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.

Playlist

Ranking of popular classical pieces
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Adagio for StringsSamuel Barber		Barber’s moving Adagio for Strings
2	Love’s GreetingEdward Elgar		Composed by Elgar, a masterpiece of love, spring music
3	CanonJohann Pachelbel		Pachelbel’s elegant masterpiece, Canon
4	The EntertainerScott Joplin		Bright and dynamic jazz piano piece
5	Oriental Fantasy: IslameyMily Balakirev		A difficult piece by Balakirev with an Oriental atmosphere.
6	Pavane for a Dead PrincessMaurice Ravel		Ravel’s beautiful masterpiece imbued with a sense of melancholy.
7	The Maiden with Flaxen HairClaude Debussy		Debussy's representative works of Impressionist music
8	Air on the G StringJ.S.Bach		Baroque woven from gentle melodies and graceful harmonies...
9	Liebesträume No. 3Franz Liszt		A representative work of Franz Liszt, a leading figure of the Romantic era...
10	Rhapsody in BlueGeorge Gershwin		Mr. George Gershwin blended jazz and...
11	Symphony No. 7Ludwig van Beethoven		The Appeal and Characteristics of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7
12	The Pigeon and the BoyHisaishi Joe		Pazu's trumpet from Castle in the Sky (Laputa)
13	La CampanellaFranz Liszt		A delicate melody reminiscent of tolling bells is striking, with high notes...
14	I Want YouErik Satie		The sensuous waltz piece by the French composer Satie
15	Etude Collection (Studies) No. 4, Op. 10-4 in C-sharp minorFrederic Chopin		Passionate music with advanced technique is captivating.
16	Piano Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique,” Second MovementLudwig van Beethoven		Pathétique Sonata, the moving second movement
17	Sacred and Secular DancesClaude Debussy		A work by Debussy that brought out new possibilities for the harp
18	Sorrow of LoveFritz Kreisler		A beloved classic imbued with Viennese charm
19	November StepsTakemitsu Tōru		Toru Takemitsu’s fusion works for biwa, shakuhachi, and orchestra
20	Toccata in C major, Op. 7Robert Schumann		...the great Romantic composer Robert Schumann’s...
21	Pavane for a Dead QueenMaurice Ravel		Ravel’s masterpiece soothes the heart
22	Joy of LoveFritz Kreisler		Elegant Viennese dance music, a masterpiece by Kreisler
23	ChaconneTomaso Antonio Vitali		From the 1700s to the mid-1740s...
24	Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S.514 “Dance in the Village Inn”Franz Liszt		Known as a masterpiece of transcendental virtuosity in the history of piano performance…
25	Sonatina No. 1, Movement I, Op. 20-1Friedrich Kuhlau		A clear and approachable piece in C major
26	Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2Franz Liszt		Liszt’s fiendishly difficult piece, “Hungarian Rhapsody”
27	Piano Concerto in F majorGeorge Gershwin		Composer Joe, who shines brilliantly in the history of American music…
28	ZigeunerweisenPablo de Sarasate		The Spanish-born composer, Pablo de Saras...
29	Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”Antonín Dvořák		The famous piece composed in America, From the New World
30	Grand WaltzFrederic Chopin		Chopin’s graceful and brilliant waltz
31	Piano Sonata in B minor, S.178Franz Liszt		Composed between 1849 and 1853…
32	Years of Pilgrimage, Second Year – Supplement: “Venice and Naples,” S.162, No. 3: “Tarantella”Franz Liszt		It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the culmination of Franz Liszt’s work…
33	Concert Etudes, 8 Pieces: No. 5 “Joke”Nikolai Kapustin		A fusion piece of classical and jazz
34	Come, sweet deathJ.S.Bach		Bach’s sacred songs: the peace of faith and death
35	Play of WaterMaurice Ravel		Ravel's piano piece that flows like water
36	Sonatine No. 8, Movement IMuzio Clementi		The charm of piano pieces: brilliant and powerful
37	Spanish Rhapsody, S.254Franz Liszt		Franz, known as a virtuoso pianist...
38	Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, Variation 18: Andante cantabileSergei Rachmaninov		Introducing Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
39	Clair de lune, the 3rd piece from the Suite bergamasqueClaude Debussy		A fantastical masterpiece that expresses moonlight through sound
40	12 Etudes Op. 25-6Frederic Chopin		Among Chopin’s works, it ranks among the most difficult…
41	Jesu, Joy of Man’s DesiringJ.S.Bach		Bach’s chorales bring peace to the heart
42	Like a melodyJohannes Brahms		Depicting emotions that can’t be put into words through music
43	Dance of DeathCamille Saint-Saëns		Dance of Death: exploring the universal themes of life and death
44	Chromatic Grand GallopFranz Liszt		A masterpiece on the list, “Grand Chromatic Galop.” “...
45	Andante spianato and Grand Polonaise brillante, Op. 22Frederic Chopin		A concerto-like work for orchestra and piano, “An…
46	white birchJean Sibelius		A piano piece that depicts an elegant scene of nature
47	Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight,” I. AllegrettoLudwig van Beethoven		Moonlight Sonata, delicate melodies and tranquil beauty
48	Symphony No. 5 “Fate”Ludwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Fate
49	String Quartet No. 2, Movement 1Alexander Borodin		This string instrument piece, known as a masterpiece brimming with lyrical beauty…
50	MoonlightClaude Debussy		Active from the late 19th century to the early 20th century...
51	Csikos PostHermann Necke		A gem of a lively tune beloved as sports day BGM
52	Meditation from ThaïsJules Massenet		The Intermezzo from the opera Thaïs, a moving masterpiece.
53	Kreisleriana, Op. 16 No. 7Robert Schumann		A passionate minor-key piece: Schumann’s anguish
54	Memories of the AlhambraFrancisco Tárrega		A classic piece for classical guitar that resonates with the heart
55	Concert Etude “Knight,” Op. 17Charles Valentin Alkan		Alkan’s masterpiece piano piece
56	Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Frederic Chopin		Frederic Ch…, a composer representing the Romantic era,
57	Radetzky MarchJohann Strauss I		The Radetzky March is beloved celebratory music
58	A Trumpeter’s HolidayLeroy Anderson		A famous trumpet piece that's a staple at sports days
59	Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 83, 1st movementSergei Prokofiev		A difficult piece: Prokofiev’s War Sonata No. 7.
60	TARKUS for pianoEmerson Lake&Palmer		A piano arrangement of a progressive rock masterpiece
61	Polonaise No. 6 in A-flat major, Op. 53 “Heroic Polonaise”Frederic Chopin		Frede…, a composer representing 19th-century Europe
62	Flower SongGustav Lange		Hana no Uta is perfect as wedding BGM.
63	Eight Concert Etudes, Op. 40: No. 1 “Prelude”Nikolai Kapustin		Kapustin’s jazz-classical fusion piece
64	Carmen FantasyPablo de Sarasate		Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy
65	Introduction from the symphonic poem “Also sprach Zarathustra”Richard Strauss		A famous symphonic poem composed by Strauss
66	Symphony No. 2, Movement IIISergei Rachmaninov		Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, an inspiring masterpiece
67	A Little Night MusicWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		A masterpiece whose gentle and graceful melody seeps into the heart…
68	Transcendental Étude No. 5 “Will-o’-the-Wisp”Franz Liszt		Liszt's Feux follets, a masterpiece of transcendental technique and poetic expression
69	Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23Frederic Chopin		Frede..., the “Poet of the Piano” born in Poland
70	Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, Fourth MovementFrederic Chopin		Chopin’s striking blend of intensity and brilliance...
71	Polonaise No. 6 in A-flat major, Op. 53 “Heroic”Frederic Chopin		“Polonaises” by Samson François
72	Brave Rider from ‘Album for Children’Robert Schumann		A short masterpiece that expresses the image of a knight
73	Tufted puffinHakasé Tarō		Moving music depicting an auk (tufted puffin)
74	Nocturne No. 8, Op. 27 No. 2Frederic Chopin		An elegant, introspective atmosphere gently envelops the heart—Frede…
75	Pachelbel’s CanonJohann Pachelbel		Pachelbel’s Canon is a masterpiece.
76	Sonatina No. 12, Movement IMuzio Clementi		A bright Classical-era piano piece like spring
77	String Quartet No. 1, Movement II: Andante cantabilePyotr Tchaikovsky		Evocative music inspired by artisans' folk songs
78	Etude ‘Railway’ Op.27bCharles Valentin Alkan		An étude by Alkan themed on railways, of high difficulty
79	Invitation to the DanceCarl Maria von Weber		This piece, with its strikingly vibrant waltz rhythm...
80	Clair de Lune from the Suite bergamasqueClaude Debussy		The Quiet Beauty of Debussy’s “Clair de Lune”
81	Song of SpringFelix Mendelssohn		Famous pieces from Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words
82	Years of Pilgrimage, Book II: Italy, S.161 — No. 7 “Après une lecture de Dante – Fantasia quasi Sonata”Franz Liszt		Liszt: Années de pèlerinage – Italy. For a recital.
83	12 Etudes, Op. 25 No. 11 “Winter Wind”Frederic Chopin		Standing alongside “12 Etudes, Op. 25 No. 6,” this pi…
84	Waltz No. 6 in D-flat major “Minute Waltz”Frederic Chopin		A piano solo piece depicting a puppy scampering about
85	Gaspard de la nuit, No. 3: ScarboMaurice Ravel		Maurice Ravel, one of France’s most representative composers, ...
86	Sonatina No. 9, First MovementMuzio Clementi		Clementi’s lively composition, brimming with vibrant tones.
87	Kinderszenen, Op. 15, No. 7: “Träumerei”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s Life and Signature Piece, Träumerei
88	Sword DanceAram Khachaturian		Sabre Dance by Khachaturian
89	GymnopédiesErik Satie		Satie’s graceful, emotionally resonant masterpiece
90	Cello Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 58Felix Mendelssohn		A chamber music masterpiece for cello and piano composed by Mendelssohn
91	“Arpeggio,” No. 4 from the Grandes études de PaganiniFranz Liszt		Liszt, Grand Piano Variations on a Theme of Paganini
92	light cavalryFranz von Suppé		The Light Cavalry Overture is a brilliant march
93	Concert Allegro in A major, Op. 46Frederic Chopin		Chopin’s solo piano piece, known as a difficult work...
94	Hungarian Dance No. 5Johannes Brahms		Frequently heard at recitals and the like as a duet practice piece…
95	Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven		The treasure of classical music, Beethoven
96	Festival(s) of RomeOttorino Respighi		Respighi’s masterpiece, Feste Romane (Roman Festivals)
97	Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14Sergei Rachmaninov		A Masterpiece of Vocalise by a Russian Master
98	Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		This work, marked by a cheerful and lively melody, was composed in the 18th cen…
99	12 Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman” (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		This work is Wolfgang Amadeus Mo—
100	BoleroMaurice Ravel		Ravel’s famous orchestral piece, rhythmic repetitions