There are many beautiful classical works that we associate with romance and love. With Valentine's Day approaching, now is the perfect opportunity to help your students to develop their active listening skills and become familiar with a few famous classics, too!
Keep reading to find 5 romantic classical pieces you can introduce your students to this Valentine's Day--from lyrical favorites to wedding staples! Included with each piece is a FREE arrangement of the piece you can share with your students.
Keep reading to see more...
Keep reading to find 5 romantic classical pieces you can introduce your students to this Valentine's Day--from lyrical favorites to wedding staples! Included with each piece is a FREE arrangement of the piece you can share with your students.
Keep reading to see more...
 | First, download this free active listening worksheet and have your students answer each question as they listen to the pieces listed below. Get your PDF copy of the active listening worksheet HERE. Next, read a little about the history of each piece in the list below before watching the video performance. At the bottom of each description is a link to download a free arrangement of the piece that you can share with your students. |
1. Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn
This familiar piece was originally written in 1842 as part of a suite to accompany a performance of Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream.
It gained popularity when it was used during the wedding of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter in 1858, and today it is often played as the recessional at the end of wedding ceremonies.
Download a free elementary arrangement of this piece HERE.
This familiar piece was originally written in 1842 as part of a suite to accompany a performance of Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream.
It gained popularity when it was used during the wedding of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter in 1858, and today it is often played as the recessional at the end of wedding ceremonies.
Download a free elementary arrangement of this piece HERE.
2. Fantaisie-Impromptu by Frederic Chopin
This dramatic piece is one of Chopin's most famous piano works, despite the fact that it wasn't published until after his death.
The beautiful melody from the middle section of this piece was later set to words to create the song "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows."
Download a free elementary arrangement of the melody from the middle section of this piece HERE.
This dramatic piece is one of Chopin's most famous piano works, despite the fact that it wasn't published until after his death.
The beautiful melody from the middle section of this piece was later set to words to create the song "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows."
Download a free elementary arrangement of the melody from the middle section of this piece HERE.
3. Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner
Nearly everyone is familiar with the melody of this famous piece, often sung with the words "here comes the bride..."
This piece was originally written in 1850 by composer Richard Wagner for his opera Lohengrin. Once again we have the daughter of Queen Victoria to thank for the popularity of this piece--it was also used during her wedding ceremony, along with Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" mentioned above!
Download a free late elementary arrangement of this piece HERE.
Nearly everyone is familiar with the melody of this famous piece, often sung with the words "here comes the bride..."
This piece was originally written in 1850 by composer Richard Wagner for his opera Lohengrin. Once again we have the daughter of Queen Victoria to thank for the popularity of this piece--it was also used during her wedding ceremony, along with Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" mentioned above!
Download a free late elementary arrangement of this piece HERE.
4. Liebestraum No. 3 by Franz Liszt
Liszt published a set of three solo piano pieces that he called "liebestraum," or "Dreams of Love," in 1850. This third piece from the set is the best known of the three and is now one of Liszt's most beloved pieces.
Download a free early intermediate arrangement of the main theme of this piece HERE.
Liszt published a set of three solo piano pieces that he called "liebestraum," or "Dreams of Love," in 1850. This third piece from the set is the best known of the three and is now one of Liszt's most beloved pieces.
Download a free early intermediate arrangement of the main theme of this piece HERE.
5. Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel
This piece is Pachelbel's best known work. Although the exact circumstances surrounding the composition of this piece are unknown, historians have speculated that it could have been written for the wedding of Pachelbel's good friend (and fellow musician) Johann Christoph Bach in 1694.
A "canon" is a compositional technique in which a melody is repeated by two or more instruments that begin at different times, creating a layered effect. Can you hear the melodies being repeated at different times by the instruments in the recording below?
Despite being written centuries ago, the repeated chord progression and singable melody found in this piece has made it endure in popularity, and it has even been used as the basis of many pop songs--most recently "Memories" by Maroon 5.
Download a free intermediate lead sheet of this piece HERE.
This piece is Pachelbel's best known work. Although the exact circumstances surrounding the composition of this piece are unknown, historians have speculated that it could have been written for the wedding of Pachelbel's good friend (and fellow musician) Johann Christoph Bach in 1694.
A "canon" is a compositional technique in which a melody is repeated by two or more instruments that begin at different times, creating a layered effect. Can you hear the melodies being repeated at different times by the instruments in the recording below?
Despite being written centuries ago, the repeated chord progression and singable melody found in this piece has made it endure in popularity, and it has even been used as the basis of many pop songs--most recently "Memories" by Maroon 5.
Download a free intermediate lead sheet of this piece HERE.
What do you think? Do you have a favorite romantic classic that you enjoy listening to this time of year? Let us know in the comments!
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