Masterpieces of classical piano that are too beautiful for words. A gathering of delicate tones that cleanse the soul.
The piano is a captivating instrument that transforms into a variety of expressions depending on the performer and the manner of interpretation.
Its delicate yet dynamic grace and its ineffable depth—paired with a vast palette of tones and rich resonance—are said to rival an entire orchestra with a single instrument.
This time, from among works that allow you to fully savor the piano’s timbre, we have selected pieces with a focus on “beauty.”
Whether you love to play the piano or to listen to it, we hope you will immerse yourself in its allure, savoring each delicate note one by one.
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Masterpieces of Classical Piano That Are Too Beautiful: A Gathering of Delicate, Soul-Cleansing Tones (21–30)
18 Pieces, Op. 72: No. 5, ‘Meditation’Pyotr Tchaikovsky
This is a work composed in the very last years of the great Russian composer Tchaikovsky.
He himself may have been becoming aware of his approaching death, but in any case, this piece is simply beautiful.
You can also sense a feeling of lingering attachment to this world.
Pavane for a Dead PrincessMaurice Ravel
Used in TV commercials and as insert songs in films, Maurice Ravel’s Pavane for a Dead Princess is likely the most frequently heard of his piano works.
A pavane is a type of court dance that spread from the 16th to the 17th century.
Even first-time listeners can immerse themselves in its pleasant atmosphere and feel the beauty of Impressionism.
It’s also a popular piece for recitals and isn’t especially difficult.
However, careful practice is essential to convey its elegance and delicacy.
Aim for a refined mood by playing with a gentle, rounded tone, free of sharp edges.
dreamClaude Debussy
It’s a solo piano piece composed by Debussy, also known in Japanese as “Musō” (“Reverie”).
Although originally for solo piano, overseas it is sometimes performed with added lyrics based on this piece.
As the title suggests, it gives you a pleasant feeling as if you were dreaming.
Debussy’s unique emotions and worldview are beautifully expressed in this work, and it resonates deeply with the heart.
La Campanella, No. 3 from Grandes études de PaganiniNiccolò Paganini
One of Niccolò Paganini’s signature works, La Campanella.
Needless to say, he was a violinist with one of the greatest performing techniques in human history.
He was also a great composer who left behind many masterpieces.
This piece is striking for its structure: it begins with an air of tragic solemnity and gradually shifts into a more comical, gothic atmosphere.
Although originally written as a violin concerto, it also pairs well with the piano, resulting in a rendition that feels even more surreal than the concerto.
Play of WaterMaurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel is one of the most famous composers of the modern classical era.
He is known for bringing diversity to classical music, creating numerous works that incorporated elements of jazz and blues—styles that had rarely been part of classical music before.
One of his representative pieces is Jeux d’eau (Fountains).
Although it strictly adheres to 4/4 time, the piece exhibits a wide range of changes throughout.
Like a water surface irregularly stirred by the wind, its rapidly shifting melodies evoke a sense of beauty while also setting the heart slightly on edge.
DedicationRobert Schumann=Franz Liszt
Composer Robert Schumann, who inherited the genes of Beethoven and Schubert in bold relief.
He was a great German composer with overwhelming talent for piano works and song cycles.
Among his pieces, one I especially recommend is Widmung (Dedication).
This piece has a profoundly romantic background: it was not composed as a formal opus at first, but was a song Schumann sent to his wife on the eve of their wedding.
With that background, you can feel the overflowing emotion in the melody.
Although it is part of a song cycle, there is also a version arranged for solo piano.
The solo piano version has an even more fantastical atmosphere, so I encourage you to listen to both and compare.
Ave MariaFranz Schubert
Schubert, a composer who represents Austria.
He is a very famous composer.
He created many masterpieces, but among them, this Ave Maria may be the piece that best suits the description “beautiful.” As one of Schubert’s very late works, it is an exceptionally refined composition in which not a single note is wasted.
On piano, you can savor that refined musicality even more.
Luciano Pavarotti’s operatic rendition of Ave Maria is also outstanding, so be sure to check it out.