RAG MusicClassic
Lovely classics

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.

Classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.

The Flight of the BumblebeeRimsky-Korsakov-Cziffra

Rimsky-Korsakov-Cziffra – Flight of the Bumblebee (audio + sheet music)
The Flight of the BumblebeeRimsky-Korsakov-Cziffra

Classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music (41–50)

String Quartet No. 2, Movement 1Alexander Borodin

Borodin: Quartet No. 2 in D major for Strings, I. Allegro moderato
String Quartet No. 2, Movement 1Alexander Borodin

Known as a masterpiece brimming with lyrical beauty, this string quartet captivates with its sweet, lovestruck melodies and delicate fragility.

Highlights include the theme that begins in the cello and passes to the first violin, as well as the lively interplay among the instruments.

It is also a highly rewarding piece for performers.

Begun in July 1881 and completed by September—a remarkably swift pace—the work overflows with a warm resonance filled with love.

It is an ideal choice for those who wish to savor beautiful melodies and rich expressiveness.

Pavane for a Newborn PrincessCharles-Henry

Charles-Henri / Pavane for a Newborn Princess
Pavane for a Newborn PrincessCharles-Henry

Characterized by an elegant and serene melody, this piece is filled with joy and hope celebrating the birth of new life.

Despite its brief duration of about 1 minute and 25 seconds, it demands delicate touch and expressive nuance.

The key to performance lies in conveying the work’s grace and joy through subtle changes in phrasing and dynamics.

Often featured in piano education settings, it is recommended for those wishing to cultivate expressiveness or seeking an encore piece for a recital.

In May 2023, a concert including this piece was held at the Paris Conservatoire, captivating the audience.

Suite bergamasque, No. 3: Clair de LuneClaude Debussy

High-Quality Audio [Clair de lune — Debussy] Debussy — Clair de Lune / CANACANA
Suite bergamasque, No. 3: Clair de LuneClaude Debussy

The third piece from Claude Debussy’s Suite bergamasque, Clair de Lune, is considered his most famous work.

It is frequently featured in concerts and used as background music in visual media.

This exquisitely beautiful piano piece evokes a dreamlike scene where the moon’s gentle light emerges in the night sky.

In terms of tempo and note density, it isn’t particularly difficult, but conveying the piece’s unique atmosphere is a formidable challenge.

You could even say that real practice begins only after you’ve finished reading the score.

Be sure to focus on the beauty of the sound and the calm, flowing lines as you practice.

Symphony No. 5 “Revolution,” Fourth MovementDmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich

A masterpiece that combines power and grandeur, this work dynamically conveys the appeal of Dmitri Shostakovich’s symphony.

The orchestra’s commanding performance instantly elevates the atmosphere of a gymnasium, creating excitement befitting a tense competition.

At its premiere in Leningrad in November 1937, Yevgeny Mravinsky and the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra achieved great success with their performance.

Featuring march-like phrases and a forceful rhythm, this piece is an ideal BGM to lift the spirits of all participants and lead them onto a grand stage.

Used for the main events of a sports day or for entrances and exits, it will foster a strong sense of unity throughout the venue.

Hymn No. 320: “Nearer, My God, to Thee”Eliza Flower)

André Rieu – Nearer, My God, to Thee (live in Amsterdam)
Hymn No. 320: “Nearer, My God, to Thee”Eliza Flower)

The hymn based on Jacob’s dream is a work themed around the desire to draw closer to God.

Set to a beautiful melody by Eliza Flower, it has continued to move listeners deeply.

Its lyrics convey the meaning of approaching God even through hardship, and it is also known from the Titanic episode.

In Japan, it has been used in the final episode of A Dog of Flanders and at funerals, and is cherished as a song of parting tinged with poignancy.

This piece is recommended for those facing life’s trials and for anyone seeking a hymn that resonates with the heart.

Since its publication in 1841, it has become a classic sung around the world.

Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D 960 — Movement III: Allegro vivace con delicatezzaFranz Schubert

A masterpiece whose jewel-like melodies set the heart free.

Completed in September 1828, this work is especially captivating in its third movement, where a light touch is paired with delicate structural nuance.

An eight-bar theme is developed with finesse, and through successive modulations the music moves from a bright B-flat major to its parallel key, B-flat minor, leaving a striking impression of richly colored emotion.

The shading of the melody—born of its distinctive rhythmic pulse and harmonic progressions—deeply moves the listener.

Throughout, Franz Schubert’s inventive modulation techniques and masterful handling of rhythm shine.

This piece is highly recommended for those seeking the deeper flavors of classical music, and for anyone captivated by the structural beauty of piano repertoire.