Classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
Classical music created by various musicians over a long history.
From pieces whose beautiful melodies bring peace of mind to those whose grandeur overwhelms you, the range is truly diverse.
With so much out there, many people may feel, “I want to listen, but I don’t know where to start.”
For you, we’ve picked out some recommendations to get you started—“Begin with these!”
Please take a moment to enjoy the world of classical music that continues to be loved across the ages.
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- [François Couperin] Introducing famous and popular pieces by the composer who loved the harpsichord
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Classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music (1–10)
“Winter” from The Four Seasons, a violin concertoAntonio Lucio Vivaldi
“The Four Seasons” is the collective name for the first through fourth concertos of Vivaldi’s “The Contest Between Harmony and Invention,” titled Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
In the first movement of “Winter,” a scene of bitterly cold, fruit-freezing snow is depicted.
By contrast, the second movement portrays time flowing gently and peacefully inside a warm room with a fireplace.
The melody of the second movement has Japanese lyrics under the title “Shiroi Michi” (The White Road).
This song has also been broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” and is widely loved by people of all ages.
Etude No. 3 “Farewell”Frederic Chopin
You’ve probably heard the opening melody at least once.
Because this piece was used in the 1934 German film “Farewell to the Past,” which depicts Chopin’s life, it’s affectionately known in Japan as “Farewell to the Past.” Around the time this piece was written, Chopin had left his native Poland and moved his base to Paris.
Perhaps the music reflects both his longing for success in Paris and his nostalgia for the countryside.
Nessun dorma from the opera TurandotGiacomo Puccini
Turandot is the final opera composed by Puccini.
To marry the beautiful yet cruel Princess Turandot, one had to solve three riddles; those who failed would be beheaded.
The story tells of Calaf, a prince of the Tartar nation, who falls in love with Turandot, solves the riddles brilliantly, and the two are ultimately united.
Nessun dorma (“None shall sleep”) is sung in Act III as Calaf, confident of his victory, raises his voice in triumph.
It has become emblematic of opera itself and is frequently heard on television and elsewhere.
Classical Masterpieces: Recommended Classical Music (11–20)
Piano Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight”Ludwig van Beethoven
Among Beethoven’s piano sonatas, this work is widely beloved for its popular melody.
The nickname “Moonlight” comes from a comment by the poet Rellstab.
The first movement carries a solemnity that evokes the night, while the third movement, in contrast, is intensely dramatic, calling to mind storms and lightning.
It’s a piece that lets you enjoy Beethoven’s many facets.
Symphony No. 5 “Fate”Ludwig van Beethoven
When you mention Beethoven’s “Fate,” doesn’t everyone think of the famous opening “da-da-da-DUM”? It’s said that this title comes from Beethoven’s reported remark about the opening motif—“Thus fate knocks at the door”—as relayed by his pupil, Schindler.
This motif is also known as the “fate motif,” and it appears throughout the piece.
Try listening while searching for it.
Play of WaterMaurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel is one of the leading composers of Impressionist music, a style that emerged in early 20th-century France and placed emphasis on the expression of moods and atmosphere.
At the beginning of the score appears a line from Henri de Régnier’s poem Fêtes de l’eau: “The river god smiles, tickled by the water…,” and in this piece Ravel depicts the colors and sonorities of water as they shift with the play of light.
The steady motion of eighth notes and the principles of sonata form evoke the regulated rhythm and formal structure of a fountain that governs the water’s play, while harmonies that diverge from strict tonal progression brilliantly capture the protean colors and sounds of water.
From Eight Concert Etudes: 3. ToccatinaNikolai Kapustin
Kapustin, a Ukrainian composer active in the 20th century.
His Eight Concert Etudes were designed as a cohesive set, with considerations such as the arrangement of keys, and each piece was given a Russian title.
“Toccatina” means a small toccata—essentially an improvisatory piece—and it’s crisp and rhythmically incisive.
Incorporating elements uncommon in traditional classical music—such as jazz idioms like swing and boogie-woogie, as well as rock and Latin rhythms—it’s a stylish piece that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish!