Piano Masterpieces: Music you’ll want to listen to and play—beloved classic works
Do you have any memorable piano pieces that make you feel healed when you listen to them, or that you’d like to play someday?
A favorite piece can soothe a mind clouded by stress or anxiety.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected world-famous piano works from among the classics that could become your go-to soothing track.
Even if you’re not very familiar with classical music, we’ve chosen only well-known pieces you’ve likely heard somewhere before, so please enjoy reading to the end!
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Piano Masterpieces: Pieces You’ll Love to Listen to and Long to Play! Beloved Classical Works (101–110)
La CampanellaFranz Liszt
The delicate melody, modeled after the sound of bells, is striking, with beautiful leaps and ornaments in the high register resonating throughout.
The piano piece, revised in 1851, is characterized by passionate expressiveness that embodies the essence of Romantic music and by virtuosic performance demands.
Inspired by Niccolò Paganini’s playing in 1831, Franz Liszt arranged the theme of a violin concerto for piano.
Frequently used as background music in films and television shows, it has captivated many listeners.
This work is recommended for those who want to study in a quiet environment with focus.
Its bell-like, transparent timbre will calm the mind while maintaining a moderate sense of tension.
Children’s Album, Volume 1: “Album of My Boyhood,” No. 5: EtudeAram Khachaturian
This striking 1-minute-30-second miniature, with its distinctive staccato, has long been loved as a piece that children can enjoy performing.
Its lively rhythm and simple yet emotionally rich melody create a musical world that beautifully fuses Armenian folk color.
While it demands balanced hands and rhythmic precision, it is full of charm that captivates audiences in recitals.
Written in C major and 4/4 time, this work is recommended for those who want to improve their sense of rhythm and finger independence, as well as for those who wish to take on an expressively rich piece incorporating elements of folk music.
Suite bergamasque, No. 3: Clair de LuneClaude Debussy
Claude Debussy’s masterpiece “Clair de Lune” is known for its gentle, beautiful melody that evokes a moon faintly floating in the night sky.
Among Debussy’s early works, the Suite bergamasque, it is the most famous piece, and it is frequently used not only in classical concerts but also in films and commercials.
Its mysterious atmosphere makes it perfect for listening on a quiet autumn night.
Performing it yourself is also recommended—enjoy its unique world while fully savoring the artsy spirit of the season.
Bergamasque Suite No. 4: PassepiedClaude Debussy
This piece features a light, graceful melody that resonates pleasantly, and while it is based on the French Baroque dance “Passepied,” it incorporates a distinctive interpretive approach.
Written in 4/4 time, the left-hand accompaniment conveys a steady sense of liveliness, while the right-hand melody employs abundant syncopation to achieve a flowing elegance.
Composed around 1890 and published in 1905, the work has an overall antique character, yet it creates a striking effect through constantly shifting harmonic colors.
For piano students, it offers an excellent opportunity to pursue refined musicality by focusing on crisp, buoyant staccato and smooth legato.
Video, Episode 1: “Reflections of Water”Claude Debussy
This is a beautiful piano piece by Claude Debussy that depicts the sparkle of light and ripples on the water’s surface through delicate timbres and flowing arpeggios.
The serene atmosphere of the waterside is masterfully expressed by the transparent melody in the right hand and the deep chords in the left.
The rich resonance created by layered tones and pedal work conveys the mysterious ambience of the world of water in all its nuance.
In the fluid middle section, the surface becomes more animated, then finally returns to stillness, allowing you to sense the many expressions of the waterside.
Although the harmonic progressions may appear complex, with slow and careful practice you can enjoy the overlapping sounds and lingering overtones as you play.
It’s a perfect piece for those who wish to explore the beauty and expressive power of the piano’s tone.
Piano Masterpieces: Pieces You Want to Listen to and Play! Beloved Classical Works (111–120)
Three New Etudes No. 2 in A-flat majorFrederic Chopin
I’d like to introduce No.
2 from Frédéric Chopin’s “Three New Études.” Set at an Allegretto tempo, it presents the challenge of coordinating different rhythms—triplets in the right hand against eighth notes in the left.
With slow, careful practice, you’ll definitely be able to play it.
The melody lies in the upper voice of the right hand, so the key is to bring that line out.
The left hand also spans a wide range, so be sure to practice your leaps thoroughly.
Composed in 1839, this piece is a wonderful work that teaches not only technical skills but also musical expression.
It’s recommended even for those who have just started playing the piano.
Come and experience the world of Chopin!
Etude Collection (Studies) No. 4, Op. 10-4 in C-sharp minorFrederic Chopin
A fiercely passionate piece that grips the listener’s heart and won’t let go.
Its rapid sixteenth-note passages and continuous intricate figures in both hands create an impact like a storm.
Composed in August 1832, this work is acclaimed as having artistic value that far surpasses a mere study.
It is recommended not only for those aiming to improve their piano technique, but also for anyone who loves passionate music.
While the performance demands advanced technique, the sense of accomplishment is all the greater.
If you want to experience the appeal of classical music, why not give it a try?