A Thorough Analysis of Classical Music Featured in Commercials!

Recently, with platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok becoming more mainstream, many people might find themselves watching less television. However, even if you're not actively watching a program, do you find yourself naturally tuning into the sound when the TV is on? Personally, when I watch programs like Friday Road Show or dramas in real-time, I inevitably want to skip the "commercial breaks". Surprisingly, I've realized that despite not actively watching, I remember the music played during commercials. Not only popular music but also many famous classical pieces are used!
This time, I'll thoroughly explain some charming classical pieces that have been featured in commercials in the past.

First up is the piece used in
the Alinamin Night Recovery "New Morning" edition.

Prelude: 1. Morning Mood from
Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1.

Peer Gynt is based on the dramatic poem that depicts the main character Peer Gynt and his travels around the world. The commercial is played at a brisk tempo, but the original piece is more relaxed and peaceful! Try listening to it once as it will give you a different impression.

Edvard Grieg's composition "Morning Mood" from the Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 is known for its serene and tranquil melody which often evokes images of sunlight streaming through a quiet forest. However, the original piece depicts a scene quite different from this serene setting—it actually portrays the African desert. This stark contrast can be surprising upon first listen.
In Peer Gynt, the protagonist, Peer, experiences a tumultuous life of adventure around the world. The piece “Morning Mood” reflects a morning where Peer wakes up in the desert after losing all his treasures, feeling a profound sadness. Despite the initial serene impression, the melody conveys a sense of resilience and determination, suggesting Peer's readiness to embark on new adventures.
Grieg's composition spans a vast scale and captures deep emotional tones, making it quite a profound piece of work. I encourage you to explore more of Grieg's works to appreciate the breadth of his musical expression.

Next up is the piece used in the Ohta Isan commercial.

The Prelude No. 7 in A major from Frédéric Chopin’s
set of 24 Preludes.

Many people might associate this piece with Ohta Isan when they hear it.

Let me explain the significance of the number "24" in the title!
Frédéric Chopin greatly admired Johann Sebastian Bach, the quintessential composer of the Baroque era. Bach composed "The Well-Tempered Clavier," a collection of 24 preludes and fugues, each in a different key. This work was groundbreaking for its exploration of tuning and key relationships, significantly advancing music theory of the time.
Inspired by Bach's achievement, Chopin composed his own set of "24 Preludes." Like Bach's work, Chopin's preludes explore various technical and expressive challenges, contributing immensely to piano technique and musical expression.
As a result, specific preludes from Chopin's set, such as the Prelude No. 7 in A major, are sometimes used in commercials and become associated with particular products or brands, like Ohta Isan.

	Chopin: 24 Preludes	Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1
1	C major	C major
2	A minor	C minor
3	G major	C# major
4	E minor	C# minor
5	D major	D major
6	B minor	D minor
7	A major	E♭ major
8	F# minor	E♭ minor
9	E major	E major
10	C# minor	E minor
11	B major	F major
12	G# minor	F minor
13	F# major	F# major
14	E♭ minor	F# minor
15	D♭ major	G major
16	B♭ minor	G minor
17	A♭ major	A♭ major
18	F minor	A♭ minor
19	E♭ major	A major
20	C minor	A minor
21	B♭ major	B♭ major
22	G minor	B♭ minor
23	F major	B major
24	D minor	B minor

Chopin left behind magnificent compositions such as ballades and sonatas, but his "24 Preludes" are relatively short and simple pieces, each lasting just a few minutes. Despite their simplicity, they embody various forms and showcase beautiful melodies that captivate listeners uniquely and cannot be imitated. Within these 24 pieces, Chopin encapsulates the full range of human emotions, making them profoundly rich and wonderful works.
Notably, Prelude No. 7 is famous, but Prelude No. 15, known as "Raindrop," is also widely recognized. I recommend giving it a listen as well.

Next up is the piece used in commercials for SMBC (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation)

Georges Bizet
“Habanera" from the opera Carmen

This piece is indeed very famous, and you've probably heard it somewhere before, right? It's from Georges Bizet’s opera, Carmen. The opera tells the story of the gypsy Carmen who works in a tobacco factory and the love triangle involving Carmen, Don José, and José's fiancée Micaëla. "Habanera" is sung by Carmen (mezzo-soprano) in the first act.
"Habanera" refers to the habanera rhythm originating from Cuba, which looks like this rhythmically:
↓↓ (Habanera rhythm example)

When you listen to the opening prelude, you'll distinctly hear this rhythm. Please give the original piece a listen to experience it for yourself!

It starts with the habanera rhythm and the chromatic descent at the beginning that is very distinctive. This chromatic descent creates an atmosphere that seems to beguile the men, much like Carmen herself.

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Once you hear it, you will never forget its unique and captivating melody. Have you ever seen it used in a TV commercial? In commercials, they often use just a part of the song, so I recommend listening to the whole piece to fully appreciate it!