We all know the melodies. Songs that we can't get out of our heads around this time of year, but where did these songs come from? Who wrote them? I've taken the liberty to search YouTube for the best versions of each piece, so you don't have to:). Here are 7 pieces you've probably heard before that were written by classical composers you may or may not know.
7. Nutcracker Suite - Peter Tchaikovsky
The Nutcracker Suite is probably a collection of some of the most famous Christmas pieces ever. Almost everyone has heard at least the Nutcracker March. However, this suite is high on my list because almost everyone who has heard it knows it was written by Peter Tchaikovsky.
6. Ave Maria - Franz Schubert
You probably will recognize this melody, even if not by name. Schubert died with no fame whatsoever, until composers such as Schuman, Brahms, Liszt, Mendelssohn, and other composers found and published his work. This masterpiece is probably one of the most famous musical scores set to the text of Ave Maria. However I put this song on the higher side of my list as it is not widely regarded as a Christmas song.
5. Silent Night - Franz Gruber
Though the composer, Franz Gruber, is not incredibly famous, this song definitely is. Many people of many different cultures will recognize the melody, even though the lyrics will be in different languages. This is closer to the top because most people recognize the song as a Christmas piece but probably don't know the composer.
4. Oh Holy Night (Cantique De Noël) - Adolphe Adam
Ok, I'm partial to Cantique De Noël as this is one of the pieces I've learned on the piano. This piece is definitely a widely regarded master piece. Recognizable to almost anyone, this piece is most likely more famous than its composer, Adolphe Adam.
3. Oh Come All Ye Faithful - John Francis Wade
Oh Come All Ye Faithful is regarded by many Christians as a classic. Go to any Christmas concert, you will almost certainly hear this piece, this piece could easily have been number one if not for the two pieces below. I would have put it as number one, but I was not shocked like I was when I found the composers of the top two.
2. Joy to the World - George F. Handel
This piece, like number three, is a widely regarded classic. Handel is probably one of the most famous composers on this list, and not many people know he wrote this piece. I was shocked when I read that he wrote this. This piece is absolutely beautiful, and could have been number one if not for the piece that beat it.
1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Felix Mendelssohn
Everyone who follows my top 7 series knows I like Mendelssohn, which is why I was blown away to find that he wrote this. This is one of my absolute favorite Christmas pieces, and to top it all off, I had no clue that Mendelssohn had written it. This is by far the most shocking composer - piece match up I found whilst doing my research.
I know this is a bad day to post this, but I am going to be with family for the next three days, so I've decided to post it today. Make sure to comment your favorite piece down below, and follow me for my Weekly top7 post!