Piano × Dark Pieces: Classic Masterworks to Sink Deep into Sorrow
When you’re feeling unwell emotionally, don’t you sometimes prefer to sink into sadness for a while rather than forcing yourself to be positive? Spending time in a sentimental mood can help you naturally process the painful events inside yourself and eventually feel ready to move forward.
This time, I’d like to introduce some darkly shaded piano pieces from among recommended classical works that are perfect for those moments when you want to fully immerse yourself in sorrow.
They aren’t merely dark—each is a masterpiece that lets you savor the piano’s delicacy and beauty—so by the time you finish listening, your heart will likely feel a little lighter.
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[Piano × Dark Pieces] Classic Masterpieces to Drown in Sorrow (21–30)
From the suite Harpsichord Suite Set II: Sarabande and Variations, HWV 437 in D minorGeorg Friedrich Händel
George Frideric Handel, a great composer who epitomizes Baroque music, was also highly acclaimed as an organist, and many of his works carry a dark character.
Among them, a particular recommendation is the Sarabande and Variations in D minor, HWV 437, from the Suites de Pièces pour le Clavecin, Second Set.
Though it is not a showpiece for virtuosity, it is by no means lacking in performance impact, offering a refined sense of immersion.
Highly recommended for those seeking piano works suffused with a melancholy darkness.
24 Preludes No. 4, Op. 28-4Frederic Chopin
I think many people feel like listening to music that evokes a sense of despair precisely when they’re feeling down.
Among such pieces, this masterpiece by the great composer Frédéric Chopin, Prelude No.
4 from 24 Preludes, Op.
28-4, is especially recommended.
While its simplified melody means it isn’t rated highly from a technical standpoint, its performance impact is tremendous: as mentioned at the outset, it unfolds a tragic, brooding, and dark melody that evokes despair.
Waltz No. 7, Op. 64-2Frederic Chopin
Frédéric Chopin, the great Polish composer renowned for his beautiful melodies.
When it comes to Chopin’s works, many people might think of bright pieces like the “Minute Waltz.” However, he actually produced many darker works as well, and that side of his style is also highly acclaimed.
Among them, one I especially recommend is the “Waltz No.
7 in C-sharp minor, Op.
64 No.
2.” It’s a refined piece that conveys a sense of darkness within the quintessentially Chopinesque beautiful sonority.
Fantasiestücke, Op. 3 No. 1: ElegySergei Rachmaninov
Sergei Rachmaninoff, a genius pianist and composer, brought many masterpieces into the world.
His melodies, imbued with a sense of pathos, are especially acclaimed.
Among Rachmaninoff’s works, one particularly known for bringing listeners to tears is Elegy, No.
1 from Morceaux de fantaisie, Op.
3.
Composed in his youth, it is characterized by emotionally charged melodies suffused with melancholy.
Because the piece can sound quite different depending on the performer, be sure to compare interpretations by various pianists.
Sentimental WaltzPyotr Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Tchaikovsky, the great Russian composer who produced numerous masterpieces—ballet music, concertos, symphonies, and even chamber works and operas.
Among them, I would like to introduce his Valse Sentimentale.
This is a short piece, known as one of the darker and heavier melodies in Tchaikovsky’s oeuvre.
Its profound timbre is highly striking, so if you’re in the mood to fully indulge in sentiment, be sure to give it a listen.
Sorrow of LoveKreisler=Rachmaninov
Sergei Rachmaninoff, the greatest Russian composer of the 20th century, arranged Fritz Kreisler’s piece of the same title, Liebesleid (Love’s Sorrow)—originally by the Austrian composer-violinist who was Rachmaninoff’s contemporary—into a solo piano version.
In Japan, it drew attention when it was featured as an insert piece in the 2016 live-action film adaptation of the manga Your Lie in April.
While the piece is imbued with sorrow, it also exudes a certain brilliance that suggests hope and longing, creating a captivating, enigmatic atmosphere that makes it an exceptionally attractive work.
12 Etudes, Op. 8, No. 12 “Pathétique”Aleksandr Skryabin
Alexander Scriabin, a Russian pianist and composer, is said to have written his Twelve Etudes, Op.
8, with an awareness of Frédéric Chopin’s etudes.
The twelfth and final piece, “Pathetique,” demands highly advanced technique, featuring wide-ranging broken chords, a fiercely struck right-hand octave melody, and relentless chord repetitions in both hands.
There are many famous classical works titled “Pathetique,” but this music conveys a comparable sense of uncontainable anger and profound sorrow.