Classical piano masterpieces: legendary performances from around the world you should hear at least once
“Classical piano sounds interesting, but where should I start listening?” Even within classical piano, the music differs greatly by era, style, and composer—and everyone’s tastes vary.
This feature is an introductory guide just for you.
It broadly covers famous and popular pieces from across times and places, so you’re sure to discover a piece you love.
Once you find a favorite, it’s fun to compare works by the same composer or pieces written in the same period.
Classical piano masterpieces: The world’s must-hear legendary performances (1–10)
Four Impromptus, Op. 90Franz Schubert
After Beethoven systematized compositional forms, the Romantic era arrived.
Some consider Schubert, an early Romantic composer, to mark the dawn of the Romantic movement.
More than formal structure, pieces that valued personal emotion—such as the impromptu—can be cited as examples.
Grand Étude after Paganini No. 3 “La Campanella”Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt—Liszt is a famous pianist on par with Chopin.
In contrast to the small-statured Chopin, Liszt was tall and apparently had very large hands.
His hand size is fully showcased in the Grandes études de Paganini No.
3, “La Campanella.” It’s a wonderful piece that portrays the sound of bells through rapid alternation of the thumb and little finger.
As expected of Liszt.
Large hands are a treasure for a pianist.
Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Mozart, who reportedly improvised on the piano at age four and displayed extraordinary talent for composition and performance at age five, may be considered one of the earliest in the lineage of genius pianists.
The “Turkish March” is the third movement of his Piano Sonata No.
11.
Liebestraum No. 3Franz Liszt
Famous for being used by figure skater Mao Asada, this piece evokes a somewhat fantastical and fleeting kind of love.
While Liszt is often associated with rapid, highly challenging passages, this work, even within its relaxed atmosphere, is imbued with that quintessential Liszt character.
Etude Op. 10 No. 12 “Revolutionary”Frederic Chopin
The Étude Op.
10 No.
12 “Revolutionary” launches with a fierce opening, and the rushing storm of sound that follows is truly worthy of the title “Revolutionary.” The slight-of-stature Frédéric Chopin—Chopin—turned his small hands into an advantage, excelling at intricate, fast pieces.
It’s an overwhelming and thrilling work.
Please give it a listen.
Dreaming (Träumerei) from Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann, a leading composer of the German Romantic era in the 19th century.
Composed in 1838, the gem-like piano collection Scenes from Childhood looks back on childhood from an adult’s perspective.
Known as the seventh piece, this work captivates with its unforgettable melody and distinctive harmonies.
Its dreamy atmosphere beautifully conveys the innocence and fragility of childhood.
This 2-minute-59-second miniature, shining with Schumann’s poetic sensibility, remains a beloved masterpiece of piano music to this day.
It’s a perfect choice for those seeking soothing, gentle tones.
Songs Without Words “Spring Song”Felix Mendelssohn
Mendelssohn was a prodigy so precocious he was called the Mozart of the 19th century.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is famous, and he wrote many works that seem to translate landscapes into music.
Songs Without Words is by far the most famous collection among his piano pieces.