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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Classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music (51–60)
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 “Choral,” from the 4th movement: “Ode to Joy”Ludwig van Beethoven
An immortal masterpiece woven by a grand orchestra and chorus.
Ludwig van Beethoven completed it over the course of about nine years while battling his lost hearing.
At its premiere in May 1824, the audience erupted in thunderous applause, but the already deaf Beethoven did not notice until a singer turned him around—an episode that has been passed down as deeply moving.
In Japan, this work is also known for being performed nationwide at the end of the year.
It is a piece that resonates with the heart, one that sends off life’s farewells not only with sorrow, but with gratitude for the path traveled and with hope.
String Quartet No. 1, Second Movement: Andante cantabilePyotr Tchaikovsky
This is a gem of a masterpiece inspired by a Ukrainian folk song.
The serene melody born from the harmony of the strings evokes deep emotion in the listener.
Its beautiful tune, which gently enfolds the feelings of a young person in love, delicately portrays the subtleties of human emotion.
There is an anecdote that even Russia’s great literary giant Tolstoy was moved to tears by this work.
masterfully expressing both the anxieties and hopes of love, it is a piece that offers solace to those troubled by romance.
The moving performance at a special concert in December 1876 was recorded by the composer in his diary as a lifelong source of pride.
Symphony No. 2, Movement IIISergei Rachmaninov
A moving melody woven from beauty and melancholy seeps into the heart.
Beginning with a clarinet solo and expanding to the full orchestra, the sonic world shakes the listener’s soul.
Its lyrical line, which evokes nostalgia and distant memories, feels as if it were singing of a beloved person.
It is also featured in the film “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” known as a classic that colors romantic scenes.
Recommended for those who wish to heal the pain of heartbreak or to bask in memories with someone dear.
Premiered in January 1908 to great success, it is also famous as a work that symbolizes the composer’s rebirth.
Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral from the opera LohengrinWilhelm Wagner
This piece, with its majestic and sacred atmosphere, unfolds at a leisurely tempo and is distinguished by its rich orchestration.
The harmony between brass and strings is beautiful, leaving listeners deeply moved.
Premiered in August 1850, the work depicts a scene from an opera, superbly conveying the protagonist’s purity and the solemnity of the ritual.
It is often used as background music for weddings and religious ceremonies and is beloved by many.
It is recommended not only for those interested in classical music but also for anyone seeking a beautiful melody that resonates with the heart.
Ave verum corpusWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Hailed as a “miraculous masterpiece” in the world of classical music, this work’s profound piety and serene beauty resonate deeply with listeners.
Though it spans only 46 measures, the power of prayer contained within is immeasurable.
Beginning in D major and modulating deftly through A major, F major, and D minor, its technique attests to the composer’s extraordinary skill.
At its premiere on June 23, 1791, in a small church on the outskirts of Vienna, many in the audience were moved to tears by its beauty.
This piece is recommended not only for those interested in sacred music, but also for anyone who wishes to engage with music in quiet contemplation.
Nocturne No. 2Frederic Chopin
This piano piece features a gently flowing, beautiful melody and delicate ornaments that seep into the heart along with the stillness of the night.
Composed by Chopin in 1831, it masterfully captures dreamlike, fantastical scenes and inner emotions.
The world woven by the elegant right-hand melody and the harmoniously balanced left-hand accompaniment evokes the beauty of an Italian opera’s singing voice.
It has also been widely used in media—for example, it was arranged as the theme song “To Love Again” in the 1956 American film The Eddy Duchin Story, and it appears in the anime ClassicaLoid.
It’s a perfect piece for quiet concentration or calming the mind, making it an ideal, soothing classic to accompany studying or reading.
Waltz of the FlowersPyotr Tchaikovsky
The pleasant melody woven by the graceful waltz rhythm evokes a sense of unhurried time.
Its triple meter and the delicate harmonies of strings and woodwinds create an exquisite balance that boosts concentration without causing stress.
Premiered in Saint Petersburg in December 1892, the piece has been featured widely in various media since its use in Disney’s Fantasia and is well loved as a calming work.
It’s recommended for times when you want to focus in a quiet setting—studying, reading, or desk work.
Why not spend an intellectually enriching, relaxing time with this piece that showcases Tchaikovsky’s masterful compositional technique?
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3J.S.Bach
This is a signature work by Bach, one of the foremost musicians of 18th-century Germany, notable for its brilliant string timbres and rich expressiveness.
The joyous melodies woven by three groups of strings are perfect for a refreshing study break.
Its intricate counterpoint and lush harmonies are pleasing to the ear and help enhance concentration.
Presented in March 1721 to the Margrave of Brandenburg, this piece—scored solely for strings—conveys a noble, almost celestial quality.
Recommended as a quiet companion for long hours of study or reading, when you want to calm and center the mind.
Classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music (61–70)
Water MusicHenderu
A work in which majestic and resplendent orchestral melodies resound with beauty.
Composed by Handel for a boating party on the River Thames in July 1717, this piece musically depicts the gentle flow of the river.
The rich sonorities woven by a variety of instruments—such as horns, oboes, and strings—create an elegant, soothing atmosphere, like light shimmering on the water’s surface.
Even today, its universal appeal is evident in its use as the theme music for NHK-FM’s “Enjoying Early Music” and as the departure melody at Kyoto Station.
It is a recommended piece for tasks or study that require concentration, or whenever you wish to quietly calm your mind.
La CampanellaFranz Liszt
The delicate melody, modeled after the sound of bells, is striking, with beautiful leaps and ornaments in the high register resonating throughout.
The piano piece, revised in 1851, is characterized by passionate expressiveness that embodies the essence of Romantic music and by virtuosic performance demands.
Inspired by Niccolò Paganini’s playing in 1831, Franz Liszt arranged the theme of a violin concerto for piano.
Frequently used as background music in films and television shows, it has captivated many listeners.
This work is recommended for those who want to study in a quiet environment with focus.
Its bell-like, transparent timbre will calm the mind while maintaining a moderate sense of tension.