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 (51–60)
Prelude Op. 23 No. 5 in G minorSergei Rachmaninov
Rachmaninoff, a Russian pianist and composer who represents the 20th century.
His works are characterized by simple yet beautiful and valiant melodies, leaving a powerful impression as if raw emotion is being expressed through music.
Among his 24 preludes, this piece is one of the most well-known.
From the outset, the bold yet freely played, march-like rhythm is striking, and the romantic melody heard in the middle section possesses a beauty uniquely Rachmaninoff’s.
It is a captivating piece brimming with the rich, folkloric sentiment of Russia!
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.
Heroic PolonaiseFrederic Chopin
One of Chopin’s most iconic pieces representing the Romantic era, the “Heroic Polonaise,” is likely a work everyone has heard at least once.
From beginning to end, its magnificent development overwhelms the listener.
It’s a piece that every pianist dreams of playing at least once.
Although the “Heroic Polonaise” is very challenging and technically demanding, mastering it will surely make it a piece to be proud of.
Candide OvertureLeonard Bernstein
This is a masterpiece by Leonard Bernstein, one of the most iconic musicians of the 20th century.
Showcasing his multifaceted talent to the fullest, the work was composed as an operetta overture yet has been highly acclaimed as a standalone piece.
Since its premiere at Carnegie Hall in January 1957, it has enjoyed great popularity, having been performed over 200 times.
Its dazzling, vibrant rhythms and intricately woven melodies captivate listeners.
Reflecting a story laced with irony and satire while conveying profound humanity, this piece distills Bernstein’s musical genius.
It is recommended not only for fans of classical music but also for those who love film scores and musicals.
Cool classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music (61–70)
From Carmina Burana: “O Fortuna”Carl Orff
This piece begins with a powerful and striking melody that calls upon the goddess of fate.
Since it’s used in films, commercials, and many other contexts, you’ve likely heard it at least once.
Carmina Burana is a collection of medieval songs and poems discovered in the 19th century at the Benediktbeuern Abbey in Germany; the German composer Orff selected 24 of them and set them as a cantata.
The work is sung in Latin and addresses Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fate—also famous as a motif in tarot cards.
Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos “Tarantella”Sergei Rachmaninov
It’s a cool yet passionate piece that combines strength and richness while constantly shimmering with Rachmaninoff’s signature sparkle.
You’ll be captivated from the very beginning.
After the failed premiere of his Symphony No.
1, Rachmaninoff fell into a slump and went through a period where he couldn’t compose.
This piece dates from the time when he was beginning to recover.
‘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.
