Recommended classical masterpieces for autumn

Erlkönig (arranged by Hector Berlioz)Franz Schubert

Schubert–Berlioz: Erlkönig

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

[Ayako Takagi earth] T. Muramatsu – “earth,” a live performance by Ayako Takagi with pianist Itsuko Sakano.

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

Herbstlied, No. 4 – Sechs Lieder-Duette, Op. 63 – 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

Chopin - Minute Waltz (Piano) High Quality / Classical

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?

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Symphony No. 9 “With Chorus”Ludwig van Beethoven

Seiji Ozawa conducts “Ode to Joy” for the first time in 15 years: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 “Choral” [On Sale Now!]

Affectionately known in Japan by the abbreviation “Daiku” (The Ninth), this piece is so beloved that events where everyone sings the Ninth together are held across the country at year’s end.

Symphony No.

9 is the ninth and final symphony Beethoven composed.

Because he included four vocal soloists and a mixed chorus in the final fourth movement, it is also called the “Choral” symphony.

The text uses Schiller’s poem “An die Freude” (Ode to Joy), and its main theme is widely known as the “Ode to Joy.” It premiered in 1824, though Beethoven is said to have aspired since around 1792 to set Schiller’s poem to his own music someday.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Autumn Moon Over the Calm LakeLü Wencheng

Wencheng: Autumn Moon on a Calm Lake

The piece by Lü Wencheng, a master of traditional Chinese music, is a masterpiece that paints the beautiful scenery of West Lake in sound.

Skillfully blending Cantonese music with the silk-and-bamboo traditions of Zhejiang Province, it depicts the autumn moon reflected on the tranquil lake surface with flowing, elegant melodies.

Composed in the 1930s, the work has been highly acclaimed in the Chinese music world and performed by many pianists.

Its richly expressive tones, conveying serenity and the beauty of nature, bring deep comfort to listeners.

It is a recommended piece for those who wish to immerse themselves in music with a calm heart on a long autumn night.

Pictures at an ExhibitionModest Mussorgsky

M. Mussorgsky / Suite 'Pictures at an Exhibition'

Pictures at an Exhibition is a piece composed by Modest Mussorgsky, a Russian composer known as one of the “Mighty Handful.” Originally a piano suite, it was neither performed nor published during Mussorgsky’s lifetime, but it became widely known after the French composer Maurice Ravel orchestrated it in 1922.

Even if you don’t recognize the title, you might recognize the melody of the Promenade.

Fans of 1970s progressive rock may also be familiar with Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s arrangement.

There’s also an electronic synthesizer version by Isao Tomita, so it’s fun to listen and enjoy the differences among these interpretations.

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