Masterpieces of the Romantic Era: A sweeping introduction to soul-stirring, celebrated gems!

The new musical trend that spread across Europe in the 19th century, known as the Romantic movement.

Often called “the most dazzling era in the history of classical music,” the Romantic era saw many composers—foremost among them Chopin and Liszt—leave behind a wealth of masterpieces that have been celebrated for generations.

In this article, we highlight some of the most famous works from the Romantic era, particularly those with high recognition and popularity.

We introduce them alongside insights into each composer’s characteristics, the background in which the pieces were created, and key points to listen for in the works.

Playlist

Masterpieces of the Romantic Era: A sweeping introduction to soul-stirring, celebrated gems!
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Liebesträume No. 3Franz Liszt		Liszt’s passionate dream of love, a heart-soothing masterpiece
2	Rakoczi March from the dramatic tale The Damnation of FaustHector Berlioz		The Rákóczi March was originally a Hungari...
3	Wedding March from the opera “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”Felix Mendelssohn		Among the incidental music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the particularly well-known piece is...
4	Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F-sharp minorJohannes Brahms		Johann..., a composer representing the German Romantic school...
5	Introduction from the symphonic poem “Also sprach Zarathustra”Richard Strauss		A phrase you often hear in TV shows and commercials...
6	Radetzky March, Op. 228Johann Strauss I		This piece was composed by Johann Strauss I...
7	Prelude from the opera ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’Richard Wagner		He composed many operas based on myths and legends...
8	Erlkönig, Op. 1, D 328Franz Schubert		Active from the late 18th century to the early 19th century...
9	Kinderszenen, Op. 15, No. 7: “Träumerei”Robert Schumann		Robert, a composer representing the German Romantic school…
10	Grandes études de Paganini, S.121, No. 3 “La Campanella”Franz Liszt		Franz Liszt, who was called the magician of the piano…
11	‘Toreador Song’ from Carmen Suite No. 2Georges Bizet		Into French composed by Georges Bizet...
12	Fantaisie-ImpromptuFrederic Chopin		Frédéric, a composer who represents the Romantic era, …
13	Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, MWV O 14Felix Mendelssohn		Felix Mendelssohn was a 19th-century...
14	Overture to the opera “Der Freischütz,” Op. 77, J. 277Carl Maria von Weber		Composer C… , a representative figure of the early Romantic music era,
15	Triumphal March from the opera AidaGiuseppe Verdi		Triumphal March is by Giuseppe Verdi…
16	String Quartet No. 2, Movement 1Alexander Borodin		The beautiful melody of a string quartet filled with love
17	“Grandes études de Paganini,” No. 6: “Theme and Variations”Franz Liszt		An elegant, refined melody and dazzling piano virtuosity...
18	Twelve Etudes in All Minor Keys No. 2 in D minor, in a Morossian rhythmCharles Valentin Alkan		A piano solo marked by a powerful three-beat rhythm...
19	Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-flat major, D 960 — Movement III: Allegro vivace con delicatezzaFranz Schubert		The profound emotion and beauty of Schubert’s masterpieces
20	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D 667 “Trout” — III. Scherzo: PrestoFranz Schubert		The charm of chamber music like spring
21	Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114, D. 667 “Trout” — IV. Theme and Variations: AndantinoFranz Schubert		Schubert’s captivating chamber piece “The Trout”
22	String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D 804 “Rosamunde,” Movement IIFranz Schubert		Gem-like chamber music works that resonate with the heart
23	String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D. 804 “Rosamunde,” Movement IIIFranz Schubert		Masterpieces from the Classical to the Romantic era, graceful melodies
24	String Quartet No. 13, Op. 29, D. 804 “Rosamunde,” Movement IVFranz Schubert		Beautiful, moving chamber music
25	Prelude in A minor, Op. 28 No. 2Frederic Chopin		This song, which begins at a relaxed tempo, grows hea…
26	Prelude in C minor, Op. 28 No. 20Frederic Chopin		A piece that can be played easily, Frédéric Chopin…
27	Prelude in D-sharp major, Op. 28 No. 13Frederic Chopin		Frederic exudes a quiet, introspective aura...
28	Prelude No. 6 in B minor, Op. 28-6Frederic Chopin		It’s a short piece imbued with delicacy and a sense of wistfulness, yet its emotional expression…
29	Prelude, Op. 45 in C-sharp minorFrederic Chopin		Franz Liszt and Friedrich Schumann...
30	Like a melodyJohannes Brahms		Expressing warm, delicate emotions through music
31	String Quartet No. 1, Second Movement: Andante cantabilePyotr Tchaikovsky		A masterpiece that moves you, inspired by a Ukrainian folk song
32	Symphony No. 2, Movement IIISergei Rachmaninov		A masterpiece whose beautiful melody stirs the heart