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!

Playlist

Recommended classical masterpieces for autumn
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Nocturne No. 15 in F minor, Op. 55 No. 1Frederic Chopin		Frédéric, who left as many as 21 beautiful nocturnes, ...
2	The Seasons, Op. 37b – October: Autumn SongPyotr Tchaikovsky		The great Russian composer, Pyotr Tchaik...
3	The Maiden with Flaxen HairClaude Debussy		Delicate and beautiful works such as “Clair de Lune” and “Arabesque”…
4	September (from Das Jahr)Fanny Mendelssohn		A composer representing the German Romantic movement of the 19th century…
5	Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight,” First MovementLudwig van Beethoven		Moonlight Sonata, a masterpiece that plays sorrow
6	Variations on AkatomboMiyake Haruna		Some people might first think of this as an autumn nursery song or children’s song…
7	Liebesträume No. 3Franz Liszt		Franz Li..., the great master of music whom Hungary is proud of,
8	Piano Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight”Ludwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s piano so… composed in 1801
9	Gnossiennes No. 1 in Three PartsÉric Satie		A wistful piano piece that resonates with Satie’s heart
10	Autumn over the four seasonsAntonio Vivaldi		When Antonio Vivaldi was 47 years old...
11	From the four seasons: “Autumn”Joseph Haydn		An Austrian composer representing the Classical period, Fr...
12	November StepsTakemitsu Tōru		The Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu’s “November…”
13	Suite bergamasque, No. 3: Clair de LuneClaude Debussy		Clair de Lune is a serene and enchanting masterpiece.
14	Kinderszenen, Op. 15, No. 7: “Träumerei”Robert Schumann		The beautiful, dreamlike melody “Träumerei”
15	“The Four Seasons” — 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op. 37bis: October, “Autumn Song”Pyotr Tchaikovsky		Consisting of 12 pieces depicting quintessential scenes of Russia…
16	Autumn GardenEinojuhani Rautavaara		When people say classical music, I think of around the 19th century...
17	No. 10 in F minor, Op. 213 “In Autumn”Joseph Joachim Raff		Something so well-known that it’s in the textbooks and everyone knows it…
18	Autumn from “Folk Songs of the Four Seasons”Ralph Vaughan Williams		Ray, a British-born figure who was active in the early 20th century...
19	September from Four Last SongsRichard Strauss		Hailing from Germany and regarded as a representative figure of the late Romantic era...
20	Préludes, Book II, No. 2 “Dead Leaves”Claude Debussy		Left behind numerous works as delicate and beautiful as paintings...
21	La CampanellaFranz Liszt		A musician representing Hungary and a pia…
22	The TypewriterLeroy Anderson		They actually used a typewriter as a musical instrument…
23	The Planets (suite)Gustav Holst		When you hear Holst, “Jupiter” immediately comes to mind...
24	Symphony No. 9, From the New World, Fourth MovementAntonín Dvořák		For those who are hearing this majestic melody for the first time, well...
25	Peter and the WolfSergei Prokofiev		Known in Japan under the title “Peter and the Wolf,” this…
26	Viola Concerto in G majorGeorg Philipp Telemann		For those who aren’t very familiar with it, the violi…
27	BoleroMaurice Ravel		The piece’s theme is the incredibly famous…
28	Symphony No. 7Ludwig van Beethoven		One of the most important composers in the history of music, Be…
29	Overture “1812”Pyotr Tchaikovsky		It depicts the scene of Napoleon’s Russian campaign...
30	In the ForestAlbert Ketèlbey		A piano piece that evokes a sun-dappled forest
31	Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D 960 — Movement III: Allegro vivace con delicatezzaFranz Schubert		The profound emotion and beauty of Schubert’s masterpieces
32	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D 667 “Trout” — III. Scherzo: PrestoFranz Schubert		The charm of chamber music like spring
33	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D. 667 “Trout” — IV. Theme and Variations: AndantinoFranz Schubert		Schubert’s captivating chamber piece “The Trout”
34	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D 667 “Trout” — V. Finale: Allegro giustoFranz Schubert		Schubert's beautiful string quintet
35	Symphony No. 7 “Unfinished” in B minor, Movement II: Andante con motoFranz Schubert		An orchestral work of deep lyricism and tranquil afterglow
36	String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D 804 “Rosamunde,” Movement IIFranz Schubert		Gem-like chamber music works that resonate with the heart
37	String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D. 804 “Rosamunde,” Movement IIIFranz Schubert		Masterpieces from the Classical to the Romantic era, graceful melodies
38	Erlkönig (arranged by Hector Berlioz)Franz Schubert		The Fate of Parent and Child Painted by the Demon King's Music
39	String Quartet No. 2, Movement 1Alexander Borodin		The beautiful melody of a string quartet filled with love
40	Pavane for a Newborn PrincessCharles-Henry		Elegant music that celebrates the birth of life
41	EARTHMuramatsu Takatsugu		An inspiring piece that plays the beauty of nature
42	“The Four Seasons” – 12 Character Pieces, Op. 37a: October, “Autumn Song”Pyotr Tchaikovsky		Pyotr..., a great composer who represents modern music,
43	Forest of NovemberArnold Bax		someone who isn’t well-versed in classical or contemporary music…
44	HerbstliedFelix Mendelssohn		A composer representing the German Romantic movement of the 19th century…
45	Waltz of the PuppiesFrederic Chopin		Known by the nickname “Puppy Waltz”…
46	Prelude No. 15 in 24 Preludes “Raindrop”Frederic Chopin		A composer who stands as a representative of early Romantic music, and…
47	Autumn ThoughtsJules Massenet		The French composer Jules Massenet is an ope…
48	Syncopated ClockLeroy Anderson		An important composer in modern music, Leroy A...
49	Symphony No. 9 “With Chorus”Ludwig van Beethoven		In Japan, it is affectionately known by the abbreviation “Daiku” (the Ninth), and every year…
50	Autumn Moon Over the Calm LakeLü Wencheng		A piece by Lü Wencheng, a master of traditional Chinese music…
51	Pictures at an ExhibitionModest Mussorgsky		“Pictures at an Exhibition” is by the Russian composer and…
52	Dreaming (Träumerei) from Scenes from ChildhoodRobert Schumann		When it comes to Robert Schumann, he is a German...
53	Symphonic Poem “Finlandia”Sibelius		Finnish composer Jean Sibelius...
54	The Seasons: I. AutumnThea Musgrave		As a piece that depicts an autumn scene through music, Sko…
55	Variations on “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Speaking of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” absolutely everyone in Japan…
56	Oboe ConcertoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		An oboe piece composed by Mozart in 1777…
57	Suite from the ballet “The Firebird”Igor Stravinsky		An unusual figure who originally aimed to become a lawyer…
58	The Blue and Beautiful DanubeJohann Strauss II		Composed by Johann Strauss II in 1867...
59	“The Seasons” – 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op. 37bis: October “Autumn Song”Pyotr Tchaikovsky		…has had a profound influence on contemporary artists as well.
60	Autumn from The Four Seasons, Op. 67Alexander Glazunov		From around the mid-19th century to the early 20th century…
61	Symphony No. 4 in E-flat major “Romantic”Anton Bruckner		With the subtitle titled 'Romantic'...
62	Vltava (Moldau)Bedrich Smetana		A figure representing the Czech Republic, who had also taken part in the national independence movement…
63	The Carnival of the AnimalsCamille Saint-Saëns		Carnival—so-called 'Carnevale'—is the period before Lent…
64	Bergamasque Suite: Clair de LuneClaude Debussy		Debussy’s piano solo piece, ‘Bergama…’
65	Greeting of LoveEdward Elgar		British composer Edward Elgar 1…
66	Rhapsody in BlueGeorge Gershwin		American composer George—this became the catalyst...
67	CarmenGeorges Bizet		Used in various situations, it makes your body sway before you know it…
68	Hallelujah Chorus from “Messiah”Georg Friedrich Händel		This piece belongs to a genre that Handel had newly turned his attention to…
69	The Fall of the LeafImogen Holst		To the British composer Imogen Holst…
70	Autumn MusicJennifer Higdon		Contemporary classical music that vividly depicts an autumn scene…
71	CanonJohann Pachelbel		German composer of the Baroque era, Johan Pa...
72	Symphony No. 5, First Movement “Fate”Ludwig van Beethoven		This piece is Beethoven’s Fifth…
73	Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral”Ludwig van Beethoven		Symphony No. 6, known as the “Pastoral,” is…
74	The Sorcerer’s ApprenticeDeyukasu		This is the French composer Paul Dukas...