Buzz
Classical music has frequently been linked with national pride, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This collection features ten composers, primarily from the Classical and Romantic periods, who exemplify this tradition. Don’t forget to share your own picks in the comments.
10. Italy Giacomo Puccini
Italian composers are most renowned for their operas, and what magnificent operas they created! These works encapsulated the essence of Western classical opera, utilizing arias and overtures to their fullest potential.
Despite strong competition from Rossini and Verdi, Puccini stands out as my favorite for Italian operas. His works span exotic settings like Madama Butterfly, the humor of Gianni Schicci, and the romance of La Boheme. As he once stated, he composed with the fiery passion of an Italian.
Puccini’s operas have had a profound impact across cultures. Fans of *Mr. Bean’s Holiday* will recall Mr. Bean lip-syncing to *O Mio Babbino Caro* from *Gianni Schicci*. Similarly, Pavarotti popularized *Nessun Dorma*, though many don’t realize it originates from *Turandot*. For this list, I’ve selected a lesser-known gem: *Senza mamma* from the one-act opera *Suor Angelica*, which tells the story of a nun who sacrifices her illegitimate child. This aria is arguably Puccini’s most heart-wrenching composition.
Further Listening: *Un Bel di Vedremo* from *Madama Butterfly*, *Sì, Mi Chiamano Mimì* from *La Boheme*, and *Vissi D’Arte, Vissi D’Amore* from *Tosca*.
9. England Edward Elgar
England, unfortunately, lacked significant musical talent during the early Romantic period. Aside from the Baroque composer Henry Purcell, the country saw little musical innovation (Handel, though active in England, was German).
Edward Elgar emerged as a transformative figure, reviving English music by infusing it with melodies unique to the British Isles. His sweeping Romantic compositions resonated deeply with British patriotism, especially during the outbreak of World War I.
Undoubtedly, his most renowned work is *Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1* (featured above). The chorale section, *Land of Hope and Glory*, has become England’s unofficial anthem. This march is a staple at graduation ceremonies across North America. Additionally, the *Nimrod* movement from his *Enigma Variations* is often performed on Memorial Day.
Further Listening: *Cello Concerto* (particularly when performed by Jacqueline du Pré) and *Symphony No. 1*.
8. Soviet Union Dmitri Shostakovich
In the Soviet Empire, music and the arts were perilous pursuits; even a minor misinterpretation could result in exile to the Gulags. Amidst this climate of oppression and secrecy, a new artistic movement emerged: Socialist Realism.
Dmitri Shostakovich was the composer who masterfully integrated this new art form with music. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he remained in Russia after the revolution. Under Stalin’s watchful gaze, he composed works that were twice condemned, and he lived under constant surveillance.
Under these challenging conditions, Shostakovich composed his remarkable symphonies. Unlike the grandiose German symphonies, his works were concise and grounded in reality. Each symphony narrated a story, such as the siege of Leningrad (*Symphony 7*), the October Revolution (*Symphony 2*), and the 1917 revolutions (*Symphony 11*). I’ve selected the second movement from his *String Quartet No. 8*, which captures the tension Shostakovich faced—composing music that subtly criticized communism while avoiding detection. This quartet features a motif linked to one of his symphonies and an obscure song, *The Barbaric Artist*, which metaphorically depicts the destruction of Russia (a beautiful painting) by communism (the barbaric artist). The emotional depth of this quartet is profound, and I highly recommend listening to all its movements.
Further Listening: *String Quartet No. 8*, *Jazz Suite No. 1*, *Symphony 15*.
7. Norway Edvard Grieg
The Scandinavian nations have cultivated their own distinct composers, whose works are steeped in Nordic mythology. Their compositions often drew inspiration from gods, elves, and monsters of ancient pagan lore.
Grieg took these themes and transformed them into timeless melodies that remain popular today. Pieces like *In the Hall of the Mountain King* and *Anitra’s Dance* are universally recognized, even if their origins are not widely known. He composed music for nationalistic plays and infused his songs with Norwegian pride. As Grieg himself put it, his music carried the distinct flavor of codfish.
Further Listening: *Piano Concerto*, *Peer Gynt Suite*, *Holberg Suite*.
6. Bohemia Antonín Dvo?ák
Dvo?ák’s name is notoriously difficult to type and pronounce (Duh-VOR-Zhak), but that didn’t hinder his rise to becoming one of history’s most beloved composers. Bohemia, more an ethnicity than a nation, was part of the Austrian Empire and is now within the Czech Republic. Historically oppressed by foreign languages and cultures, Bohemia celebrated when composer Smetana wrote operas in their native tongue, achieving immense success.
Dvo?ák sought to revive Bohemian culture. Though he spent his life attempting to write operas, his true fame came from his symphonies and chamber works. Invited to conduct in America, he left Bohemia for better opportunities. Ironically, while he aimed to promote Bohemian music, his most enduring legacy is a symphony dedicated to America. Above is his *Cello Concerto*, performed by Jacqueline Du Pré—her rendition remains unmatched. I’ve selected the second movement, showcasing Du Pré’s brilliance (particularly from 1:40 onwards).
Further Listening: *Symphony No. 9 ‘From the New World’*, *Symphony No. 8*, *Cello Concerto*, *Humoresque*.
5. France Claude Debussy
At the close of the 19th century, a musical revolution erupted. Serialism gained popularity, dismissing melody as overly sentimental. Meanwhile, Impressionism flourished in France, embracing the elegance of simplicity. Claude Debussy emerged as the leading figure of impressionist music, drawing inspiration from the East. He incorporated the pentatonic scale of Asian music and the exotic whole-tone scale into his compositions.
His music mirrors the art of his era—serene and focused on capturing motion. Recall the piano piece in *Twilight*? That was *Clair de Lune*, his timeless masterpiece.
Further Listening: *Arabesque*, *Clair de Lune*, *La Mer*, *Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune*.
4. Hungary Béla Bartók
Bartók, a remarkable 20th-century composer, remains underappreciated today. He traveled extensively across Hungary, documenting the melodies and rhythms of folk music, earning him recognition as a pioneer of ethnomusicology. His deep affection for his homeland is evident in all his works. Above is *The Miraculous Mandarin*, one of his most celebrated pieces, brimming with the theatrical flair characteristic of his style. You should explore more of his music, starting with the recommendations below. The video clip also features a conductor who might remind you of Austin Powers—just kidding, it’s Dohnányi.
Further Listening: *Duke Bluebeard’s Castle* (Opera).
3. Germany Richard Wagner
Germany has long been the heart of classical music, home to legends like Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, the Strauss family, and Bruckner. Yet, no composer captures the German spirit as intensely as Richard Wagner. Wagner remains a controversial figure; his anti-Semitism made him Hitler’s favorite composer, and his music is often linked to fascism.
Wagner revolutionized opera, creating monumental works that were uniquely his own. He abandoned Italian traditions to forge a distinctly German style. His operas explored themes of love (*Tristan und Isolde*), mysticism (*Der fliegende Holländer*), and Nordic mythology (*The Ring Cycle*). His magnum opus, *Der Ring des Nibelungen* (The Ring of the Nibelung), spans four operas and roughly 15 hours, embodying his vision of *Gesamtkunstwerk*—a fusion of music, drama, poetry, and mythology. While I considered choosing a lesser-known piece, let’s be honest—everyone loves *Ride of the Valkyries*, so here it is.
Further Listening: *Der Ring des Nibelungen* - *Das Rheingold*, *Die Walküre*, *Siegfried*, *Götterdämmerung*. *Tristan und Isolde*. *Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg*. *Der fliegende Holländer*.
2. Austria Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Distinguishing between Austrian and German music is challenging—both nations share a intertwined history and cultural heritage, including language. Yet, Austria gave birth to a composer who reshaped history: Mozart. He elevated the symphony and string quartet, forms pioneered by Haydn, to such heights that music transitioned from a religious function to a pure art form.
Mozart’s life was tragically short, and his *Requiem* remained unfinished at his death. Nonetheless, the *Requiem* features some of the most unforgettable music ever composed, including the *Kyrie*, *Dies Irae*, and *Lacrymosa*. His prolific output spanned symphonies, operas, masses, concertos, string quartets, and sonatas. For the clip above, I’ve chosen *Ave Verum Corpus*, a lesser-known but breathtakingly beautiful work that listeners will undoubtedly appreciate.
Further Listening: *Requiem in D minor*, *Der Hölle Rache* from *Die Zauberflöte*, *Piano Concerto No. 21*, *Symphony No. 40*, *Coronation Mass*.
1. Poland Krzysztof Penderecki
Yes, not Chopin! While Chopin was a phenomenal composer, his style wasn’t as distinctly Polish as Penderecki’s. Penderecki incorporates Polish melodies and texts into his works, creating compositions that are unmistakably Polish. A 20th-century composer, Penderecki gained fame with his piece *Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima*. This work employs unconventional techniques to produce a haunting and unsettling sound—press play above, but brace yourself, as it’s intense from the start.
In his *Polish Requiem*, Penderecki blends the traditional Roman requiem mass with a Polish hymn at the conclusion, crafting a mass that is deeply rooted in Polish identity.
Further Listening: *Stabat Mater*, *Credo*, *Lacrymosa*, *Te Deum*.
+ Charles Ives
Choosing between Aaron Copland and Charles Ives was challenging, but my fondness for Ives tipped the scales in his favor. As a young man, Ives sought to capture the essence of New England—its parades, celebrations, and everyday life—through his music. He masterfully blended these nostalgic sounds with innovative and often avant-garde musical styles. While Copland may surpass Ives in popularity, Ives stands out as arguably the most technically accomplished American composer. The piece above, *The Unanswered Question*, is a stunning work with moments of unexpected brilliance (particularly around the 1:35 mark). For newcomers: the strings, brass, and woodwinds are deliberately playing in different keys, creating a unique and intentional dissonance.
