Recommended classical masterpieces for autumn
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!
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Recommended Classical Masterpieces for Autumn (41–50)
Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D 667 “Trout” — III. Scherzo: PrestoFranz Schubert
This is a bright, light chamber piece performed at a very fast tempo.
The violin playfully bounces through a cheerful theme, with the other instruments responding in turn, evoking creatures frolicking in a spring brook.
Composed in 1819 when the composer was 22, the work was created at the request of a mining engineer who was an avid cellist.
Its waltz-like energy born of a triple meter, the deft interplay between piano and strings, and the rich sonorities of the lower instruments captivate listeners.
Once used as the departure melody on the platform of JR East’s Joban Line Iwaki Station, this work is widely cherished as a masterpiece of chamber music.
It’s a perfect choice for those who want to feel joy and vitality through music, or who wish to experience a piece that expresses the breath of nature and everyday delight in sound.
Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D. 667 “Trout” — IV. Theme and Variations: AndantinoFranz Schubert
A chamber music masterpiece performed by the uniquely scored ensemble of piano, violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
Composed in 1819 at the request of a wealthy local mining engineer, this work captivates with its bright, sprightly melodies and colorful variations.
In five variations, it vividly depicts a tale of a trout swimming in a clear stream and the crafty fisherman trying to catch it.
Conversational interplay that deftly draws out each instrument’s character, along with tonal shifts from minor to major, grips the listener’s heart.
A familiar classic also known from JR East’s Joban Line Iwaki Station departure melody and TV Asahi’s “Matsuko & Ariyoshi’s Angry New Party.” A piece I can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone interested in chamber music or piano music.
Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D 667 “Trout” — V. Finale: Allegro giustoFranz Schubert
A masterpiece whose beautiful melodies and distinctive instrumentation evoke Austria’s rich pastoral landscapes.
Composed in 1819 when Franz Schubert was just 22, this work features a unique ensemble of piano and four string instruments, marked by a lively rhythm and radiant melodies.
The themes, expressing the beauty and joy of nature, flow with the ease of a crystal-clear stream.
The piano’s brilliant passages blend exquisitely with the strings, as the instruments seem to converse—passing the motifs between them to paint a vivid musical scene.
Its resonant low registers and expansive sonorities leave a profound, heartfelt impression.
Highly recommended for those who wish to savor the splendor of classical music or spend a soothing, restorative moment.
Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished” in B minor, Movement II: Andante con motoFranz Schubert
Comprising only two movements, this work is distinguished by a majestic orchestral sonority that leaves a profound lyricism and serene afterglow.
Begun in 1822 as a token of gratitude to the Graz Music Society, its slow movement features a gentle theme ushered in by the soft timbres of horn and bassoon.
The melody—where sweet repose intertwines with solitary anguish—deeply moves the listener.
Since its Vienna premiere in December 1865, the piece has been cherished by many music lovers for its inward emotional expression, achieved through deft shifts in harmony and dialogues between instruments.
It is a recommended choice for those who wish to immerse themselves in a calm, meditative atmosphere or savor the richly expressive world of Romantic music.
String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D. 804 “Rosamunde,” Movement IIIFranz Schubert
Composed during the transitional period from the Classical to the Romantic era, this masterpiece opens with an elegant exchange of melodies between the first violin and the cello.
Rooted in a graceful dance style, the work interweaves introspective and delicate emotional expression, earning such acclaim at its March 1824 premiere that an encore was requested.
The contrast between the minuet and trio is vividly rendered, blending bright, tranquil melodies with a touch of melancholy in exquisite balance.
Among Franz Schubert’s chamber works, it stands out as a masterpiece distinguished by particularly beautiful melodies and profound emotional depth.
It is an ideal piece for those who wish to savor both the elegance of classical music and the lyricism of the Romantic era.
Erlkönig (arranged by Hector Berlioz)Franz Schubert
The sound of a horse’s hooves racing through the darkness of a deep forest is vividly portrayed by the orchestra’s powerful resonance.
The son’s anxious cries, the father’s desperate encouragement, and the eerie, seductive whispers of the Erlking are all masterfully expressed through the orchestra’s varied timbres, stirring the listener’s heart.
In the arrangement crafted by Berlioz around 1860, the flute voices the Erlking’s honeyed enticements, while the strings generate the sensation of a galloping horse, further heightening the tension inherent in the original.
With its universal themes of parental love and the inevitability of death, this work—through its dramatic development and rich musical expression—is highly recommended for those seeking narrative-driven music or wishing to savor the full allure of orchestral sound.
EARTHMuramatsu Takatsugu
This piece, performed as a flute and piano duo, is a grand work themed around the Earth’s environment and the beauty of nature.
The flute’s gentle melodies and the piano’s rich resonance intertwine exquisitely, evoking the sensation of traveling through the great outdoors.
The structure begins with a quiet introduction, gradually unfolds into a dramatic development, and finally moves toward a tranquil close.
This dynamic contour brings deep emotional expression to the music and captivates listeners.
It’s a recommended piece for those who want to feel their love for nature and the Earth through music, and for anyone who wishes to fully savor the charm of the flute.
HerbstliedFelix Mendelssohn
Among the works of Felix Mendelssohn, a composer who represents the German Romantic movement of the 19th century, the piece known as a symbol of autumn is “Herbstlied” (Autumn Song).
Published in 1844, this song sets a poem by the poet Karl Klingemann to music, portraying the transience of life through the shifting scenes of autumn while singing of the eternity of love and hope.
Its melody, tinged with quiet melancholy yet imbued with hope, perfectly suits an autumn evening.
Showcasing Mendelssohn’s delicate sensibility, this work is recommended for those who wish to reflect on life while feeling the arrival of autumn.
Waltz of the PuppiesFrederic Chopin
It’s the famous piece composed by Frédéric Chopin, the “poet of the piano,” commonly known as the “Minute Waltz”! Written in the later years of his life, between 1846 and 1848, it’s a short work lasting under two minutes, yet its rhythmic, lively melody is truly striking.
There are probably very few people who have never heard it.
The development of the piece blends the graceful atmosphere of a waltz with the image of a playful puppy scampering about—an achievement that can only be described as the work of a genius.
Many recordings by great pianists and a variety of arrangements exist, so why not make it a refined autumn pastime to explore them, compare the differences, and savor each interpretation?
Prelude No. 15 in 24 Preludes “Raindrop”Frederic Chopin
Frédéric Chopin, a leading composer of the early Romantic era and the “poet of the piano” born in Poland.
Especially in Japan, he remains dearly loved by both listeners and performers, making him an exceptionally popular classical composer.
Beyond his achievements in expanding the possibilities of the piano, his beautifully melancholic melodies continue to captivate Japanese hearts.
The piece introduced here is one of Chopin’s signature works, known in Japan as “Raindrop”: Prelude No.
15 from the 24 Preludes, Op.
28.
As the title suggests, it depicts the sound of falling rain through piano keystrokes, making it an ideal classical work to savor while gazing out the window at the long autumn rains as the heat of midsummer fades.