Classical Music for Summer: A Selection of Cool and Refreshing Masterpieces

Symphony No. 3, Movement IGustav Mahler

Mahler: Symphony No. 3, Movement I (Inbal)

Mahler built a small “composing hut” on the shores of Lake Attersee in Steinbach, where he enjoyed his summer holidays by composing in the mornings and taking walks in the afternoons.

He captured that beautiful nature in his Symphony No.

3.

The Third Symphony once bore the title “A Summer Morning’s Dream” and was even listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest symphony in the world.

3 Preludes, Op. 56: No. 2. SummerHenning Mankell

3 Preludes, Op. 56: No. 2. Summer

Henning Mankell, known as a Swedish author.

Here is a piece composed by his grandfather, who had the same name, Henning Mankell.

You might call it a hidden gem; Mankell’s music wasn’t much highlighted after it was written, but pianist Anna Christensson was captivated by its brilliance and made this recording.

This majestic piano work, which evokes the Swedish landscape, makes you feel as if you’ve traveled to the northern lands.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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AsturiasIsaac Albéniz

Ana Vidovic plays Asturias by Isaac Albéniz on a Jim Redgate classical guitar

Isaac Albéniz is one of Spain’s greatest composers, renowned for works rooted in Spanish folk music, and he left us with many masterpieces.

Among his pieces, the one that’s especially perfect for summer is Asturias.

It’s one of his signature piano works, often performed on Spanish guitar.

Though you might expect fiery passion, its weighty, darker tone evokes the melancholic feeling of a summer sunset.

How about listening to this piece while watching the summer sun go down, a bitter coffee in hand?

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Ryo

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Concierto de Aranjuez, Second MovementJoaquín Rodrigo

Adagio (2nd movement) from the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo

Aranjuez, which has the Spanish royal family’s summer palace, lies about 50 km south of Madrid and is famous for its beautiful gardens.

The blind composer Rodrigo set his Concierto de Aranjuez for classical guitar here.

Lamenting the damage the ancient city of Aranjuez suffered during the Spanish Civil War, he composed the work as a prayer for peace.

The Last Rose of SummerJohn Andrew Stevenson

Stevenson: The Last Rose Of Summer (Arr. Jessica Wells)

This is “The Last Rose of Summer,” a work by the Irish composer John Andrew Stevenson, who was active in the 18th century.

John Andrew Stevenson set accompaniment to a poem by the poet Thomas Moore and arranged it as a song to the melody of the Irish folk tune “The Groves of Blarney.” It is a distinctive piece featuring the Celtic instrument, the bagpipes.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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The Seasons: SummerJohn Cage

Cage: The Seasons: Summer

This is “The Seasons: Summer” by John Cage, an American experimental musician and mushroom researcher, best known for the emblematic work of doing nothing for four and a half minutes, “4’33”.” It’s said that even Joe Hisaishi was influenced by him.

With a minimal musical style, it expresses his vision of summer.

Its somewhat cool and lonely atmosphere is deeply moving.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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String Quartet No. 7, ‘Summer Eaves’: IV. AdagioJohn McCabe

String Quartet No. 7, ‘Summer Eaves’: IV. Adagio

This is the piece “String Quartet No.

7, ‘Summer Eaves’: IV.

Adagio” by the British contemporary composer John McCabe.

It’s included on the album Into The Ravine.

The strings play ominous harmonies, don’t they? It’s a work whose damp, gloomy atmosphere becomes oddly addictive.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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