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[Classical Piano Masterpieces] A carefully selected collection of moving pieces that will bring you to tears

Have you ever had a musical experience where a beautiful melody or harmony moved you to your core?

In this article, we introduce classic piano masterpieces that can bring tears to your eyes just by listening—and that become even more moving when you play them yourself.

Naturally, works written for the piano do not have lyrics.

However, the composers’ thoughts and wishes are undoubtedly embedded in each note.

By learning about the background of the pieces and the lives of the composers, your performance will gain greater depth.

When you take on these pieces, be sure to deepen your understanding of the composers and the works—including the anecdotes shared in each piece’s commentary here—before you begin practicing.

Playlist

[Classical Piano Masterpieces] A carefully selected collection of moving pieces that will bring you to tears
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastImpromptu No. 3, Op. 90-3Franz Schubert
Impromptu No. 3, Op. 90-3Franz Schubertplay_arrow
Franz Schubert’s masterpiece “Impromptu No.…”
2eastSuite bergamasque, No. 3: Clair de LuneClaude Debussy
Suite bergamasque, No. 3: Clair de LuneClaude Debussyplay_arrow
Among Claude Debussy’s works, the ones that are most familiar…
3eastFrom the symphonic poem cycle My Fatherland, No. 2: The MoldauBedřich Smetana
From the symphonic poem cycle My Fatherland, No. 2: The MoldauBedřich Smetanaplay_arrow
The Czech great, also known as a genius pianist, ...
4eastRhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, Variation 18: Andante cantabileSergei Rachmaninov
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, Variation 18: Andante cantabileSergei Rachmaninovplay_arrow
Introducing Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
5eastSong cycle “Three Melodies,” Op. 7: No. 1, “Après un rêve”Gabriel Fauré
Song cycle “Three Melodies,” Op. 7: No. 1, “Après un rêve”Gabriel Fauréplay_arrow
A great French master known for fantastical works…
6eastNocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor, Op. posth.Frederic Chopin
Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor, Op. posth.Frederic Chopinplay_arrow
Frederic Ch…, a composer representing the Romantic era,
7eastPavane for a Dead QueenMaurice Ravel
Pavane for a Dead QueenMaurice Ravelplay_arrow
When asked about masterpieces of piano works, many people...
8eastLiebesträume No. 3Franz Liszt
Liebesträume No. 3Franz Lisztplay_arrow
Franz Liszt, a composer who represents the Romantic era…
9eastVocalise, Op. 34 No. 14Sergei Rachmaninov
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14Sergei Rachmaninovplay_arrow
Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece “Vocalise” is a must-listen.
10eastPiano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique,” II. movementLudwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique,” II. movementLudwig van Beethovenplay_arrow
Beethoven’s masterpiece piano sonata “Pathétique”
11eastreverieClaude Debussy
reverieClaude Debussyplay_arrow
Free harmony that is not bound by functional harmony…
12eastFantasy Pieces, Op. 3 No. 2: Prelude “The Bell”Sergei Rachmaninov
Fantasy Pieces, Op. 3 No. 2: Prelude “The Bell”Sergei Rachmaninovplay_arrow
Figure skater Mao Asada turned 20…
13east“The Four Seasons” – 12 Character Pieces, Op. 37a: October, “Autumn Song”Pyotr Tchaikovsky
"The Four Seasons" – 12 Character Pieces, Op. 37a: October, "Autumn Song"Pyotr Tchaikovskyplay_arrow
Introduction to Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons: Autumn Song
14eastFantasiestücke, Op. 3 No. 1: ElegySergei Rachmaninov
Fantasiestücke, Op. 3 No. 1: ElegySergei Rachmaninovplay_arrow
As a genius pianist and composer, he produced many masterpieces...
15eastSorrow of LoveKreisler=Rachmaninov
Sorrow of LoveKreisler=Rachmaninovplay_arrow
Fritz Kreisler’s masterpiece “Liebesleid” (Love’s Sorrow)…
16eastLa CampanellaFranz Liszt
La CampanellaFranz Lisztplay_arrow
A piano piece arranged by Liszt, with striking bell sounds
17eastNocturne No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Frederic Chopin
Nocturne No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Frederic Chopinplay_arrow
Chopin's beautiful nocturnes, soothing to the soul
18eastMelody Op. 4-2Fanny Mendelssohn
Melody Op. 4-2Fanny Mendelssohnplay_arrow
An emotionally rich, delicate miniature by Fanny
19eastSonatine in F-sharp minor, M. 40: II. MenuetMaurice Ravel
Sonatine in F-sharp minor, M. 40: II. MenuetMaurice Ravelplay_arrow
The beauty of Ravel’s piano piece “Sonatine”
20eastThree Romances, Op. 11 No. 1Clara Schumann
Three Romances, Op. 11 No. 1Clara Schumannplay_arrow
An emotional piano piece imbued with hidden feelings for Clara
21eastSerenade from SchwanengesangFranz Schubert
Serenade from SchwanengesangFranz Schubertplay_arrow
The melancholy and beauty of Schubert's lieder
22eastSix Pieces: “Nocturnes”Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Six Pieces: “Nocturnes”Pyotr Tchaikovskyplay_arrow
A sentimental masterpiece that depicts the stillness of the night
23eastDaylight saving timeGeorge Gershwin
Daylight saving timeGeorge Gershwinplay_arrow
A Lullaby to Soothe Gershwin's Heart
24eastAt the seaside at nightHeino Kasuki
At the seaside at nightHeino Kasukiplay_arrow
A cool piano piece that makes you forget the summer heat
25eastNocturne No. 19 in E minor, Op. 72 No. 1, “Posthumous”Frederic Chopin
Nocturne No. 19 in E minor, Op. 72 No. 1, “Posthumous”Frederic Chopin
Chopin’s emotionally rich Nocturnes
26eastSongs Without Words, Book V, Op. 62 No. 5, No. 3: “Venetian Boat Song”Felix Mendelssohn
Songs Without Words, Book V, Op. 62 No. 5, No. 3: "Venetian Boat Song"Felix Mendelssohnplay_arrow
Mendelssohn’s moving canal miniature
27eastdreamClaude Debussy
dreamClaude Debussyplay_arrow
The serene beauty of fantastical Impressionist music
28eastSummer MorningHeino Kasuki
Summer MorningHeino Kasukiplay_arrow
A refreshing piano piece for a summer morning