Classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.

dreamClaude Debussy

Debussy 'Reverie' Haneda Kentaro

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

Ravel: Suite “Miroirs”: A Boat on the Ocean

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

E. Coates: Quiet Lagoon [Naxos Classical Curation #Romantic] / Eric Coates: By the Sleepy Lagoon

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

Handel Water Music Hornpipe

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

Handel: Water Music Suite No. 2 – II. Alla Hornpipe [Naxos Classical Curations #Gorgeous]

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.

Summer MorningHeino Kasuki

Summer Morning (composed by Kaski) Pianist: Kanako Ishihara — Sommermorgen (Kaski) / Kanako Ishihara -Purenist-

This is a piano piece by the Finnish composer Heino Kaski, known as Op.

35-1 “Summer Morning.” The work features a beautifully transparent melody that seems to capture the pure air of a Nordic morning in sound.

Its delicate trills evoke the sparkle of sunlight filtering through leaves, and the gentle yet gradually broadening brightness will refresh the listener’s heart.

It has a cool, invigorating quality that makes you forget muggy heat, and it’s perfect for quietly enjoying music.

Believed to have been composed in the early 1920s, it is also included in pianist Izumi Tateno’s acclaimed album “Piano Works.”

At the seaside at nightHeino Kasuki

Kaski: By the Seaside at Night, Op. 34-1

How about a short piano piece that seems to turn the shimmering specks of light along a Nordic night shore into sound? This Finnish work lets the piano’s high register ring with clarity, making you feel as if you’re gazing at twinkling stars in the night sky.

Its allure stands out in the recording left by pianist Izumi Tateno in April 1999, where the delicate tones seep deep into the heart.

The piece’s gentle, dreamlike melody—its hallmark—will help you forget the swelter of summer.

Recommended for those who wish to spend a cool, tranquil moment, listening to beautiful piano sonorities in the stillness.