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 (71–80)
Dance of the Seven VeilsRichard Georg Strauss
Salome, a reinterpretation of Oscar Wilde’s play as an opera, includes the Dance of the Seven Veils, which in the New Testament appears as the dance associated with John the Baptist.
Strauss approached this not as a biblical scholar, but as a Romantic artist, expressing it with an uninhibited stance that defies the rigid values of Scripture.
As in Romantic literature and painting, the piece is characterized by a bold and somewhat macabre style.
Its striking introduction with timpani and cymbals, as well as the sharply articulated contrasts in dynamics that are clear even at low volume, foreshadow the impending upheaval of the avant-garde—an aspect that would later resonate with Schoenberg.
Piano Sonata No. 6 “War Sonata,” Fourth MovementSergei Prokofiev
This work was composed after Prokofiev, who had been living in the United States and Paris, returned to the Soviet Union, during what can be considered the mature period of his creative activity.
Because it was written during World War II, it is known as a “War Sonata.” It is a commanding piece that simultaneously demands advanced technique from the performer and brilliantly combines dynamic power that leaves a strong impression with beautiful lyricism.
‘Toreador Song’ from Carmen Suite No. 2Georges Bizet
Here is the piece used in Act 2 of the French-language opera Carmen, composed by Georges Bizet.
Because Carmen is an opera centered on a Gypsy woman, Carmen, many of its numbers are written with an awareness of Romani folk music.
This particular piece is the song of the toreador with whom Carmen falls in love.
Since it includes a melody that has been used in commercials as a parody song, it is likely one of those famous tunes known even to people who don’t usually listen to classical music.
Fantaisie-ImpromptuFrederic Chopin
Of Chopin’s four impromptus—he being a quintessential Romantic composer—the first one he composed is the most famous, the “Fantasie-Impromptu.” Many people can recognize the piece the instant that opening octave sounds.
Because the left hand divides each beat into six parts while the right hand divides it into eight, it can be difficult at first to get the feel for coordinating both hands.
However, with repeated practice you’ll naturally learn to align the beats.
Keep at it patiently!
March for the Turkish Ceremony from the ballet music The Bourgeois GentlemanLully
A masterpiece that showcases the brilliance of Jean-Baptiste Lully, a master of 17th-century French court music.
Born in Italy in 1632, Lully later moved to France, became a naturalized citizen, and rose to prominence as a favorite of Louis XIV.
This work is part of Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, composed in 1670, and it superbly fuses the splendor of Baroque music with the vogue for “Turquerie.” The music, which accompanies the comic tale of a townsman striving to become a nobleman, deftly captures both the social satire of the time and the refined entertainment of the court.
It’s a recommended piece for those interested in Baroque music and history, and for anyone who wants to experience 17th-century court culture through music.
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.
The Splendid DanceClaude Thomas Smith
This is a vibrant piece that overflows with energy, as if a dazzling ball were unfolding before your eyes with people dancing briskly! It’s a work by American composer Claude T.
Smith, known for many masterpieces for wind band.
Commissioned by the United States Air Force Band, the piece features a virtuosic and grand structure spanning about nine minutes.
True to its theme of a “Folâtre” (cheerful, playful) dance, its glittering and thrilling sound captivates listeners and doesn’t let go.
Brilliant solos sprinkled across the instruments provide showcase moments that draw out each performer’s full potential.
Perfect for a main concert program or as a challenging work to demonstrate your band’s prowess! It’s sure to become an unforgettable piece that leaves a powerful impact on any audience.
Prelude, Op. 28 No. 16Frederic Chopin
Chopin’s 24 Preludes are said to have been greatly influenced by Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier.
As with Bach, the 24 preludes are written using all twenty-four keys of the well-tempered system.
Each piece is extremely concise, yet within that brevity a stream of beautiful musical ideas flows continuously and pours directly into the listener’s heart.
After six abruptly striking sforzando chords, a torrent of sixteenth notes races by with tremendous force; for just over a minute, the music sprints at full tilt—fierce yet irresistibly stylish.
Bacchanale from the opera Samson and DelilahCamille Saint-Saëns
The exotic, evocative melody at the beginning instantly draws you into the world of the piece.
Once you’re captivated, the music barrels forward nonstop, overwhelming you with its momentum.
There’s also a wind band arrangement, and it’s a piece that’s frequently performed at wind ensemble concerts.
Rhapsodies, No. 2Johannes Brahms
While it unfolds delicate, beautiful melodies characteristic of Brahms, it is a fiercely passionate piano piece.
Even as it takes on dramatic developments, it maintains an unbroken sense of continuity—truly masterful.
The piece was dedicated to Heinrich, formerly Brahms’s piano pupil, and his bride.