There are just too many great melodies to pick from. None the less, I picked 10. These are guys that you can consider kung fu masters of melody. Like Mr. Miyagi says,
“Everything is Melody… I mean Kung Fu.”
1. Jules Massenet – Meditation from Thais
This is a beautiful piece that has such a memorable melody.
2. Joaquin Rodrigo – Concerto De Aranjuez
The very free melody from the guitar is contrasted with the tighter melodic lines in the orchestra. Brilliant!
https://youtu.be/KzEFQW9CXGc
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3. John Williams – The Last Crusade
I have to admit, I am a John Williams fan (the composer… and the guitarist above). He writes some of the most memorable music ever written. Once you hear the theme to Indiana Jones, you will want to jump on a horse, and find an artifact that BELONGS IN A MUSEUM!
4. John Williams – Schindler’s List
This is just a beautiful melody for the ages. Listen to the chord lines and the scale lines and how they work together.
5. Alan Silvestri – Forrest Gump Main Theme
Another film score. I always loved the simplicity and innocence of this main theme.
6. Gustav Mahler – Symphony 2, Mvt III
This is classic Mahler. The thing that really makes Mahler great for me is his ability to weave together a bunch of really great melodies into one coherent whole. Always clear, and always beautiful.
7. Claude Debussy – Claire De Lune
This is such a great piece it is hard to put into words. This is the version from Ocean’s 11, which I always liked.
8. Franz Schubert – Death and The Maiden
This one strikes you down to the marrow.
Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yy9szBIKCw
Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdCJRqH_IqU
9. Edvard Grieg – In the Hall of the Mountain King
Pretty much all of the Peer Gynt Suite is great, but I love the deceptive simplicity of this one.
10. Mozart – Lacrimosa
I couldn’t end a discussion of great melodies without Mozart. Pretty much the man to beat, this is one of my favorite. The Lacrimosa from his Requiem in D Minor.
A melody that I find to be really beautiful is the third movement of Brahms’ third symphony. The whole symphony is great, but the third movement really stands out.
Brahms is great.
Jon,
Would like to hear the melody examples but unfortunately the operation timed out. Is there any chance that I can hear them ?
Mubarak
You may just have to reload the page. Unfortunately that happens from time to time.
My personal favorite is saint-saëns’ “Danse Macabre”
Thanks for the beginner’s course – I learned a few things I never knew before that I’ll be using in the piece I’m composing now.
Glad to help.