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!

Playlist

Piano Masterpieces: Music you’ll want to listen to and play—beloved classic works
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Pavane for a Dead Princess in G majorMaurice Ravel		Ravel’s masterpiece, with the left hand’s ninths as a stumbling block
2	Heroic Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53Frederic Chopin		Chopin “Heroic” Polonaise advanced difficult piece
3	Grand Etudes after Paganini, No. 3 ‘La Campanella’Franz Liszt		Liszt’s masterpiece with the highest difficulty among his études
4	Two Arabesques No. 1 in E majorClaude Debussy		Debussy’s masterpiece—the way you apply force is crucial.
5	Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp minor, Op. 66Frederic Chopin		Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu: high difficulty and impressive to listen to
6	Songs Without Words, Book V, Op. 62, No. 6, Spring SongFelix Mendelssohn		Mendelssohn’s Spring Song is a refined and beautiful work.
7	Italian Concerto, BWV 971J.S.Bach		Bach's concertos are difficult.
8	Farewell SongFrederic Chopin		Characteristics and Learning Value of Chopin's Farewell Etude
9	Liebesträume No. 3 (Three Nocturnes): “Dreams of Love”Franz Liszt		The beauty and popularity of Liszt’s Liebesträume
10	Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique,” II. movementLudwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s masterpiece piano sonata “Pathétique”
11	Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 No. 7 “Träumerei”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s masterpiece “Träumerei” — a gentle melody that soothes the heart
12	Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, Op. 311, Third Movement “Turkish March”Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Mozart’s challenging piano sonatas
13	Humoresques, Op. 101 No. 7Antonin Dvořák		With Dvořák’s gentle melody, the sight-reading and key changes are difficult.
14	Play of WaterMaurice Ravel		A difficult piece by Ravel. A piano work themed around fountains.
15	Prelude No. 15 “Raindrop” from 24 PreludesFrederic Chopin		The Allure of Chopin’s 24 Preludes and No. 15 “Raindrop”
16	Maiden’s PrayerTekla Bądarzewska		The key to Maiden’s Prayer is the tuplets
17	Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven		Play Beethoven's masterpieces on the piano with mastery
18	Love’s GreetingEdward Elgar		Elgar’s Salut d’Amour is mainly right-hand focused; watch out for mistakes in the left hand.
19	Gymnopédie No. 1Erik Satie		A famous piece by Satie; the left-hand leaps are difficult.
20	12 Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman” (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Mozart's Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Variations are upper-intermediate.
21	On Wings of SongFelix Mendelssohn		A song to which Mendelssohn set music for a poem by Heine
22	Sonata No. 12 in A-flat major, Op. 26 “Funeral March”Ludwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s Funeral March Sonata is an intermediate-level work.
23	Flower SongGustav Lange		Lange's Piano Pieces Collection
24	4 minutes 33 secondsJohn Cage		Cage’s silent musical piece, high rating
25	The Fir Tree, from Five Pieces (Suite of Trees)Jean Sibelius		Sibelius’s The Spruce, a masterpiece of piano miniatures
26	Romanian Folk Dances: ‘Romanian Polka’ and ‘Fast Dance’Bartók Béla		Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances
27	Songs Without Words, Book V, Op. 62 No. 5, No. 3: “Venetian Boat Song”Felix Mendelssohn		Mendelssohn’s moving canal miniature
28	Serenade from SchwanengesangFranz Schubert		The melancholy and beauty of Schubert's lieder
29	Nocturne No. 19 in E minor, Op. 72 No. 1, “Posthumous”Frederic Chopin		Chopin’s emotionally rich Nocturnes
30	Sonatine in F-sharp minor, M. 40: II. MenuetMaurice Ravel		The beauty of Ravel’s piano piece “Sonatine”
31	Gaspard of the Night, M. 55: II. The GallowsMaurice Ravel		An eerie masterpiece with a repeating bell chime
32	“The Four Seasons” – 12 Characteristic Sketches, Op. 37bis: June “Barcarolle”Pyotr Tchaikovsky		A lyrical piano piece by a Russian composer
33	dreamClaude Debussy		The serene beauty of fantastical Impressionist music
34	Petite Suite: I. En bateauClaude Debussy		Debussy’s water scenes, with a cool, refreshing tone
35	Little Boat on the Ocean from the Suite ‘Mirrors’Maurice Ravel		My heart is cleansed by Ravel’s cool, refreshing piano piece.
36	French Suite No. 1, BWV 812: SarabandeJ.S.Bach		An approachable dance piece, ideal as an introduction to Baroque music
37	French Suite No. 2, BWV 813: Menuet IJ.S.Bach		Bach’s elegant triple-meter dance
38	scramble crossinghashimoto kouichi		A dynamic piece that expresses the hustle and bustle of the city through irregular time signatures
39	Carnaval, Op. 9 No. 12 – ChopinRobert Schumann		Schumann’s masterpiece filled with love for Chopin
40	Three Romances, Op. 11 No. 1Clara Schumann		An emotional piano piece imbued with hidden feelings for Clara
41	Gnossienne No. 3Erik Satie		A meditative 1893 composition without barlines
42	Melody Op. 4-2Fanny Mendelssohn		An emotionally rich, delicate miniature by Fanny
43	Six Pieces: “Nocturnes”Pyotr Tchaikovsky		A sentimental masterpiece that depicts the stillness of the night
44	Dumka in C minor, Op. 59Pyotr Tchaikovsky		Expressive piano piece by Tchaikovsky
45	In the ForestAlbert Ketèlbey		A gentle, shade-like piano piece that soothes the heart
46	Nocturne No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Frederic Chopin		Chopin's beautiful nocturnes, soothing to the soul
47	Daylight saving timeGeorge Gershwin		A Lullaby to Soothe Gershwin's Heart
48	Summer MorningHeino Kasuki		A refreshing piano piece for a summer morning
49	At the seaside at nightHeino Kasuki		A cool piano piece that makes you forget the summer heat
50	“Frayce A’s Flowers,” Volume 3, Op. 16: No. 2 — Moving into the Summer HideawayWilhelm Peterson-Berger		A gentle summer piano piece, soothing to the heart
51	Scherzo Focoso, Op. 34Charles Valentin Alkan		A magnificent piano piece where advanced technique and passion intertwine
52	Three New Etudes No. 2 in A-flat majorFrederic Chopin		You can learn technique and musical expression through Chopin’s études.
53	Passacaglia Harpsichord Suite No. 7 (HWV 432)Georg Friedrich Händel		A masterpiece that distills the charm of Baroque music
54	Kinderszenen, Op. 15, No. 7: “Träumerei”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s “Träumerei” is a masterpiece with a beautiful melody.
55	Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		A masterpiece influenced by Turkish-style music
56	Fantasia Sakura SakuraHirai Kōsaburō		Contemporary piano piece of Japanese traditional music
57	Invention No. 2 in C minor, BWV 773J.S.Bach		The Appeal of Bach’s Invention in C Minor
58	French Suite No. 1, BWV 812 – Menuet IJ.S.Bach		An elegant triple-meter piece from the Baroque era
59	French Suite No. 2, BWV 813 – Minuet IIJ.S.Bach		Bach’s Minuet: elegant and profound music
60	French Suite No. 3, BWV 814, MinuetJ.S.Bach		An elegant baroque-style dance suite
61	French Suite No. 5, BWV 816: SarabandeJ.S.Bach		Classical music, the sarabande of the Baroque era is captivating.
62	French Suite No. 6, BWV 817: SarabandeJ.S.Bach		A dance imbued with Bach’s profound spirituality
63	Polonaise in G minor (BWV Anh. 119)J.S.Bach		Loving music for Bach’s wife
64	Songs Without Words, Book II, Op. 30, No. 1: MeditationFelix Mendelssohn		A classic with a gentle melody, rich in emotion
65	Songs Without Words, Book III, Op. 38, No. 4: HopeFelix Mendelssohn		A calm and approachable piece from the Songs Without Words collection
66	Songs Without Words, Book 4, Op. 53 No. 2 “Floating Clouds”Felix Mendelssohn		An elegant Romantic-era song without words, playable with careful practice
67	Songs Without Words, Book 4, Op. 53 No. 4, Sorrow of the HeartFelix Mendelssohn		Mendelssohn’s collection of emotionally rich short pieces
68	“Butterflies,” Op. 2, No. 12: “Final Scene and the Returning Brothers”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s Butterfly finale depicts the end of a ball
69	Three Sonatas for Children, Op. 11, No. 2: “3. Evening Song” Op. 118b-3Robert Schumann		Schumann’s heartwarming piano piece
70	Six Écossaises No. 1Ludwig van Beethoven		A lively Scottish-style dance, a 2.5-minute charmer
71	Six Écossaises No. 5Ludwig van Beethoven		An elegant dance in E-flat major, with a light, lively rhythm
72	Armand in A major, WoO 81Ludwig van Beethoven		4/4 time, the allure of a splendid dance
73	11 New Bagatelles for Piano, Op. 119 No. 8 in C majorLudwig van Beethoven		Rich music, a pleasant resonance, and moving emotion
74	Piano Sonata No. 19, Op. 49-1, First MovementLudwig van Beethoven		A work by Beethoven. Calm and approachable. Suitable for beginners.
75	Piano Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2, Second MovementLudwig van Beethoven		A warm triple-meter piece in minuet form
76	Piano Sonata No. 25, Op. 79, Movement IIILudwig van Beethoven		A graceful romantic masterpiece in 9/8 time
77	Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major, K. 332 (K6 300k), No. 1Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Elegant melodies and beautiful music of the Classical era
78	Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major, K. 332 (K6. 300k), No. 2Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		The Charm of Mozart’s Piano Sonatas
79	Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545, No. 2Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Beautiful masterpieces of classical music
80	Children’s Corner No. 1: “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum”Claude Debussy		A lively piano miniature dedicated to Debussy’s beloved daughter
81	4 Etudes No. 4, Op. 7-4 in F-sharp majorIgor Stravinsky		A lively and innovative short musical piece that captivates listeners
82	8 Pieces, Op. 84: No. 1, CapriccioGabriel Fauré		A 1902 Paris work that expresses French vocal music on the piano
83	Eight Pieces, Op. 84: No. 3, FugueGabriel Fauré		Elegant musical expression of French music
84	Nocturne No. 1 in E-flat minor, Op. 33Gabriel Fauré		A piano piece that unfolds from silence to passion
85	Suite ‘Dolly’ Op. 56 No. 4, Kitty-ValseGabriel Fauré		Play the graceful waltz of French music on the piano
86	Barcarolle No. 12 in E-flat major, Op. 105-2Gabriel Fauré		A French piano piece composed in 1921
87	Barcarolle No. 4 in E-flat major, Op. 36Gabriel Fauré		Fauré’s elegant and delicate, beautiful works
88	Children’s Album, Volume 1: “Album of My Boyhood,” No. 5: EtudeAram Khachaturian		A short piece of ethnic music for children with an impressive staccato feel
89	Suite bergamasque, No. 3: Clair de LuneClaude Debussy		The Allure of Debussy’s Masterpiece “Clair de Lune” and How to Enjoy It
90	Bergamasque Suite No. 4: PassepiedClaude Debussy		An elegant piano piece based on a passepied
91	Video, Episode 1: “Reflections of Water”Claude Debussy		Debussy's beautiful piano piece that depicts water
92	Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S.514 “Dance in the Village Inn”Franz Liszt		Introduction to Liszt’s Passionate Waltz Pieces
93	Trout (arranged by Liszt)Franz Schubert		The Trout, piano arrangement by Liszt
94	Etude Collection (Studies) No. 4, Op. 10-4 in C-sharp minorFrederic Chopin		Passionate music with advanced technique is captivating.
95	Waltz No. 6 in D-flat major “Minute Waltz”Frederic Chopin		A piano solo piece depicting a puppy scampering about
96	Etude Op. 10 No. 12 “Revolutionary”Frederic Chopin		Chopin’s Revolutionary Étude captivates with its fierce, dramatic melody.
97	Grand WaltzFrederic Chopin		Chopin’s graceful and brilliant waltz
98	Sonatina No. 1, Movement I, Op. 20-1Friedrich Kuhlau		A clear and approachable piece in C major
99	Joy of LoveFritz Kreisler		A traditional light dance from Vienna
100	Etude No. 13 in A-flat major, Op. 25 No. 1 “Aeolian Harp”Frederic Chopin		A technically intricate piano piece that expresses the atmosphere of spring
101	Brilliant WaltzGlenda Austin		An elegant composition that fuses waltz and jazz
102	Happiness, Opus 292-6Gustav Lange		Heal your heart with an elegant piano piece
103	Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100, No. 19 “Ave Maria”Johann Burgmüller		A religious piece inspired by a cathedral church choir
104	Hungarian Dance No. 2Johannes Brahms		A passionate piano duet of Hungarian folk music
105	Waltz No. 15, Op. 39-15 “Waltz of Love”Johannes Brahms		Waltz No. 15 has difficult chords
106	Turkish MarchLudwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s Famous Pieces Popular with Beginner Pianists
107	Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight,” First MovementLudwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s Moonlight is the greatest masterpiece.
108	Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight,” First MovementLudwig van Beethoven		The first movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata is sad and beautiful.
109	Piano Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique,” Second MovementLudwig van Beethoven		An emotional piece with a gentle melody
110	Piano Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique,” 3rd movementLudwig van Beethoven		The allure of powerful, passionate music
111	Toccata from Le Tombeau de CouperinMaurice Ravel		Ravel’s masterpiece commemorating World War I, an innovation in Baroque style
112	15 Virtuoso Études, Op. 72 No. 2Moritz Moszkowski		A Romantic masterpiece, where virtuosity and expressiveness shine.
113	Sonatina No. 12, Movement IMuzio Clementi		A bright Classical-era piano piece like spring
114	Sonatina No. 7, First MovementMuzio Clementi		An elegant and technically skillful piano piece, brilliant and bright.
115	Sonatine No. 8, Movement IMuzio Clementi		The charm of piano pieces: brilliant and powerful
116	Sonatina No. 9, First MovementMuzio Clementi		Clementi’s lively composition, brimming with vibrant tones.
117	Eight Concert Etudes, Op. 40: No. 1 “Prelude”Nikolai Kapustin		Kapustin’s jazz-classical fusion piece
118	Concert Etudes, 8 Pieces: No. 5 “Joke”Nikolai Kapustin		A fusion piece of classical and jazz
119	Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14Sergei Rakhmaninov		Introducing Rachmaninoff’s dark piece, Vocalise
120	Fantasia Pieces: Prelude “The Bells,” Op. 3 No. 2 in C-sharp minorSergei Rakhmaninov		Rachmaninoff’s dark masterpiece piano piece
121	12 Transcendental Etudes, Op. 11 No. 10 “Lezginka”Sergey Lyapunov,		Lyapunov: Caucasian Folk Dance
122	Waltz EtudeWilliam Gillock		The enchanting melody of a glamorous waltz
123	Piano Sonata No. 16, K. 545Wolfgang Mozart		Commentary on Masterpieces of Mozart’s Piano Sonatas
124	Je te veux (I want you)Éric Satie		Waltz: A Passionate and Elegant Masterpiece
125	Nocturne No. 2Frederic Chopin		Chopin’s fantastical piano piece, a soothing masterpiece
126	La CampanellaFranz Liszt		A piano piece arranged by Liszt, with striking bell sounds
127	Impromptu of the WindNakata Yoshinao		A melody like a refreshing, free wind
128	Piano Sonata No. 2 “Fantasy” in G-sharp minor, Op. 19Aleksandr Skryabin		Evolutionary Piano Sonata by Scriabin
129	Three Concert Études No. 3 “Un Sospiro”Franz Liszt		Liszt’s etudes are technique and beauty.
130	Fantasia in C major, D.760 “Wanderer”Franz Schubert		A piano piece composed by Schubert. It was so difficult that even the composer himself couldn’t play it.
131	24 Preludes, Op. 28 No. 15 “Raindrop”Frederic Chopin		Chopin’s Raindrop piano piece
132	Nocturne No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Frederic Chopin		Chopin’s Nocturnes: Beautiful masterpieces that heal the heart
133	Sonatina No. 1 in C majorFriedrich Kuhlau		Kuhlau's piano teaching sonatinas
134	The Lucky BlacksmithGeorg Friedrich Händel		The famous variations from Handel’s Harpsichord Suite
135	From 25 Etudes: The Lady’s Horseback Riding / La chevaleresqueJohann Burgmüller		Burgmüller’s 25 Progressive Piano Etudes
136	Emperor WaltzJohann Strauss II		Emperor Waltz is a masterpiece by Johann Strauss II.
137	Waltz, Op. 39 No. 15 “Waltz of Love”Johannes Brahms		Brahms's Piano Pieces Expressing Affection
138	Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique,” Second MovementLudwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s masterpiece—the second movement is the most beautiful.
139	Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor “Pathétique”Ludwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s representative piano sonatas
140	Sonatina No. 10, First MovementMuzio Clementi		A masterpiece that conveys the expressiveness and allure of piano music
141	Eight Concert Etudes, Op. 40Nikolai Kapustin		Kapustin’s jazz-classical fusion piece
142	Adeline by the SeasidePaul de Senneville		A song dedicated to his daughter became his debut work and a worldwide hit.
143	Suite from the ballet “The Nutcracker”Pyotr Tchaikovsky		The Charm of The Nutcracker
144	Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minorSergei Prokofiev		Prokofiev’s Sonata in F minor
145	Children’s Album, Volume 1, “Picture Book of Boyhood”: No. 7, Hobbyhorse (Cavalry)Aram Khachaturian		A piano miniature depicting children's play
146	Nocturne (from Six Pieces)Ottorino Respighi		Nocturne. A short piece expressing the silence of the night.