[2026] Masterpieces of instrumental music. Recommended instrumental tracks.
The genre of music without vocals—so-called “instrumentals,” also known in Japan by the abbreviation “inst”—covers a wide range of pieces, from film soundtracks and classical music to 15-second commercial jingles.
In this article, we’ve curated a broad selection of recommended instrumental masterpieces, from world-famous soundtrack tunes to fiery guitar instrumentals and soothing lounge music.
We hope it sparks a new realization—“Songs without lyrics might actually be great!”
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[2026] Classic instrumental masterpieces. Recommended instrumental tracks (131–140)
DUSKNabowa
NABOWA is an instrumental band based in Kyoto.
Their improvisational live performances, which incorporate musical elements from a variety of genres, have become a hot topic and earned them popularity.
While their sound has a mature feel, you can sense the members’ energy in each tone and phrase.
The video features the title track from their 2019 album, DUSK.
Longing LoveGeorge Winston
George Winston is a master of the genre often labeled “New Age,” and a pianist-composer who enjoys great popularity in Japan as well.
His skill at translating natural landscapes into music—such as in works expressing the spring, summer, autumn, and winter of his native Montana—has earned high acclaim.
Autumn, one of George’s early signature works, was released in 1980 and became an exceptional hit for a solo piano album, now regarded as a classic.
This time, I’d like to introduce Longing/Love, a track from that album.
Also known in Japanese as “Akogare/Ai” (“Longing/Love”), this solo piano masterpiece has been featured in various commercials and as background music on TV programs.
Its melody is so extraordinarily beautiful that once you hear it, its resonance is unforgettable.
When you want to calm your mind, why not listen to this melody?
17th Century Chicken PickinImpellitteri
It’s a piece in the so-called neoclassical style.
The dense flurry of notes and speed from start to finish is overwhelming.
With its torrent of triplet phrases and simple rhythm, it’s a straightforward yet passionate track.
I feel like listening to it when I want to get fired up.
SongbirdKenny G
Kenny G is probably the most popular saxophonist in the world.
While he’s an artist in the jazz-fusion vein, the song he released in 1986 became a huge hit, reaching No.
4 on the U.S.
charts and catapulting him to stardom.
I recall that his image—long hair flowing as he played the soprano sax—also earned him many female fans.
The song’s wistful, melancholic melody has made it very popular in Japan as well, and it’s still frequently heard today.
His 2014 visit to Japan was a great success, and he has continued to perform at the forefront for many years.
He often collaborates with vocalists, and his playing that highlights the vocals has a different charm from his solo instrumentals.
Top Gun AnthemSteve Stevens
When you think of the 1986 film Top Gun, it’s a quintessential classic of the ’80s that launched many then-young actors—starting with its star, Tom Cruise—into stardom.
In July 2021, a sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, is slated for release, marking the first follow-up in over three decades.
The film’s theme, Top Gun Anthem, is a timeless masterpiece that has long been cherished as a landmark in film music.
It was composed by German composer Harold Faltermeyer, who also won a Grammy for his work on the soundtrack to another ’80s classic, Beverly Hills Cop.
In Japan, the piece is also known by the title “Top Gun: Sanbi no Sekai” (“Top Gun — The World of Praise”).
It’s frequently used on TV programs, so many people will likely recognize it the moment they hear that heroic guitar phrase and think, “Ah, it’s that song.”
CandymanBoris S.
This is a track in the so-called schranz genre.
The wistful melody played with tones reminiscent of percussion instruments and the rampaging gabber kick sound are sure to be addictive.
It’s a perfect pick when you want to boost your mood in a quick and easy way.
BaGoldmund
Composer Keith Kenniff, who releases high-quality works rooted in electronica and ambient music under various artist names and also creates music for major corporate commercials.
Here, I’d like to introduce “Ba,” a track from his debut album Corduroy Road, released in 2005 under his Goldmund moniker known for its beautiful piano ambient sound.
The simple, nostalgic melody played on an upright piano has the effect of evoking scenes from the distant corners of the listener’s memory.
The piece was also used in a commercial for Honda’s bipedal robot ASIMO, and has become a highly popular classic.
Although the album was a hidden gem at the time of its release, it remains highly regarded more than 15 years later, with a vinyl reissue in 2020.