Lovely classics

Recommended classical masterpieces for autumn

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
lighterutatane
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.

Introducing recommended classical masterpieces that evoke the feeling of autumn!

There are many works in classical music that take the four seasons as their theme.

This time, we’ve picked pieces ranging from those that explicitly focus on “autumn” to those that simply evoke an autumnal mood.

From darker tones to brighter ones, we’ve selected a variety of styles, so you’re sure to find a piece that matches your preferred atmosphere!

We’re also sharing episodes and fun little facts, so if you love classical music, be sure to read to the end!

Classic Masterpieces Recommended for Autumn (71–80)

The Fall of the LeafImogen Holst

I. Holst: The Fall of the Leaf: I. Theme “The Fall of the Leaf”. Andante

The Fall of the LeafImogen Holst

The works of the British composer Imogen Holst possess a unique charm where tradition and modernity blend.

Influenced by her father, Gustav Holst, she nonetheless forged an individual musical voice.

Written in 1963 for a close friend who was a cellist, this piece delicately depicts an autumn scene with falling leaves.

Consisting of three short studies based on a 16th-century melody, it is characterized by a structure in which quiet melancholy intersects with a lively middle section.

Combining cello virtuosity with artistic expression, this work is recommended for those who wish to contemplate autumnal landscapes or discover a new facet of English music.

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CanonJohann Pachelbel

Pachelbel Canon

CanonJohann Pachelbel

Composed by the German Baroque-era composer Johann Pachelbel, this piece is affectionately known as “Pachelbel’s Canon.” Reappraised in the 1900s, it is now frequently heard at weddings and even appears in instrumental sections of Tatsuro Yamashita’s songs, so you may encounter it quite often.

Moreover, many modern songs have been created using this piece’s chord progression, making it one of those works that continue to live on in contemporary music.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Symphony No. 5, First Movement “Fate”Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven, Symphony No. 5, First Movement (“Fate”)

Symphony No. 5, First Movement “Fate”Ludwig van Beethoven

This piece is Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, affectionately known in Japan as “Fate.” Listening as you follow the ingenious structure—from the striking opening, through the depths of darkness, step by step into a brighter world—is truly thrilling.

It feels almost like riding a roller coaster.

Even within the first movement there’s a shift from darkness to light, and across movements I through IV the music grows progressively brighter, so I recommend listening to all the movements straight through.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral”Ludwig van Beethoven

Pastoral – Beethoven: Symphony No. 6, all movements

Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral”Ludwig van Beethoven

Known as the “Pastoral,” Symphony No.

6 is one of Beethoven’s most celebrated works, rivaling the fame of Symphony No.

5, the “Fate.” It is also a very rare example of a piece to which Beethoven himself gave programmatic titles.

Characterized by a gentle, expansive development that seems to convey the calm atmosphere of abundant nature, it offers a different side of Beethoven in contrast to the impassioned “Fate.” The composer himself stated that it is not a depiction of rural scenery, but rather an expression of the joyful feelings of people in the countryside.

In any case, let us immerse ourselves in the world of the “Pastoral” and savor the bountiful autumn.

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In conclusion

From timeless classics that almost everyone has heard at least once to postwar works that even many non-enthusiasts might not know, we’ve curated classical masterpieces perfect for autumn listening. Spend a luxurious moment losing track of time on a long autumn night, immersing yourself in classical music—let this playlist be your companion.