Cool classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
A showcase of awesome classical masterpieces, all in one place!
From super-cool staples to slightly lesser-known, stylish pieces, we’ve picked a wide range.
We’re featuring not only piano solo works from the classics to more recent pieces, but also orchestral masterpieces performed by large ensembles.
We’ve selected classical works that are thrilling to listen to and make performances look cool too—from film-score-like pieces and RPG battle-scene vibes to avant-garde sounds reminiscent of progressive rock!
Be sure to read to the end!
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Cool classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music (41–50)
Etude Op. 10 No. 1 in C majorFrederic Chopin
An etude completed in 1830 by Chopin, the poet of the piano.
It is said to be one of the most difficult pieces to perform among Chopin’s études, and it places tremendous pressure on the pianist.
The Ashkenazy performance introduced here is by a pianist renowned for his virtuosity.
It has an incredible sense of speed, and the dramatic contrasts in tone are overwhelming.
Cool classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music (51–60)
Rakoczi March from the dramatic tale The Damnation of FaustHector Berlioz
The Rakoczi March is originally a Hungarian folk song with an unknown composer.
It became famous when Berlioz used it in his own work, The Damnation of Faust.
The Damnation of Faust is based on Faust by the German writer Goethe.
The piece is also used as a Hungarian military march.
El Camino RealAlfred Reed
This Latin fantasy by Alfred Reed, who made tremendous contributions to the American wind band world, overflows with Spanish passion.
A bold work in which Reed sought to reconstruct “true Spanish music” using the melodies and harmonies of traditional dance, it is extremely well-known as a free-choice piece in wind band competitions.
From the jota section that opens with lively rhythms marked by castanets, the piece moves to an original and beautiful middle section in the style of a fandango employing changing meters, then surges back to a climactic finish—an absolutely stunning progression.
Premiered in April 1985, this work captivates performers and audiences alike with its dramatic flair.
It’s a superb choice when you want to add brilliance to a concert program and ignite the hall with excitement.
Piano Sonata in D minorFranz Liszt
Franz Liszt left an enormous number of works for the piano and gained renown as an outstanding pianist himself.
This piece is composed by applying his method of compressing the three movements he used in his symphonic poems into a single movement.
It employs the technique of “thematic transformation,” in which elements of a theme are transformed in various ways to generate new themes.
The principal theme introduced at the beginning reappears throughout the piece in many different guises, shaping the overall structure.
Enjoy listening as the theme evolves!
“Jupiter” from the suite “The Planets”Gustav Holst
The suite The Planets is a representative orchestral work composed by the British composer Gustav Holst.
The suite consists of seven movements, each named after a planet based on Western astrology.
The mysterious and majestic melody of “Jupiter” is loved by many people around the world, and numerous musicians and artists have added various lyrics and arrangements to it.
In the United Kingdom, it is also sung as a patriotic song and hymn.
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.
Toccatina from Eight Concert EtudesNikolai Kapustin
It’s a very difficult question whether Kapustin should really be classified as classical music, but this piece has that signature Kapustin drive—jazzy and cool.
The sharp melodies rush straight through without a moment to catch your breath, making for an exhilarating listen.