 :

• Beethoven Symphony No. 9
• Beethoven Symphony No. 5
• Mozart Symphony No. 40
• Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4
• Brahms Symphony No. 3
• Beethoven Symphony No. 7
• Dvorak Symphony No. 9
• Mozart Symphony No. 25
• Schubert Symphony No. 8
• Beethoven Symphony No. 6
• Haydn Symphony No. 94
• Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6

Answer 2 :The following are performed regularly due to their popularity and the genius behind them:

• Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
• Mahler Symphonies No. 5, 6, 9 & 10
• Mozart Symphonies No. 25, 35, 39, 40 & 41
• Beethoven Symphonies No. 3, 5, 6, 7 & 9
• Brahms Symphony No. 1, 4
• Schubert Symphony No. 8 'Unfinished'
• Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
• Bruckner Symphonies No. 4 & 8
• Tchaikovsky Symphonies No. 4, 5, 6
• Dvorak Symphony No. 9
• Sibelius Symphony No. 2

Answer 3:

By the numbers, Beethoven to present:

Symphony #1 - Brahms

Symphony #2 - Rachmaninov*

Symphony #3 - Copland

Symphony #4 - Tchaikovsky

Symphony #5 - Beethoven, Sibelius

Symphony #6 - Beethoven*

Symphony #7 - Bruckner

Symphony #8 - Nothing in the same league as the others; Bruckner is the closest.

Symphony #9 - Beethoven, Dvorak*, Schubert

*Start here if building a collection; you cannot miss.

The Brahms, Schubert and Beethoven symphonies are very lyrical in nature, easy on the ears. The Beethoven 6th is probably the most melodic, the 5th is a bit darker (the classic Da Da Da DAAAAA opening). The Beethoven 9th has the choral finale you've heard a million times (the "Ode to Joy"). Some critics called Brahm's 1st the Beethoven 10th, as he continued that musical school; the Schubert is a lot like the Brahms.

The Rachmaninov, Copland, Tchaikovsky and Dvorak are "noisier" with more brass and cymbals. They are great pieces for demonstrating your sound system. If you are not paying attention, they will go from zero to thundering in a second and make you jump. If you like percussion, these are the pieces for you. They are not background music.

The Bruckner and Sibelius pieces are best described as "majestic" with horns over strings, generally slower paced, building to gigantic climactic moments. If you like french horns, these are the pieces for you.

The Rachmaninov #2 and Bruckner #7 are heart-stoppingly beautiful, with gorgeous use of strings. If looking for classical background music, Beethoven's 6th is probably your best choice. The others will distract at points when they get going.

If you are surfing for particular movements or highlights from the pieces, check out the following (symphony # and movement #) - Bruckner 7/1; Sibelius 5/3; Beethoven 6/1; Tchaikovsky 4/1; Dvorak 9/1; Copland 2/4; Rachmaninov 2/2&3. Some of the great moments in Classical Music are in these sections. You can find excerpts on YouTube.