RAG MusicClassic
Lovely classics

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!

Masterpieces of classical music that are too beautiful. Recommended classical music (41–50)

The Carnival of the Animals, No. 13: The SwanCamille Saint-Saëns

A celebrated work by Camille Saint-Saëns, based on a melody from the suite Le Carnaval des animaux.

Originally conceived as one of the pieces in a suite intended as entertainment for Carnival in early 1886, it was the only movement the composer allowed to be published during his lifetime.

The flowing melody played by the cello evokes the elegant figure of a swan gliding over the water and conjures the dreamlike imagery of the legendary “swan song.” The ballet The Dying Swan, created by Anna Pavlova in 1905 to this music, is renowned worldwide, and figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu’s exhibition performance to the piece also moved many audiences.

This is a piece for those who want to immerse themselves in the beautiful tone of the cello—a sound that seems to make you forget the summer heat and refresh the spirit.

Masterpieces of classical music that are just too beautiful. Recommended classical music (51–60)

dreamClaude Debussy

Debussy 'Reverie' Haneda Kentaro
dreamClaude Debussy

What we introduce here is a beautiful piano miniature by Claude Debussy from 1890, as if drifting through a dream.

It is characterized by a gently sweet melody and arpeggios that weave a fantastical atmosphere, inviting the listener into a pleasant doze.

Close your eyes quietly, and you can almost see a cool, serene scene—like dozing in the shade on a summer day.

The piece was later given lyrics by Larry Clinton and became a hit in 1938 as “My Reverie,” sung by artists including Bing Crosby.

It’s highly recommended for those seeking a musical experience that makes you forget the summer heat, or for times when you want to soak in a calm mood—you’re sure to have a lovely time listening.

Hymn No. 320: “Nearer, My God, to Thee”Eliza Flower)

André Rieu – Nearer, My God, to Thee (live in Amsterdam)
Hymn No. 320: “Nearer, My God, to Thee”Eliza Flower)

The hymn based on Jacob’s dream is a work themed around the desire to draw closer to God.

Set to a beautiful melody by Eliza Flower, it has continued to move listeners deeply.

Its lyrics convey the meaning of approaching God even through hardship, and it is also known from the Titanic episode.

In Japan, it has been used in the final episode of A Dog of Flanders and at funerals, and is cherished as a song of parting tinged with poignancy.

This piece is recommended for those facing life’s trials and for anyone seeking a hymn that resonates with the heart.

Since its publication in 1841, it has become a classic sung around the world.

String Quartet No. 2, Movement 1Alexander Borodin

Borodin: Quartet No. 2 in D major for Strings, I. Allegro moderato
String Quartet No. 2, Movement 1Alexander Borodin

Known as a masterpiece brimming with lyrical beauty, this string quartet captivates with its sweet, lovestruck melodies and delicate fragility.

Highlights include the theme that begins in the cello and passes to the first violin, as well as the lively interplay among the instruments.

It is also a highly rewarding piece for performers.

Begun in July 1881 and completed by September—a remarkably swift pace—the work overflows with a warm resonance filled with love.

It is an ideal choice for those who wish to savor beautiful melodies and rich expressiveness.

String Quartet No. 1, Second Movement: Andante cantabilePyotr Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 1, 2nd Movement | MMCJ | Yokohama Web Stage
String Quartet No. 1, Second Movement: Andante cantabilePyotr Tchaikovsky

This is a gem of a masterpiece inspired by a Ukrainian folk song.

The serene melody born from the harmony of the strings evokes deep emotion in the listener.

Its beautiful tune, which gently enfolds the feelings of a young person in love, delicately portrays the subtleties of human emotion.

There is an anecdote that even Russia’s great literary giant Tolstoy was moved to tears by this work.

masterfully expressing both the anxieties and hopes of love, it is a piece that offers solace to those troubled by romance.

The moving performance at a special concert in December 1876 was recorded by the composer in his diary as a lifelong source of pride.

Waltz No. 10Frederic Chopin

Waltz No. 10 (Chopin) – Chopin: Waltz in B minor, Op. 69 No. 2 – pianomaedaful
Waltz No. 10Frederic Chopin

Waltz No.

10 in B minor, Op.

69, No.

2 by Frédéric Chopin evokes a feeling as if your chest is tightly gripped by a melody suffused with melancholy.

Composed when Chopin was around 19, it stands out for its simple structure and unadorned, memorable tune.

While the main theme is filled with heartache, the middle section warms into a tender, happy mood, as though reminiscing about joyful days long past.

Yet that warmth is fleeting, and we are drawn back into deep sorrow.

Why not listen to it when you want to linger in a bittersweet mood or gently work through your sadness?

Spring Song from Songs Without WordsFelix Mendelssohn

Among the 48 Songs Without Words, this is the most famous piece.

With its short form and approachable melody, the collection has become one of Mendelssohn’s signature works.

The title was not given by Mendelssohn himself; because the score begins with the indication “like a spring song,” it came to be popularly known as “Spring Song.” The piece conveys a sense of longing for spring and a fresh, cheerful atmosphere.