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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A poignant classic masterpiece. Recommended classical music (71–80)
ElegySergei Rachmaninov
Sergei Rachmaninoff, a composer who was forced to flee Russia and take asylum in the United States.
Many of his works have a dark, melancholic character, revealing how deeply they were written with his homeland in mind.
In the latter half of the piece, a powerful swell brings forth a wave of sorrowful melody.
It’s a magnificent work that makes you want to listen again.
Romantic Scene: EpilogueEnric Granados
The graceful strains woven from Romantic music and Spanish folk traditions possess an elegance perfectly suited to adorn the solemn moments of a wedding.
Composed by Enrique Granados in 1904 as the concluding piece of his piano suite Scenes of Romance, this work displays a splendid harmony between the right hand’s sweet melody and the left hand’s arpeggios.
Its serene melody in E-flat major seems to gently enfold the couple’s hopes for the future.
A gem that fully showcases Granados’s delicate sensibility—he was also a recipient of France’s Legion of Honour—it provides an ideal atmosphere to accompany treasured moments such as the exchange of rings or the cutting of the cake.
Songs Without Words, Book II, Op. 30: No. 6, Venetian Boat Song No. 2Felix Mendelssohn
This piece is filled with the charm of Felix Mendelssohn, the great master of the early German Romantic era.
Born in February 1809, Mendelssohn displayed his talent from a young age.
This work is one of his hallmark Songs Without Words, depicting scenes of Venice through music.
Within its gentle 6/8 meter, it skillfully conveys the quiet sway of a gondola and the occasional surges of emotion.
The calm accompaniment in the left hand and the memorable melodic line in the right leave a deep resonance in the listener’s heart.
Though tranquil, the piece carries a touch of poignancy, making it a soul-stirring work you’ll want to listen to alone on a quiet night.
“Two Elegiac Melodies,” No. 2: “Spring”Edvard Hagerup Grieg
This piece has also been translated as “Spring That Has Passed,” “The Spring That Has Passed,” or “The Last Spring,” and it is one of two songs—along with “Wounded Heart”—that the composer arranged for string ensemble from his own song collection, Twelve Melodies.
According to the song’s lyrics, although spring has finally arrived in the Nordic lands, for the singer it may be the last spring.
Ave verum corpusWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Hailed as a “miraculous masterpiece” in the world of classical music, this work’s profound piety and serene beauty resonate deeply with listeners.
Though it spans only 46 measures, the power of prayer contained within is immeasurable.
Beginning in D major and modulating deftly through A major, F major, and D minor, its technique attests to the composer’s extraordinary skill.
At its premiere on June 23, 1791, in a small church on the outskirts of Vienna, many in the audience were moved to tears by its beauty.
This piece is recommended not only for those interested in sacred music, but also for anyone who wishes to engage with music in quiet contemplation.
Second Movement from the ‘Concierto de Aranjuez’Joaquín Rodrigo
Rodrigo, the great Spanish composer.
This is a famous guitar piece that is still frequently performed at concerts today.
The oboe and violin passages that appear between the guitar sections are also captivating, and while the piece feels grand, the resonance of the guitar truly strikes the heart.
Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D. 960: II. Andante sostenutoFranz Schubert
This final piano work of the composer’s life is a gem, suffused with a meditative atmosphere and profound emotion.
The theme in C-sharp minor begins with the resonance of a quiet prayer, then modulates to A major in the middle section, revealing a transformation of character as if bathed in warm light.
Composed in September 1828, the piece strongly reflects the late Franz Schubert’s sense of life’s transience and his views on life and death.
It is recommended for those who wish to explore the profound meaning of life through music or immerse themselves in introspective moments.
Its gently penetrating melody and delicate shifts in harmony stir the listener’s soul.