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Overture - Thematic Index. Best Classical Tunes.
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Beethoven
Coriolan Overture Opus 62 (Beethoven) (Overture)
 
1 Sombre, dramatic introduction on strings
2 Main tune, quaver passage on violins
Egmont Overture Op 84 (Beethoven) (Overture)
1 A slow and sombre first theme
2 The second theme is a bit livelier, but still fairly dark in mood.
Fidelio Overture Op 72b (Beethoven) (Overture)
1 Fidelio Overture Op 72b
Leonora Overture No.3 Op 72a (Beethoven) (Overture)
1 This is the bold principal theme, tutti with plenty of brass.
2 A quieter secondary theme on woodwinds
Prometheus Overture Op 43 (Beethoven) (Overture)
1 Slow introduction
2 Fast energetic high passage in the dominant key, G.
Berlioz
Benvenuto Cellini - Overture (Berlioz) (Overture)
1 Main theme
Le Corsair - Overture (Berlioz) (Overture)
1 Main theme
Roman Carnival Overture (Berlioz) (Overture)
1 Roman Carnival Overture
Brahms
Academic Festival Overture Op.80 (Brahms) (Overture)
1 Opening theme
2 Wir hatten gebauet ein stattliches Haus (We have built a stately house)
3 Third theme
4 Alles schweige! (Hört, ich sing das Lied der Lieder)
5 Fuchsenritt (Was kommt dort von der Höh') (What comes from afar?)
6 Sixth theme 'Gaudeamus Igitur'
Tragic Overture (Brahms) (Overture)
1 First theme
Glinka
Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla (Glinka) (Overture)
1 Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla Theme 1
2 This is the second theme, unusually, introduced by the bassoons.
Gomersall
Aspirations Overture (Gomersall) (Overture)
1 Main theme introduced by the cello
Miniature Overture (Gomersall) (Overture)
1 First theme on strings, after a dramatic orchestral tutti introduction
2 A majestic tune emerges on violins and horns.
3 A contrasting theme on the horns
4 A brighter tune on a high trumpet
5 A lyrical tune on the first violins
Overture in E minor (Gomersall) (Overture)
1 First theme, horns play a passage with descending fifths
2 Flutes play this wistful tune
3 Violins introduce this cheerful theme
4 Clarinets play this jolly perpetual motion tune
5 Horns play this haunting theme
Tranquil Overture (Gomersall) (Overture)
1 Tranquil Overture
Mendelssohn
Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage - Overture (Meerstille und gluckliche Fahrt) (Mendelssohn) (Overture)
1 Most recognized theme
Fingal's Cave Overture "The Hebrides" Op 26 (Mendelssohn) (Overture)
1 First theme - a deep sombre tune on bassoons, violas and cellos.
2 2nd theme on flutes
3 3rd theme, a flowing melody on the cellos.
Ruy Blas Overture (Mendelssohn) (Overture)
1 First tune, a slow introduction.
2 2nd theme
3 3rd theme
4 4th theme
5 5th theme
Mozart
Abduction from the Seraglio - Overture (Mozart) (Overture)
1 First theme
2 Second theme
Magic Flute Overture (Die Zauberflote) (Mozart) (Overture)
1 Slow but solemly dramatic opening woodwind chords form the introduction.
2 Faster repeating quaver passages on the strings form the main theme of the overture.
Nicolai
Merry Wives of Windsor - Overture (Nicolai) (Overture)
1 A slowish introduction by cellos and basses
2 Second theme, a light passage by flutes and violins.
3 Third theme, a rapid passage by the violins.
4 Fourth theme, another memorable tune, played by the violins.
5 Fifth theme, a flittery counter-theme in a distant key, Ab
6 Sixth, an exciting tutti, leading to a development
Offenbach
La Vie Parisienne - Overture and entr'acte to Act 5. (Offenbach) (Overture)
1 Entr'Acte V. - Polka or Can-Can theme.
2 Entr'Acte V. - Waltz theme.
Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld (Offenbach) (Overture)
1 Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld Theme 1
2 Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld Theme 2 (Act 1 Duo)
3 Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld theme 3 Can-Can
4 Middle theme of the Can-Can.
5 Third and best known tune from the Can-Can
Rossini
La Gazza Ladra (The Thieving Magpie) - Overture (Rossini) (Overture)
1 First theme
2 Second theme
3 Third theme
4 Fourth theme
Semiramide Overture (theme) (Rossini) (Overture)
1 Opening theme on the horns.
2 Second theme, rapid repeated note passage on violins
3 Third theme on clarinets
The Italian Girl in Algiers - Overture to the opera (Rossini) (Overture)
1 First theme
2 Second theme
William Tell Overture (Rossini) (Overture)
1 William Tell Overture starts in a calm rustic manner, with slow rising minor arpeggio on the strings.
2 The storm scene, spinning strings, with splashes from oboes and flutes, leading to a massive crescendo.
3 Pastoral scene, call to the cows (ranz des vaches). Haunting cor anglais melody, with flute imitations and obligati.
4 The famous 'Cavalry Charge' tune, on strings, trumpets and horns.
Suppé
Poet and Peasant Overture (Suppé ) (Overture)
1 Intro fanfare on horns
2 This tune has been copied into several 20th century popular songs.
3 the time changes to a waltzy 3/8 for this breezy tune
Tchaikovsky
Festival Overture 1812, Op 49. (1812 Overture) (Tchaikovsky) (Overture)
1 Slow opening theme on strings.
2 Exciting new theme by the brass, with a strong military flavour.
3 Quote from La Marseillaise, the French National Anthem.
4 A quiet lyrical melody soars in the strings
5 The woodwinds play a sadder minor theme.
6 The Tsarist National Anthem of Russia is quoted, in counterpoint with theme 2. (Also in Tchaikovsky's Marche Slave)
Hamlet Fantasy Overture Op 67 (Tchaikovsky) (Overture)
1 First theme
Romeo and Juliet - Fantasy Overture (Tchaikovsky) (Overture)
1 First theme played by the strings
2 Dramatic, violent 2nd theme
3 Love theme - This is another of Tchaikovsky's immortal passionate melodies, introduced by the cor anglais..
4 The mood now becomes more peaceful.
Tempest - Fantasy Overture in F Op 18 (Tchaikovsky) (Overture)
1 After a short chordal intro by woodwinds, strings enter pianissimo
2 French horns enter piano, backed by the continuing string arpeggios.
Weber
Overture to Der FreischĂĽtz (Weber) (Overture)
1 Sombre and quiet introduction by the strings
2 Beautiful theme by the four french horns
3 Third theme, vivace, played by clarinets, in C minor.
4 Strings and flutes take over, still molto vivace.
5 Clarinets above pulsating strings
6 This fast tutti is probably the most recognizable tune in this overture
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