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.
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Classical piano masterpieces: World-famous performances you should hear at least once (21–30)
Polonaise No. 6 “Heroic Polonaise”Frederic Chopin
It is a type of dance song that, along with the mazurka, symbolizes Poland.
Its fiery melody, reminiscent of a military march, is so grand that anyone who hears it even once will feel emboldened.
It’s such a masterpiece that listening to it on your way to work or school might help you say goodbye to those gloomy morning feelings.
Gaspard de la nuit No. 3: ScarboMaurice Ravel
This piece, whose title evokes meanings like demon and mischievous fairy, features an eerie melody that races about at high speed, giving the impression of tiny devils freely floating around.
It is a work that exudes a sense of uncanny mystery, and performing it demands extraordinary virtuosity.
Piano Concerto, Episode 3Sergei Rachmaninov
This is a work in which the beauty of Rachmaninoff, founded upon highly advanced technique, truly stands out.
Yefim Bronfman is a pianist born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in the former Soviet Union.
The Rachmaninoff piano concerto he performs is a very famous piece, presented in collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic.
Grand Etude No. 6 “Theme and Variations” by PaganiniFranz Liszt
Using the melody that begins the piece as its main theme, this work unfolds while constantly shifting character.
It is so famous that many people may feel they have heard it even if they do not recognize its name.
Originally an extremely difficult piece for violin, it was arranged by Liszt into a set of variations for piano that faithfully reproduces even the technical challenges of the original.
ToccataSergei Prokofiev
A Russian composer who created a unique musical style that blends modern austerity with traditional classical elements, as well as Russian and European influences.
Although the Toccata is quite distinctive, it is a popular piece that many pianists include in their repertoire.
Three GymnopédiesErik Satie
Since Haydn, Classical and Romantic music typically belonged to major or minor keys and progressed dramatically toward a single focal point.
The first music to change this trajectory emerged from France, and the catalyst was this piece by Satie.
Five Piano PiecesArnold Schönberg
The person often said to be the first to dismantle the long-standing Western tonal music is the German composer Schoenberg (though some argue it was Hauer).
He created works ranging from atonal music to twelve-tone music, which treats all twelve pitches equally.
This piece is a famous work that served as a bridge from atonality to twelve-tone technique.