A poignant classic masterpiece. Recommended classical music.
Introducing heartrending classical pieces in one go!
Even when we say “heartrending classical music,” the moods and styles vary widely.
This time, we’ve picked out a range of moving masterpieces—from piano and violin works to miniatures, chamber music, concertos, and orchestral pieces.
Alongside the classics, we’ve lined up a wide selection that includes lesser-known, more obscure works that even avid classical listeners might not immediately recognize.
Whether you’re just getting into classical music or already deeply immersed, there’s plenty to enjoy—so please relax and read to the end!
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Heart-wrenching classics: Recommended classical music (61–70)
Symphonic Poem ‘My Homeland’ — The MoldauBedrich Smetana
Bedřich Smetana was a Czech composer.
Because German was the dominant language at the time he composed, the piece is known by the German title “The Moldau,” but its original name is the Czech “Vltava.” It’s a very famous work—its beautiful, majestic music is even included in middle school textbooks.
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.
Suite ‘Mirrors’: A Boat on the OceanClaude Debussy
How about a piano piece that carries a cool breeze on a summer afternoon? The opening movement of Claude Debussy’s Petite Suite for piano four hands offers a gentle, beautiful melody that evokes a small boat gliding gracefully across the water and sinks deep into the heart.
Sparkling light and the rippling of water seem to come into view, as if enjoying an Impressionist painting rendered in sound.
First performed in February 1889 in a piano four-hands rendition with the composer himself participating, the work is said to have been influenced by the poetry of Paul Verlaine.
It was later arranged for orchestra in 1907, which has its own distinct charm.
Rich in poetic atmosphere that helps you forget the heat, this piece is perfect for those who wish to enjoy music quietly or add a beautiful accent to everyday life.
The gentle resonance of the piano is sure to bring a most pleasant time.
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.
Serenade, No. 4 from SchwanengesangFranz Peter Schubert
Swan Song is a collection of 14 songs compiled by publishers and friends after Schubert’s death.
The fourth song, Serenade, is sung over an accompaniment that evokes a mandolin, expressing feelings for a lover.
Liszt’s piano arrangement and Mertz’s guitar arrangement are also well loved.
Symphony No. 9 “From the New World,” Second MovementAntonín Dvořák
Symphony No.
9 “From the New World” is a representative work from the American period of the Czech composer Dvořák.
The subtitle “From the New World” reflects that Dvořák composed it while thinking of his homeland, Bohemia, from America.
The theme played by the English horn is very famous and has been given lyrics and arranged into songs such as “Going Home” and “Far Away on the Distant Mountain at Sunset,” which are beloved.
“Spring and Autumn” from “Blizzard”Georgy Sviridov
Georgy Sviridov, a composer who represents late 20th-century Russia, remains popular today as a national figure.
In a piece that begins with a flute theme—like spring and autumn—it is crafted into a wistful work that evokes a distant, unseen homeland amid a sense of melancholy.