Piano Masterpieces: Music you’ll want to listen to and play—beloved classic works

Gaspard of the Night, M. 55: II. The GallowsMaurice Ravel

Gaspard of the Night, M. 55: II. The Gallows

One of the pieces from Maurice Ravel’s 1908 piano suite Gaspard de la nuit, it sonically depicts the desolate scene portrayed in the poetry of Aloysius Bertrand.

A defining feature of this work is the relentless repetition of the same note—symbolizing a distant tolling bell—more than 150 times from beginning to end.

Over this monotonous resonance, eerie harmonies accumulate, drawing the listener into a meditative world dominated by the stillness of death.

For performers, maintaining strict tempo and a delicate balance of sonorities is essential; otherwise, the work’s overwhelming gloom may be compromised—making it a formidable challenge.

It is frequently programmed in competitions.

Consider listening to it when you wish to encounter the quiet beauty that lies at the depths of sorrow.

“The Four Seasons” – 12 Characteristic Sketches, Op. 37bis: June “Barcarolle”Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, June: Barcarolle [Naxos Classical Curation #Melancholic]

Among the solo piano pieces in the Russian composer’s The Seasons, this work is especially beloved for its lyrical beauty.

First published in a magazine in June 1876, it opens with a melancholy melody that ebbs and flows like waves on the shore.

It is said to be accompanied by a poem depicting a waterside scene, and its heartrending tune deeply resonates with listeners.

In the middle section, the music shifts to the major key, unfolding brilliant arpeggios that evoke the sparkle of stars.

So popular is the piece that it was also used in the 1981 ballet Piano Pieces.

A masterpiece that tenderly accompanies a sorrowful heart, it summons ineffable emotions beyond words.

In the ForestAlbert Ketèlbey

Ketèlbey: In the Woodlands [Naxos Classical Curator #Cute] / Albert, William Ketèlbey: In the Woodlands

How about a solo piano piece by Albert Ketèlbey that brings a sense of comfort, as if you were cooling off in the shade on a hot summer afternoon? As you listen, scenes seem to come to life: the soft light filtering through the trees deep in the forest, and even the sound of leaves rustling in a gentle breeze.

Its tender, approachable melody evokes a wonderfully tranquil passage of time.

This piano work is thought to have taken shape in the 1920s.

The album “A Dream Picture” includes a 1993 recording performed by Rosemary Tuck.

It’s a piece I especially recommend when you want to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life for a moment’s respite, or when you’d like to be enveloped in the gentle tone of the piano and spend some quiet time.

dreamClaude Debussy

Debussy 'Reverie' Haneda Kentaro

Composed in 1890 by the French composer Claude Debussy, the allure of this piece lies in its gentle, dreamlike sonorities.

Structured in an A–B–A ternary form, it features a singing melody that flows over beautiful arpeggiated accompaniment.

In the middle section, chorale-like harmonies appear, offering a dramatic character before returning to tranquility.

The work’s tonality is ambiguous, and its soft, fade-out ending leaves a dreamy afterglow.

It is recommended for those seeking peace of mind on a hot summer day or for anyone who wants to enjoy the rich colors of Impressionist music.

With a performance time of about four minutes, it’s an ideal piece for a relaxing moment.

Petite Suite: I. En bateauClaude Debussy

Debussy: Petite Suite: I. [En bateau] [Naxos Classical Curation #Healing] / Debussy: Petite Suite I. En bateau

In the heat of summer, let me introduce a piano duet by Claude Debussy that feels like a refreshing breeze for the soul.

First performed together by Debussy and his publisher’s representative in February 1889, this work opens a suite of four short pieces.

Its gentle, beautiful melody evokes a small boat gliding serenely over the water—utterly enchanting.

Though it has no lyrics, it is said to have been inspired by poems of Verlaine, and it conjures images of a boat drifting under moonlight, along with an elegant atmosphere from a distant era.

The shimmering piano timbres wrap the listener in a pleasantly cool calm.

The orchestral version is also well known, offering an even richer palette of colors, and you might even hear it as background music in public spaces.

Do give it a listen when you’re a bit worn out from the heat or when you want to settle your mind in quiet.

As Debussy intended for the salon—‘not too heavy and not too short’—it allows you to slip easily into a graceful mood.

4 minutes 33 secondsJohn Cage

John Cage’s 4’33”

4’33” is a three-movement piece composed by the American composer John Cage and premiered in 1952.

In this work, every movement of 4’33” consists of rests.

Far from being a mere prank, the piece embodies the composer’s creative vision and has received high acclaim worldwide.

“Frayce A’s Flowers,” Volume 3, Op. 16: No. 2 — Moving into the Summer HideawayWilhelm Peterson-Berger

Pettersson-Berger: “Frösö Flowers,” Book 3, Op. 16: No. 2, Moving into the Summer Hideaway [Naxos Classical Curations #Comical] / Frösöblomster, Book 3-2

Here’s a cool, refreshing piano piece that’s perfect for the hot summer months.

It’s a special gem from Swedish composer Wilhelm Peterson-Berger, included in the third volume of his piano collection Frösöblomster.

Completed in 1914, this work features a gentle, beautiful melody that feels like quietly stepping into a peaceful summer hideaway.

As you listen, you may feel as if you’re sitting beneath shimmering dappled light, caressed by a pleasant breeze.

The summer scenes of Frösön, the island the composer loved, seem to come alive before your eyes, helping you forget the everyday.

It isn’t flashy, but it’s full of a subtle charm that slowly seeps into the heart.

For anyone looking to step away from the daily hustle and immerse themselves in the world of music, it’s truly recommended.

When you want to calm your mind or enjoy a leisurely afternoon, this piece will surely leave you feeling gentle and at ease.

It might be the perfect companion for reading, too!