recognizable themes in first couple of bars- which ones?

[caroline1200]

I am trying to get examples from some of you experts on classical pieces by famous composers where there is a fairly (lovely, humable) recognizable theme in the first bar or two--I know a strange request.  I prefer they be fairly difficult pieces, preferably piano but others OK. Thanks in advance!!

[gn622]

Not sure if this is what your looking for, but the theme in Chopin's fourth ballad is extremely beautiful and the first time I've heard it, it felt so familiar and recognizable

[caroline1200]

Interesting that you mention that---It is probably in my top 5 favorite pieces AND THEMES of all times.  So, thank you but I need some more suggestions!

[asiantraveller101]

Liszt: Liebestraum No. 3; recognizable, hummable, well-known, fairly difficult. Fits your criteria.

[caroline1200]

Thank you very much - and.....I'd be happy to have additional suggestions

[patrickd]

The opening of the 1st mov of Alkan's Concerto.

Medtner op 20 no 1

Chopin's 2nd Ballade

Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht

The Aria from the Goldberg Variations.

[ajspiano]

chopin etudes..
10/3
10/9
25/11

la campanella

[caroline1200]

I love this forum!  So helpful.  Thanks for all these suggestions.  Would also love to add a couple of Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann....thanks!

[j_menz]

a strange request. 

Indeed. One might even go further.....

Surely any piece one knows fits the bill. Except possibly the "hummable", which is already being studiously ignored anyway.

[ajspiano]

Except possibly the "hummable", which is already being studiously ignored anyway.

Hey! I didn't ignore that at all.

[j_menz]

Hey! I didn't ignore that at all.

If you can hum the opening bars of La Campanella you've missed your calling.

[ajspiano]

If you can hum the opening bars of La Campanella you've missed your calling.

I can hum the theme, by itself, that begins only a couple of bars in. OP said nothing about being able to hum all the high D#s that go with it.

Incidently, an octave range should be sufficient to do the opening bars, and that is also quite recognizable.

[patrickd]

The Schumann Fantasy.

[j_menz]

Incidently, an octave range should be sufficient to do the opening bars, and that is also quite recognizable.

Only to Liszt nerds, I'd have thought.

And the rest, without those high notes, is like toast without marmalade. Recognisable as toast, but not as breakfast.

[ajspiano]

Only to Liszt nerds..

...And the rest, without those high notes, is like toast without marmalade. Recognisable as toast, but not as breakfast.

La Campanella is featured in a scene in shine.

[j_menz]

La Campanella is featured in a scene in shine.

True, but it's not in an advert so no cigar.

[ajspiano]

True, but it's not in an advert so no cigar.

Actually, it was in a 1993 Sainsbury's Sausages Commercial according to this source..

https://www.songofthesalesman.co.uk/ad.aspx?partist=Liszt

Also featured here in a shining example of electronic music (notice how it says "original sound track"), though at a fairly measly 16 views I doubt this helps my cause.

[j_menz]

Actually, it was in a 1993 Sainsbury's Sausages Commercial according to this source..

Here, I believe your grasping at these:

[ajspiano]

Here, I believe your grasping at these:

You drew the short one when you were tasked with attempting to argue that its not a well known work.

Only liszt nerds? really? Google search "most well known liszt". The number one result lists la campanella first.

[j_menz]

Only liszt nerds? really? Google search "most well known liszt". The number one result lists la campanella first.

I'll refrain from commenting on your "sources", though the result would be more of a surprise if any Liszt was really well known out there.

But, we are discussing the opening bars, and I'll wager they woudn't gain a glimmer of recognition in the eyes of most peolpe who voted for it.

[ajspiano]

I'll refrain from commenting on your "sources"

My sources are so far ahead of yours that you'll have to do some serious work to ketchup.

[j_menz]

My sources are so far ahead of yours that you'll have to do some serious work to ketchup.

You have access to the secret "supergoogle"? 

And I've ketchupped.

[iansinclair]

Just to be perverse ( )... not piano: rather arcane; the opening and main subject of Bach's Ste. Anne fugue (BWV 552), E flat major.  Beethoven Symphony #5.  Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto -- the opening theme for french horn is gorgeous.  Dvorak Symphony #9 (from the New World), beginning of the second movement.

There are more...

[j_menz]

Beethoven Symphony #5.  

Probably the most recognisable opening bars in all music.

But hummable? Who can resist a loud Dah Dah Dah Daaaaaah! I think if you tried to actually hum it you'd pop your ears.

[ajspiano]

Probably the most recognisable opening bars in all music.

But hummable? Who can resist a loud Dah Dah Dah Daaaaaah! I think if you tried to actually hum it you'd pop your ears.

Lol, now I can't shake the image of someone humming the opening of the surprise symphony and the associate facial expression during the ear pop of the surprise.