Timelessly beautiful classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
A showcase of stunningly beautiful classics, all at once!
There are so many beautiful pieces in classical music, aren’t there?
This time, I’ve selected works that are especially beautiful—“classics that are just too beautiful.”
It’s a lineup of masterpieces that have been passed down through a long history.
When you think of beautiful classical music, many people imagine something calm and refreshing, but I’ve also picked pieces not only for solo piano but also for voice and full orchestra.
Now then, please take your time and enjoy!
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- [Violin] A curated selection of beloved classic masterpieces and popular pieces that continue to be cherished across eras
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- [Ultra-Advanced] Even challenging for advanced players! A curated selection of highly difficult piano pieces
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Masterpieces of Classical Music That Are Too Beautiful. Recommended Classical Music (71–80)
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6J.S.Bach
The Brandenburg Concertos are a collection of six concertos featuring various instrumentations and styles.
They are thought to have been composed by Bach during his tenure as Kapellmeister at the court of Prince Leopold of Köthen, for the court orchestra there.
Later, they were compiled and dedicated to the Margrave of Brandenburg, which is why they are called the Brandenburg Concertos.
Prince Leopold was very fond of music and maintained, for the time, a relatively large and highly skilled orchestra.
Because Bach wrote these works for performance by that ensemble, they are pieces of high density both technically and musically, putting the soloists’ abilities to the test.
Gymnopédie No. 1Erik Satie
Gymnopédie No.
1 from the three piano pieces composed in 1888 by the French composer Erik Satie.
Subtitled “Lent et douloureux” (“Slow and painful”), the first piece is the most famous of the three and can be considered one of Satie’s signature works.
Although the music overflows with a transparent clarity that evokes a watercolor painting, the occasional anguished chords that surface amid its gentle, unhurried flow convey a sense of suffering and poignancy.
It is a calm piece that quietly seeps into the heart, making it perfect for listening before sleep or whenever you want to soothe your mind.
Water MusicHenderu
A work in which majestic and resplendent orchestral melodies resound with beauty.
Composed by Handel for a boating party on the River Thames in July 1717, this piece musically depicts the gentle flow of the river.
The rich sonorities woven by a variety of instruments—such as horns, oboes, and strings—create an elegant, soothing atmosphere, like light shimmering on the water’s surface.
Even today, its universal appeal is evident in its use as the theme music for NHK-FM’s “Enjoying Early Music” and as the departure melody at Kyoto Station.
It is a recommended piece for tasks or study that require concentration, or whenever you wish to quietly calm your mind.
Barcarolle No. 2 in F-sharp minor from Songs Without Words, Book IIFelix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn, a German composer who left behind many delicate and graceful works, is especially known for his collection of short piano pieces called Songs Without Words.
The collection is divided into eight volumes, and the melancholy melody of Venetian Boat Song No.
2 in F-sharp minor, included in the second volume, is a celebrated piece that brings tears to the eyes.
Although all 48 pieces have titles, Mendelssohn himself named only five of them.
Venetian Boat Song No.
2 in F-sharp minor is one of those and is cherished as an exceptionally beautiful and striking work among the Songs Without Words.
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14Sergei Rachmaninov
Sergei Rachmaninoff, one of Russia’s greatest composers.
Among his works, the piece I especially recommend is Vocalise, Op.
34 No.
14.
As the title suggests, a “vocalise” is a singing technique that uses only vowel sounds.
Its heart-wrenchingly melancholic melody is also highly appealing as a piano piece.
If you’re drawn to themes of deep sorrow and wistfulness, this work will surely resonate with you.
Be sure to give it a listen.
