Ranking of popular classical pieces
Timeless classical masterpieces composed hundreds of years ago are still loved today.
We encounter them in many moments of our everyday lives, don’t we?
If you’re a classical music fan, you might go to hear orchestral performances; and if you play the piano or violin, there’s a good chance you’ve performed some of these pieces yourself.
We’ll introduce these classical masterpieces—arguably a genre listened to and cherished around the world like no other—in a ranking format!
It’s a ranking packed with masterpieces that we hope not only beginners to classical music but also dedicated fans will enjoy.
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Ranking of Popular Classical Pieces (71–80)
Etude ‘Railway’ Op.27bCharles Valentin Alkan78rank/position
Charles-Valentin Alkan, one of the leading composers of French Romanticism.
His Étude “Le Chemin de fer” (The Iron Road) Op.
27b is considered one of his most difficult works.
The key feature of this piece is, above all, its dramatic shifts in tempo.
Right from the opening, rapid passages evoking a steam locomotive burst in.
Written largely in sixteenth notes, it keeps the right hand relentlessly busy and demands exceptional finger speed.
It’s a straightforwardly high-difficulty piece, so if you’re confident in your fingerwork, be sure to check it out.
Invitation to the DanceCarl Maria von Weber79rank/position
This piece, notable for its brilliant waltz rhythm, is a piano solo that Carl Maria von Weber dedicated to his wife on their wedding anniversary.
Rich in narrative, it musically depicts the encounter and parting of a man and woman at a ball, and is known as a representative work of Romantic music.
In addition to the piano solo version, Hector Berlioz’s orchestral arrangement is also famous and was used in 1841 during a performance of Der Freischütz at the Paris Opéra.
With its lively rhythm and delicate emotional expression, this work is recommended even for those not familiar with classical music.
Clair de Lune from the Suite bergamasqueClaude Debussy80rank/position
Debussy’s masterpiece “Clair de Lune.” Composed almost entirely in pianissimo from beginning to end, it’s a quiet, gentle, and soothing work.
While the tone evokes a calm night with a hazy moonlight, the original title was actually “A Sentimental Stroll.” Knowing that, doesn’t it also begin to sound like a piece that conjures the image of someone walking dejectedly, steeped in sorrow? Try listening with that background in mind as well.
Classical Popular Songs Ranking (81–90)
Song of SpringFelix Mendelssohn81rank/position
A masterpiece born from Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words, it captivates the heart with its fresh melody and bright character, enriched by the warm sonority of A major.
Among the many celebrated works Mendelssohn composed, this piece stands out as a gem that balances gentleness with brilliance.
Published in 1844, it has long been beloved as background music for films and television, and exists not only as a piano solo but also in arrangements for various instruments such as violin and flute.
Its light, sunny atmosphere and refined melody make it perfect for weddings and receptions.
With graceful elegance and a warm tone, it is highly recommended as a beautiful soundtrack to brighten a special day.
Years of Pilgrimage, Book II: Italy, S.161 — No. 7 “Après une lecture de Dante – Fantasia quasi Sonata”Franz Liszt82rank/position
For those who want to perform a lesser-known piece at a piano recital, I recommend Liszt’s “Années de pèlerinage, Deuxième année: Italie, S.161, No.
7 ‘Après une lecture du Dante – Fantasia quasi Sonata.’” In terms of difficulty, it’s easier than Chopin’s Fantasy and not prohibitively hard, yet it’s perfect for showcasing solid technique.
Unusually for Liszt, it has a high performance payoff, so it’s enjoyable even as a straightforward piece.
The leaps in the coda are quite challenging, so if you’re confident in your technique, definitely give it a try.
12 Etudes, Op. 25 No. 11 “Winter Wind”Frederic Chopin83rank/position
Alongside Étude Op.
25 No.
6, Chopin’s Étude Op.
25 No.
11 “Winter Wind” ranks among his most technically demanding works.
Also known as the “Winter Wind Étude,” its difficulty is quite straightforward: the relentless rapid sixteenth notes make it hard to play.
For those who struggle with finger independence, it may feel extraordinarily difficult; however, for others, the frequent repetition means it may not seem as challenging as Op.
25 No.
6.
Waltz No. 6 in D-flat major “Minute Waltz”Frederic Chopin84rank/position
Written for solo piano, this piece is characterized by its lively and brilliant melody.
The rapid right-hand scales combine exquisitely with the left hand’s steady waltz rhythm, as if depicting a playful puppy scampering about.
Composed between 1846 and 1848, it was dedicated to Countess Delfina Potocka.
Although the performance time is relatively short—about one and a half to two minutes—the piece demands advanced technique and expressive nuance.
It’s recommended not only for classical music enthusiasts but also for those learning piano performance.
It has also been used as background music in films and anime, making it beloved by a wide audience.