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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Classic masterpieces. Recommended classical music (31–40)
In the ForestAlbert Ketèlbey
How about a piano piece that conjures up a tranquil forest scene with shafts of sunlight filtering through the trees? This work by Albert Ketèlbey brings a sense of calm, as if you’re taking a deep breath in the woods.
The piano’s gentle melody seems to depict the whisper of the trees and the chirping of little birds.
Included in the piano collection “A Dream Picture,” it is sometimes described as “cute” for its charm.
Rosemary Tuck’s 1993 recording is also deeply moving.
In just three to four minutes, it distills the breath of nature.
It’s perfect for forgetting the heat, spending a quiet moment, or accompanying your reading.
Listen to this piece, and you’ll surely feel at peace.
Seaside at Dusk, H.128: No. 3 “The Stormy Seashore”Bohuslav Martinů
This piece depicts waves breaking on a seaside at dusk and the sweep of a blustery wind through deft piano arpeggios.
Composed by Bohuslav Martinů in 1921, it is a short work for solo piano included on the album “Evening on the Sea-shore, H.128 and 3 other pieces.” Within its richly resonant, impressionistic colors, a classical framework—the rondo form—breathes, creating a striking dialogue between nature painting and structural elegance.
Its dynamic development evokes the subtitle “Storm,” and the design, which regains calm after a virtuosic cadenza, leaves a strong impression.
It is a gem for anyone who, in a summertime moment, wishes to immerse themselves in piano music that is both dramatic and refreshingly cool.
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.
The Carnival of the Animals, No. 14: FinaleCamille Saint-Saëns
A dazzling, exhilarating piece that feels like the grand finale of a festival—that’s the closing movement of Camille Saint-Saëns’s suite The Carnival of the Animals.
Composed in 1886 for a private performance and first made public only after the composer’s death in 1922, the work builds from the piano’s brilliant opening trills as various instruments join in, with motifs of animals from earlier movements appearing one after another—truly the climax of the celebration.
The humorous tone pervades the whole piece, and the ending, capped with playful animal imitations, adds to its delightful charm.
It is also known for its use in Disney’s 1999 film Fantasia 2000, and it’s the kind of music that can sweep away the summer heat and leave you feeling refreshed.
Even those who don’t often listen to classical music are sure to discover its joy.
Symphonic Poem “La Mer”: Three Symphonic Sketches — III. Dialogue of the Wind and the SeaClaude Debussy
This is the climactic movement from Claude Debussy’s orchestral masterpiece La Mer, a work that brilliantly renders the ocean’s grandeur and mystery in sound.
In this piece, a powerful yet beautiful natural drama unfolds as if the wind and sea are conversing.
The surging strings, the piercing timbres of the woodwinds, and the brass and percussion in unison create a vividly compelling sonic tableau.
Premiered in October 1905, the work carries a refreshing coolness that seems to make one forget the summer heat.
It is recommended for those who wish to immerse themselves in the orchestra’s rich palette of colors, as well as for listeners who want to experience the grandeur of classical music through wind band arrangements and other adaptations.
dreamClaude Debussy
What we introduce here is a beautiful piano miniature by Claude Debussy from 1890, as if drifting through a dream.
It is characterized by a gently sweet melody and arpeggios that weave a fantastical atmosphere, inviting the listener into a pleasant doze.
Close your eyes quietly, and you can almost see a cool, serene scene—like dozing in the shade on a summer day.
The piece was later given lyrics by Larry Clinton and became a hit in 1938 as “My Reverie,” sung by artists including Bing Crosby.
It’s highly recommended for those seeking a musical experience that makes you forget the summer heat, or for times when you want to soak in a calm mood—you’re sure to have a lovely time listening.
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.
Quiet lagoonEric Coates
How about a waltz-serenade that makes you want to listen on a leisurely summer evening? Composed by Eric Coates in 1930, this piece is said to have been inspired by the gentle seaside scenery of Sussex and townscapes dyed by the sunset.
The violin’s sweet melody will resonate pleasantly, like a gentle breeze drifting over a calm, twilight sea.
Lyrics were added in 1940, and it became a beloved standard for many.
It has long been familiar as the theme of a popular, long-running BBC radio program, and may evoke a certain nostalgia.
It’s the perfect piece for those moments when you want to forget the bustle of everyday life and sink into a tranquil mood.
Put it on, and spend some unhurried time while you listen.
Water Music: HornpipeGeorg Friedrich Händel
There is an orchestral suite by George Frideric Handel written to adorn a royal river outing, and one of its pieces combines a refreshing coolness with festive brilliance that suits summer perfectly.
At its premiere on the Thames in July 1717, it captivated audiences so much that King George I reportedly ordered multiple encores.
With trumpets and horns in lively motion, it lifts listeners into a bright, celebratory mood.
It’s also known for coloring a scene in the film Dead Poets Society.
For those seeking a brisk, invigorating moment on muggy days, or anyone who wants to enjoy the majestic yet light charm of Baroque music with ease, this piece is just the thing.
Water Music, Suite No. 2 – II. Alla HornpipeGeorg Friedrich Händel
When you think of music drifting over the surface of a river, you might imagine a gentle melody; however, the section from George Frideric Handel’s Water Music is brimming with brilliance that invites listeners into a festive mood.
The piece was first performed on the River Thames in July 1717, and there is an anecdote that the king was so delighted he called for multiple encores.
With trumpets and horns resounding boldly and a buoyant, spirited character that lifts the heart, it perfectly enhances the open feeling of summer.
It is also familiar from children’s programs such as Little Einsteins, making it enjoyable across generations.
For those seeking a refreshing moment that makes you forget the muggy heat, this is a work well worth lending your ears to.