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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Classic masterpieces recommended for autumn (51–60)
Suite from the ballet “The Firebird”Igor Stravinsky
The Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, who originally aspired to become a lawyer, had an unusual background and is celebrated as a “chameleon composer.” Not only did he write the famous trilogy of ballets, but he also shifted to a neoclassical style and, in his later years, continued composing traditional sacred music.
As a multifaceted, unorthodox composer, he exerted a profound influence on the musical history of the 20th century.
Stravinsky’s The Firebird is, as mentioned, a pivotal work that forms one corner of that ballet trilogy.
In fact, there’s an anecdote that Osamu Tezuka’s famous work Phoenix (Hi no Tori) was inspired after Tezuka saw this very ballet, The Firebird.
Reflecting on that story while savoring the arts in autumn—it’s an exquisitely luxurious way to spend one’s time, isn’t it?
The Blue and Beautiful DanubeJohann Strauss II
Here is a Viennese waltz composed by Johann Strauss II in 1867.
The Viennese waltz is a style of waltz that was popular in 19th-century Vienna, characterized by uneven lengths within the three beats, with the second beat played slightly early.
Along with “Tales from the Vienna Woods” and the “Emperor Waltz,” it is regarded as one of the three great waltzes by Johann Strauss II and is affectionately known in Austria as a second national anthem.
It was originally written as a choral work, but its lyrics have been rewritten several times to suit the times.
“The Seasons” – 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op. 37bis: October “Autumn Song”Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Tchaikovsky, the great composer who has had a profound influence on modern artists.
Tchaikovsky created many masterpieces, but the one I especially recommend is The Seasons – 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op.
37bis: October, “Autumn Song.” This cycle portrays both the lives of ordinary people through the seasons and the seasons themselves.
In this particular piece, the dark melody—imbued with a poignant sense of longing, like autumn’s arrival and the falling of leaves—is especially captivating.
Be sure to check it out.
Autumn from The Four Seasons, Op. 67Alexander Glazunov
Alexander Glazunov, a Russian composer who was active from the mid-19th to the early 20th century and also distinguished himself as an educator.
A child prodigy from a young age, he not only left a wide range of compositions but also made major contributions as a conservatory director in training the next generation.
His The Seasons is a romantic ballet score that vividly evokes Russia’s grand landscapes and is among his most popular works.
It is also well known in its wind band arrangements, which are frequently performed.
From The Seasons, let us introduce Autumn, a piece that fits the theme of this article.
Said to center on a harvest festival, it offers an overall dynamic performance while retaining delicate sonorities.
It departs from the melancholic, lonely image of autumn and invites you to imagine an autumnal scene quintessentially Russian as you listen.
Classic Masterpieces Recommended for Autumn (61–70)
Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major “Romantic”Anton Bruckner
This work was written by the Austrian composer and organist Anton Bruckner, also known by its subtitle, “Romantic.” Bruckner is often regarded as a composer favored by connoisseurs, as many of his pieces are complex and lengthy.
Among his works, however, the Symphony No.
4 in E-flat major features relatively shorter performance time and approachable melodies, making it a good recommendation for those new to Bruckner.
It is also the piece that helped establish his reputation.
Of course, “short” is relative—its performance time is just under an hour—so settle in on a long autumn evening and give it a careful listen.
Vltava (Moldau)Bedrich Smetana
This is a cycle of symphonic poems composed between 1874 and 1879 by Bedřich Smetana, a leading Czech composer who also took part in the movement for national independence.
Among the works in Má vlast (My Country), the most famous is “Vltava (The Moldau).” Even if you don’t know the piece in detail, you may have at least heard its title.
It begins in a minor key that feels calm yet buoyant; after a while, the strings layer upon one another, creating a solemn sound image that conjures green landscapes and the flow of a river.
It seems to depict the current of the Vltava River itself, and you may sense a certain pastoral nostalgia.
With its brilliant latter half in a major key and its distinct palette of colors, the piece can be called a second national anthem of the Czech Republic, imbued with Smetana’s patriotism.
It is a masterpiece that evokes the beauty of autumnal scenery and invites careful, lingering listening.
The Carnival of the AnimalsCamille Saint-Saëns
Carnival, the so-called carnevale, is originally a religious event held before Lent, but in modern times the term is used more broadly to refer to festivals and annual events that aren’t tied to that background.
Many people probably feel the end of summer and the beginning of autumn by taking part in the Asakusa Samba Carnival, held in Asakusa on the last Saturday of August every year.
A perfect classical piece to listen to at such times is The Carnival of the Animals.
It’s a suite of 14 pieces composed by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, originally written as chamber music.
It even includes parodies of existing classical works, which makes it great fun.
Personally, I’m reminded of Movement No.
7, Aquarium, which was used in a memorable scene in Nodame Cantabile.