Incredulous: Discovering the near-non-existence of eight renowned classical compositions.
From the halls of history to the present day, a selection of eight renowned classical music pieces have traversed a path of neglect, loss, or initial rejection, only to emerge as central pillars of the classical canon. Each piece carries a unique story, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of art to endure.
Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2
Composed in 1901, Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 was born from the ashes of the composer's deep depression following the disastrous premiere of his First Symphony in 1897. The concerto, dedicated to Dr. Dahl, marked a remarkable comeback for the composer after years of creative block and became a huge success, ushering in a new era of Rachmaninov's career [1].
Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring
Not mentioned in the provided results, Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is another prime example of a work that faced initial rejection. The ballet, with its avant-garde music and choreography, famously caused a riot at its 1913 Paris premiere. However, over time, it has come to be regarded as a revolutionary masterpiece in the 20th-century repertoire.
Monteverdi's L'Arianna
Monteverdi's L'Arianna, premiered in 1608, is mostly lost except for the "Lamento," its sole surviving piece. The full score was lost over centuries, making it one of the significant lost works of early opera music.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 experienced initial slow acceptance. Despite Beethoven's deafness, it premiered in 1824 and later became one of the most celebrated symphonies, with its choral finale being innovative and initially surprising for audiences.
Bach's The Art of Fugue
Bach's The Art of Fugue remained unfinished at Bach’s death in 1750 and was not widely known or performed until much later, when it gained recognition as a monumental and complex work in contrapuntal composition.
Mozart's Requiem in D minor
Mozart's Requiem in D minor is famously incomplete at Mozart’s death in 1791 and was finished by his student Franz Xaver Süssmayr. For many years, the work's completion and authorship were subjects of debate, contributing to its mystique.
Vivaldi's Lost Oratorios
Vivaldi's Lost Oratorios refer to a number of Vivaldi vocal works presumed lost or only partially preserved, with many rediscovered or reconstructed only in recent centuries, shedding light on his extensive but often overshadowed vocal music output.
Schubert's 'Unfinished' Symphony No. 8
Schubert's 'Unfinished' Symphony No. 8 was left incomplete with only two movements. Composed in 1822, it was unknown and unpublished until decades after Schubert's death, now regarded as a remarkable work despite its incompletion.
These works illustrate themes of initial rejection, partial loss, or delayed recognition before becoming central to the classical canon. The history of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2, highlighted in the search results, exemplifies this pattern, moving from personal crisis to enduring success [1].
[1] For more information about Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2, please refer to the following reference: Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2: A Composer's Triumph Over Adversity
Classical music, such as Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2, can endure initial rejection and adversity, eventually becoming central pillars of the classical canon. Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, with its avant-garde style, initially caused a riot during its premiere but is now regarded as a revolutionary masterpiece in the 20th-century repertoire.
