The Most Popular Instrumental Music of All Time

The Most Popular Instrumental Music of All Time: A look at the top 10 most popular pieces of instrumental music of all time, including works by Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms.

Introduction

Instrumental music has been around for centuries, and some of the most popular pieces have become classics that are still enjoyed today. Many people associate instrumental music with calm and relaxation, and it can be a great way to unwind after a long day.

There are many different genres of instrumental music, from classical to jazz to rock, so there is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for something to help you focus whilst working or studying, or you just want to relax and appreciate the beauty of music, there will be an instrumental piece that is perfect for you.

Some of the most popular instrumental pieces of all time include Beethoven’s “Für Elise,” Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” and Bach’s “Minuet in G Major.” These pieces have stood the test of time and continue to be enjoyed by people of all ages. If you’re looking for something a little more modern, there are also many contemporary pieces that are equally as popular, such as JohnWilliams’ “Theme from Schindler’s List” and Ennio Morricone’s “Ecstasy of Gold.”

No matter what your taste in music is, there is sure to be an instrumental piece that you will enjoy. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of instrumental music.

Classical

Most of the best-known and most popular classical pieces are instrumental. Many people think of classical music as being nothing but a bunch of boring, old dead guys’ music. However, there are quite a few well-known pieces that are actually quite popular, and some of them are still regularly played today.

Beethoven – Symphony No. 5

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, was written between 1804–1808. It is one of the best-known compositions in classical music and one of the most frequently played symphonies, and it is widely considered one of the cornerstones of Western music. The symphony was the first composed after his move to Vienna in 1792.

The work was premiered on 22 December 1808 at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna with Beethoven himself conducting. Although summoned to Vienna by his patron Prince Lobkowitz and his salary subsidized by his employer Prince Lichnowsky, Beethoven struggled to complete the composition while continuing to teach at his daily lessons for a fee which provided very little income. Detailed accounts of the premiere also suggest that, surprisingly for a work so renowned and influential, it was not an immediate success; there apparently were “many vocal disapprobations” during its early performances, although those may have been caused byscore errors rather than by negative audience reaction.

Bach – Air on the G String

Bach – Air on the G String is one of the most popular pieces of classical music of all time. The piece was originally written for the violin, but has been arranged for many other instruments over the years. The most popular version is probably the one for piano, which was arranged by Bach himself. The piece is in the key of D major and has a flowing, lyrical melody that is both beautiful and peaceful.

Pachelbel – Canon in D

Pachelbel – Canon in D is the most popular classical piece of all time. It was composed by Johann Pachelbel in the early 1700s, and has been adapted and performed by countless artists over the past three centuries. The piece is simple yet elegant, and its popularity is likely due to its wide appeal to both classical and non-classical audiences.

Jazz

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is characterized by swing and blue notes, call and response vocals, polyrhythms and improvisation. Jazz has been called “the purest expression of American democracy”.

Miles Davis – So What

Miles Davis is one of the most legendary and important figures in the history of jazz music. His influence can be heard in the playing of virtually every jazz musician that came after him. “So What” is one of his most famous and iconic pieces of music. It is a staple of the jazz repertoire and has been covered by countless artists over the years.

The piece is based on a simple two-chord vamp, but Davis’ inventive soloing and the infectious groove laid down by his band make it much more than that. “So What” is a perfect example of the power of jazz to take a simple idea and turn it into something truly special.

John Coltrane – My Favorite Things

John Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things” is one of the most popular and influential jazz recordings of all time. The song was originally written by Rodgers and Hammerstein for their musical “The Sound of Music.” Coltrane’s version, which was recorded in 1960, features an extended improvisation by the saxophonist that has been cited as an early example of modal jazz. The recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

Dave Brubeck – Take Five

“Take Five” is a jazz piece composed by Paul Desmond and originally performed by the Dave Brubeck Quartet on their 1959 album Time Out. It is considered to be one of the most recognizable and popular jazz pieces of all time, and has been recorded by many artists. The original composition was in 5/4 time, which gave it a “odd”, ” quirky” feel. The piece was intended to be a contrast to the rest of the album, which mostly featured 3/4 waltzes or 6/8 songs.

The title “Take Five” refers to the fact that the piece is in 5/4 time. Desmond chose this unusual time signature so that the musicians would have to “take five” instead of four beats per measure. This gave the piece a more relaxed feeling, which Desmond felt was appropriate for jazz.

The piece was an instant hit with both audiences and critics, and helped to make the Dave Brubeck Quartet one of the most popular groups of their time. Take Five has been used in many movies and television shows over the years, and its popularity shows no signs of waning.

Rock

Pink Floyd – Echoes

Pink Floyd’s “Echoes” is one of the most popular pieces of instrumental music of all time. The song was released on the 1971 album Meddle, and quickly became a fan favorite.

Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven

“;Stairway to Heaven” is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in late 1971. It was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant for the band’s untitled fourth studio album (often referred to as Led Zeppelin IV). It is often referred to as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The song has been voted number three in several greatest songs polls, including VH1’s and Rolling Stone’s.

The song originated in 1970 when Page and Plant were spending time at Bron-Yr-Aur, a remote cottage in Wales, following an exhausting tour schedule that had seen their previous album, Led Zeppelin III, hitting number one in the US charts. One evening, Page improvised the opening chords of what would become “Stairway to Heaven”. Plant wrote the lyrics over the next few days. The song is loosely based on medieval music and mythology;Plant has said that elements of both Camelot and Paradise Lost influenced his lyrics.

The recording of “Stairway to Heaven” began in December 1970 at Island Records’ Basing Street Studios in London and took several weeks. Audio engineering was done by Andy Johns with assistance from Richard Thompson and Phil Carson. At nearly eight minutes long, it wasClaimed by music critic Dave Marsh to be “the most expensive single ever recorded”, with a budget close to £5,000 (equivalent to £34,000 today).

Page used a Leslie speaker on his Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar during the song’s solo to create a swirling effect; he relied on this technique on other Led Zeppelin tracks such as “Whole Lotta Love”, “Tangerine” and “Since I’ve Been Loving You”.

On release as a single in late 1971 it peaked at number two for three weeks */on America’s Billboard chart* after debuting at number seventeen on 22 January 1972—being kept from the top spot by Stephen Stills’ “Love The One You’re With”. In 2004 it was ranked number 31 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

Deep Purple – Smoke on the Water

Deep Purple – Smoke on the Water is widely considered to be one of the most popular instrumental songs of all time. The song was released in 1972 and quickly rose to fame, becoming a staple of rock radio stations across the world. Featuring a heavy blues-rock sound and a catchy guitar riff, the song is stillplayed regularly today, almost 50 years after its release.

Conclusion

Based on album sales, radio airplay, streaming, and YouTube views, these are the most popular instrumental songs of all time.

1. A Whiter Shade of Pale -Procol Harum (1967)
2. Rhapsody in Blue -George Gershwin (1924)
3. The Entertainer -Scott Joplin (1902)
4. The Pink Panther Theme -Henry Mancini (1963)
5. Jeopardy Theme -Merv Griffin (1964)
6. The Lonely Bull -Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass (1962)
7. Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001: A Space Odyssey) -Richard Strauss (1896)
8. Hey Jude -The Beatles (1968)
9.Theme from “The Godfather” -Nino Rota (1972)
10. Hava Nagila -Traditional Folk melody (1920s)