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Lovely classics

Chopin’s masterpieces. Popular classical music.

Are you looking for famous piano pieces and beautiful melodies?

Here are some masterpieces and recommended works by Frédéric Chopin, a pianist and composer who represents the early Romantic era in Poland.

Chopin composed as many as 21 nocturnes, and he also left a wealth of piano works in many other styles—such as mazurkas, waltzes, and polonaises—which is why he is known as the Poet of the Piano.

Let yourself be captivated for a while by the beautiful melodies woven by Chopin.

Chopin’s masterpieces. Popular classical music (21–30)

Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Frederic Chopin

Tomoharu Ushida – Chopin:Ballade No.4 in F minor, op.52(Live Video 2022)
Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Frederic Chopin

There are many difficult works by Chopin, such as Etude Op.

25 No.

6 and Etude Op.

25 No.

11 “Winter Wind,” but if we were to name a highly challenging piece that most fully embodies Chopin’s essence, it would be the Ballade No.

4 in F minor, Op.

52.

It features numerous double notes and repeatedly presents intricate passages, making it one of the most difficult in Chopin’s repertoire.

The abundance of double notes is emblematic of Chopin’s style, so listeners who love his music will find it especially appealing.

Étude No. 3, Op. 10-3 “Tristesse” (Farewell Song)Frederic Chopin

Niu Niu: Chopin – Étude No. 3 in E major, Op. 10, “Tristesse” (Farewell Song)
Étude No. 3, Op. 10-3 "Tristesse" (Farewell Song)Frederic Chopin

Etude is a word that means “study” or “practice piece.” Even people who aren’t interested in the piano widely know this piece as “Farewell Song,” because it was used as the main theme in a German film released in 1934 whose Japanese title was “Farewell Song.”

Chopin’s masterpieces. Popular classical music (31–40)

Ballade No. 1 in G minorFrederic Chopin

Chopin / Ballade No. 1 in G minor / Performed by Konosuke Takao
Ballade No. 1 in G minorFrederic Chopin

It’s a piece well-suited to a narrative ballad, with dynamic contrasts and very dramatic shifts of scene throughout.

The theme’s resonance is exquisitely gentle and beautiful, and even within its intensity you can feel a deep affection—truly a gem.

The left-hand accompaniment of the main theme is also beautiful.

Piano Sonata No. 2, Third Movement: “Funeral March”Frederic Chopin

Chopin / Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor “Funeral March,” Movement III, Op. 35, CT 202
Piano Sonata No. 2, Third Movement: “Funeral March”Frederic Chopin

Speaking of the third movement, “Funeral March,” from the Piano Sonata No.

2, it’s a masterpiece that includes the famous “Funeral March” phrase everyone has heard across various media.

This somber main theme is said to musically depict the dark circumstances in Poland at the time.

Etude Op. 25 No. 11 “Winter Wind”Frederic Chopin

Chopin — Étude Op. 25 No. 11 “Winter Wind” CT 26-37 / Takahiro Sonoda
Etude Op. 25 No. 11 “Winter Wind”Frederic Chopin

Frederic Chopin’s Étude Op.

25 No.

11, “Winter Wind,” composed in 1836, is a masterpiece celebrated for its superb melody that hardly feels like an étude.

However, it is also technically very demanding: the left hand carries the melody while the right hand continuously executes brilliant technical passages.

With the melody almost entirely in the left hand, it overturns the common notion that the melody belongs to the right hand, making it shine not only as an étude but also as a concert piece.

Nocturne No. 8 in D-flat major, Op. 27, No. 2Frederic Chopin

Nobuyuki Tsujii / Nocturne No. 8 in D-flat major, Op. 27 No. 2
Nocturne No. 8 in D-flat major, Op. 27, No. 2Frederic Chopin

Nocturne No.

8 in D-flat major, Op.

27 No.

2 is widely known as one of the finest pieces among Chopin’s nocturnes.

A nocturne is, in other words, a “night piece.” Its sweet, captivating melody enchants listeners and has earned it the nickname “The Lady’s Nocturne.”

Prelude No. 7 from 24 PreludesFrederic Chopin

Chopin – 24 Preludes, No. 7 in A major, Op. 28-7 / Performed by Kyoko Nakagawa
Prelude No. 7 from 24 PreludesFrederic Chopin

Among the pieces titled “Prelude,” this one is especially popular and is well known for being used in the Ohta Isan commercial.

Although it is a very short piece, it is packed with Chopin’s distinctive character, and I highly recommend listening to it in full (the commercial uses the full version as well…).

The performance does not require particularly advanced techniques, making it a good choice for beginners.