In advertising there is a term-"top-of-the-mind" or product recall. That means what comes up in your mind when you think about a particular subject; say you think of Impressionism van Gogh comes to your mind. You think of cold drinks Coke or Pepsi comes to your mind.
Similarly what comes to my mind when I think Western Classical Music?
1. Beethoven's Violin Concerto
The Rondo movement is hummable and so memorable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD6UT-y2HPo
2. Eine Kleine nacht Musik by Mozart
The first movement is sprightly and forever favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy2zDJPIgwc
3. On the Beautiful Blue Danube
This waltz by Johann Strauss needs no introduction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKkDMiGUbUw&t=165s
4. Four Seasons - Spring
This one by Vivaldi may be written in mediaeval age but how popular is it still now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfKxEH699Nw
5. Fur Elise
Beethoven's iconic piano piece is everywhere from ringtone to elevator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGLpHxdsLtM
6. Turkish Rondo
What a pretty piece Mozart wrote.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6ryaQ6Gtpg
7. Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
Bach's eternally moving piece which makes Christmas or Easter incomplete
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7PNFDrcqmY
8. Chopin's Nocturn no.20
Reportedly this piece saved life of Spillman from Nazi torture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9oQEa-d5rU
9. Tchaikovsky's Song Without Words
A short and sweet passage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=907KXouF3Mw
10. Mozart Elvira Madigan Piano Concerto no 21,2nd movement
Soothes your soul, just flow with the music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRCEwy5XQSs
This is not the end....I add 10 close contenders
1. Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, 3rd movement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xsjrbpo0qQ
2. Moonlight Sonata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu7hscHkfPw
3. Tempest by Beethoven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KMGcOYHSs0
4. Hungarian Dance no 5
This chirpy Brahms piece is musical
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzo3atXtm54
5. Paganini caprice no 24
Was Paganini a rockstar?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ307sM0t-0
6. Schumann Traumerei
Remember the Raymond ad?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z82w0l6kwE
7. Schubert's Serenade
evokes cinematic emotions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=widDAQKdlUA
8. Mozart Symphony no 25, 1st movement
Titan ad anyone??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNeirjA65Dk
9. Pachelbel canon
Can you imagine a marriage in the western world without this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlprozGcs80
10. Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyM2AnA96yE
** Can't stop sharing this Anthem of the EU
