Classical Music About War: 10 Pieces to Listen to

From Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” to Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3,” these are classical pieces of music about war.

Introduction

There’s something about classical music that just lends itself to wartime settings. Whether it’s the grandiosity of a military procession or the heart-wrenching emotions of a love torn apart by conflict, these pieces of music have a way of capturing the human experience of war like few other art forms can.

So in honor of Veterans Day, we’ve compiled a list of ten classical pieces about war that are definitely worth a listen. From Tchaikovsky’s”1812 Overture” to Prokofiev’s “Alexander Nevsky,” these are some of the most moving, powerful and memorable pieces of music inspired by war.

Beethoven’s “Fidelio”

Fidelio is the only opera that Beethoven ever composed, and it did not have an easy birth. The first version, Leonore, was a flop, and Beethoven was so crushed that he withdrew it. He then reworked and shortened it, creating Fidelio, which was also not initially successful. But today, Fidelio is one of the most popular operas in the repertoire.

The story is based on an actual event that took place during the French Revolution. A political prisoner, Florestan, is being held in an underground dungeon by his cruel jailer, Don Pizarro. Florestan’s wife, Leonore (the Fidelio of the title), dressed as a man, manages to get a job in the prison and works to free her husband. After much peril and many near misses, she succeeds, and the couple are reunited.

This opera is different from most others in that it has a very positive message of hope and triumph over tyranny. The music reflects this optimism, with some of the most beautiful melodies ever written for the stage. It is no wonder that Fidelio has been called “Beethoven’s only perfect work.”

Brahms’ “Tragic Overture”

Brahms’ “Tragic Overture” was written in the summer of 1880, just a few years after the unification of Germany. The piece is symphonic in structure, but only uses orchestra forces, which is unusual for overtures of the time. Brahms was inspired to write this piece after attending a production of Sophocles’ play “Antigone.” The play is about a civil war between two brothers, and the tragic consequences that ensue. In the “Tragic Overture,” Brahms pays tribute to Sophocles by using various musical techniques to portray the drama of the play.

Dvorak’s “New World Symphony”

This beautiful and moving symphony was written by Antonin Dvorak while he was in the United States, and it’s widely regarded as one of the most important classical pieces ever written about war. It’s based on a poem by American poet Walt Whitman, and it captures the tragedy, hope, and beauty of war.

Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance”

One of the most popular pieces of classical music, Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” was written to commemorate the British victory in the Boer War. The work is a series of five marches, each one evoking a different aspect of the conflict. The first march, “Land of Hope and Glory,” is particularly stirring, with its rousing chorus and triumphant brass fanfares.

Mahler’s “Resurrection Symphony”

One of the most emotionally charged and powerful classical pieces ever written, Gustav Mahler’s “Resurrection Symphony” is a must-hear for anyone interested in music about war. Written in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War, the symphony is a rumination on death, loss, and the hope of resurrection. Featuring some of the most beautiful and stirring melodies ever composed, the symphony is a truly moving experience.

Prokofiev’s “Alexander Nevsky”

Prokofiev composed “Alexander Nevsky” in 1938 as a cantata for mezzo-soprano, chorus, and orchestra. It was written to accompany Sergei Eisenstein’s film of the same name, which is about a 13th-century Russian prince who leads his people to victory against an invading German army.

The music reflects the film’s epic scope, with a grandiose opening followed by a series of stirring battle scenes. The final section is a moving funeral march for the fallen heroes, set to Russian Orthodox Church music. “Alexander Nevsky” is one of Prokofiev’s most popular works, and it remains a staple of the choral repertoire.

Shostakovich’s “Leningrad Symphony”

Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Leningrad Symphony” is a prime example of classical music about war. It was composed during World War II while the composer was living in the besieged city of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). The work is a direct response to the suffering and heroism of the people of Leningrad during the Nazi blockade, and it is one of the most moving and powerful symphonies ever written.

Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis”

Classical music often brings to mind images of idealized beauty and calm. But some of the greatest works in the genre have been written about war – reflecting the turmoil, tragedy and heroism of battle.

Here are ten pieces of classical music about war, from Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis” to Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major.”

1. Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis”
2. Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings”
3. Leonard Bernstein’s “MASS”
4. Georges Bizet’s “Carmen Suite No. 1”
5. Sergei Prokofiev’s “Alexander Nevsky Cantata”
6. Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 7 in C major”
7. Richard Strauss’ “Alpine Symphony”
8. Giuseppe Verdi’s “Requiem”
9. Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor”
10. Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major”

Walton’s “Belshazzar’s Feast”

One of the most iconic 20th century classical pieces about war, Walton’s “Belshazzar’s Feast” is based on the Old Testament story of king Belshazzar’s feast, during which a mysterious hand wrote on the wall a prophetic message that signaled the fall of the Babylonian empire. The music is massive in scope, and conveys both the lavishness of the feast as well as the sense of looming doom that hangs over it.