Top 10 Most Expensive Pieces of Music History

This iconic composition, composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in the early 18th century, is considered one of the most complex and intricate pieces of music ever written. The work consists of 30 variations on a recurring theme, showcasing Bach's mastery of counterpoint and musical structure. It took the composer around 5 years to complete the piece, with estimates suggesting it required over 120,000 notes to be played correctly. The Goldberg Variations are so revered that they have been performed by some of the greatest musicians in history, including Glenn Gould, who recorded a famous version in 1955. The work's title is derived from Count Leopold von Goldbach, a wealthy patron of Bach's music. As one of the most demanding pieces of music ever written, it remains a benchmark for pianists seeking to showcase their technical prowess.

This symphony, composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1824, is considered one of the greatest works of classical music ever created. It features a chorus and vocal soloists in its final movement, setting the text of Friedrich Schiller's "An die Freude" (Ode to Joy) to music. The symphony took Beethoven around 5 years to complete, with many experts believing he worked tirelessly on it until his death in 1827. Symphony No. 9 is often seen as a symbol of unity and hope, reflecting the ideals of the French Revolution and the emerging nationalism in Europe during that time period. According to historical records, Beethoven himself performed the symphony for the first time in Vienna in March 1824, with only a handful of musicians available to play it.

This groundbreaking album, released by The Beatles in 1967, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic albums in the history of popular music. It features a range of innovative recording techniques, including the use of sound effects and tape loops, which helped to push the boundaries of what was possible in recorded music. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band took The Beatles around 6 months to create, with the band members drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources, including Lewis Carroll and surrealism. According to Brian Epstein, the band's manager, the album was designed to be a concept album, with each track flowing seamlessly into the next to create an immersive listening experience. At the time of its release, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band spent 22 weeks at the top of the UK Albums Chart.

This unfinished composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composed in 1791, is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of sacred music ever written. It features a dramatic and powerful chorus, with Mozart using many innovative vocal techniques to create an otherworldly sound. Mozart worked on the Requiem for over two years, with estimates suggesting he spent around 100 hours composing its complex choral sections alone. According to legend, Mozart's assistant, Franz Xaver Süssmayr, was tasked with completing the piece after Mozart's death, and his own contributions have been widely debated among music historians. The Requiem is so revered that it has inspired countless adaptations and arrangements, from orchestral versions to jazz interpretations.

This concerto, composed by Frédéric Chopin in 1829-1830, is considered one of the greatest piano concertos ever written. It features a beautiful and intricate melody for solo piano, accompanied by a dramatic orchestral part that showcases the composer's mastery of symphonic form. The concerto takes around 3 years to complete, with estimates suggesting Chopin worked tirelessly on its completion while struggling with poor health. According to historical records, the concerto was premiered in Paris in March 1830, with the Polish-born pianist and conductor Frédéric Chopin himself performing it for the first time. At the time of its release, Piano Concerto No. 2 helped establish Chopin as a major musical figure, catapulting him to international fame.

This symphony, composed by Joseph Haydn in 1791-1792, is considered one of the greatest works of classical music ever written. It features a complex and intricate structure, with four movements that showcase the composer's mastery of musical form and humor. The symphony took Haydn around 4 years to complete, with estimates suggesting he worked tirelessly on its completion while struggling with financial hardship. According to historical records, the symphony was premiered in London in March 1792, with the British royal family in attendance. Symphony No. 94 is so revered that it has been widely performed and recorded by some of the greatest orchestras and conductors in history.

This set of violin concertos, composed by Antonio Vivaldi in 1716-1717, is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and influential works of classical music ever written. It features four distinct seasons, each with its own unique movements and moods, showcasing the composer's mastery of programmatic music and instrumental technique. The concertos took Vivaldi around 2 years to complete, with estimates suggesting he worked tirelessly on their completion while struggling with financial hardship as a church musician. According to historical records, the Four Seasons was premiered in Venice in March 1717, with an audience that included many of the city's music lovers and nobility. The set has been widely performed, adapted, and parodied over the centuries.

This ballet score, composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875-1877, is considered one of the greatest works of classical music ever written. It features some of the most beautiful and recognizable melodies in all of ballet history, including the famous "Dance of the Little Swans" and "Waltz of the Flowers". The score took Tchaikovsky around 4 years to complete, with estimates suggesting he worked tirelessly on its completion while struggling with personal turmoil and financial hardship. According to historical records, Swan Lake was premiered in St Petersburg in February 1877, with a full-length ballet production that featured elaborate costumes, sets, and choreography.

This opera, composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1853-1855, is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of operatic drama ever written. It features a beautiful and tragic heroine, Violetta Valéry, who struggles to balance her life with poverty and desire. The opera took Verdi around 2 years to complete, with estimates suggesting he worked tirelessly on its completion while struggling with financial hardship and personal turmoil. According to historical records, La Traviata premiered in Milan in February 1855, with a major premiere that drew large crowds of music lovers and intellectuals. At the time of its release, La Traviata helped establish Verdi as one of the leading composers of opera.

This ballet score, composed by Igor Stravinsky in 1912-1913, is considered one of the most influential and groundbreaking works of modern music ever written. It features a stark and dissonant sound, with multiple overlapping rhythms and unconventional instrumentation that shocked audiences at its premiere. According to historical records, The Rite of Spring was premiered in Paris in May 1913, with an audience divided between those who loved it and those who hated it for its perceived excesses and innovations. At the time of its release, The Rite of Spring helped establish Stravinsky as a leading modernist composer, paving the way for his later neoclassical works.