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

Water Music: HornpipeGeorg Friedrich Händel

Handel Water Music Hornpipe

There is an orchestral suite by George Frideric Handel written to adorn a royal river outing, and one of its pieces combines a refreshing coolness with festive brilliance that suits summer perfectly.

At its premiere on the Thames in July 1717, it captivated audiences so much that King George I reportedly ordered multiple encores.

With trumpets and horns in lively motion, it lifts listeners into a bright, celebratory mood.

It’s also known for coloring a scene in the film Dead Poets Society.

For those seeking a brisk, invigorating moment on muggy days, or anyone who wants to enjoy the majestic yet light charm of Baroque music with ease, this piece is just the thing.

At the seaside at nightHeino Kasuki

Kaski: By the Seaside at Night, Op. 34-1

How about a short piano piece that seems to turn the shimmering specks of light along a Nordic night shore into sound? This Finnish work lets the piano’s high register ring with clarity, making you feel as if you’re gazing at twinkling stars in the night sky.

Its allure stands out in the recording left by pianist Izumi Tateno in April 1999, where the delicate tones seep deep into the heart.

The piece’s gentle, dreamlike melody—its hallmark—will help you forget the swelter of summer.

Recommended for those who wish to spend a cool, tranquil moment, listening to beautiful piano sonorities in the stillness.

Symphonic Poem “La Mer” — From Three Symphonic Sketches, II. “Play of the Waves”Claude Debussy

Debussy: La mer, three symphonic sketches — Play of the Waves [Naxos Classical Curations #Fantasy]

An orchestral piece composed by Claude Debussy, it feels like a scene cut from the sea.

The lightly bouncing melodies woven by the strings and woodwinds vividly evoke sunlit, glittering waves and the playful motion of the surf.

Simply listening makes you feel as if a cool sea breeze were brushing your cheeks.

The cover of the first edition featured a ukiyo-e print by Katsushika Hokusai.

While its 1905 premiere received mixed reactions, a 1908 performance conducted by the composer himself earned high acclaim.

The sonorities of this work are said to have influenced later pieces, including the film Jaws.

It is recommended for those seeking a refreshing experience in the hot season or anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a richly colored world of sound.

The Symphonic Poem ‘The Moldau’Bedřich Smetana

Smetana ~ Moldau

This symphonic poem by the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana vividly portrays the majestic journey of a river through music.

It begins with the shimmering of two springs depicted by flute and clarinet, gradually swelling into a broad current that reflects the bustle of a peasant wedding and a fantastical scene of fairies dancing under the moonlight.

The river’s stately flow through the ancient city of Prague is so grand that it’s unforgettable after a single hearing.

A movement from the renowned symphonic cycle Má vlast, this work was composed in 1874 as Smetana was losing his hearing, and its beautiful melodies have captivated many listeners.

It has been widely cherished and used in films such as The Tree of Life.

It’s a perfect piece for those seeking a refreshing mood on a summer day or anyone who wants to immerse themselves in richly pictorial orchestral music.

Bergamasque Suite No. 1: PreludeClaude Debussy

Debussy / Suite bergamasque: 1. Prélude / Performed by Ichiro Kaneko

Although the third piece, Clair de lune, is by far the most famous from Claude Debussy’s Suite bergamasque, the subject here is the first piece, Prélude.

Characteristic of Debussy—sometimes called the “painter of the piano”—its richly colored melodies evoke painterly imagery and are exquisitely beautiful.

True to its title, the emotionally charged development that hints at the beginning of something makes it a fitting choice even for the heat of summer.

Rather than being a tightly balanced, meticulously constructed work, it bears the indication of a free tempo, so the atmosphere can vary with each performer’s sensibility.

With that in mind, I recommend listening to performances by multiple pianists.

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Suite ‘Mirrors’: A Boat on the OceanClaude Debussy

Ravel: Suite “Miroirs”: A Boat on the Ocean

How about a piano piece that carries a cool breeze on a summer afternoon? The opening movement of Claude Debussy’s Petite Suite for piano four hands offers a gentle, beautiful melody that evokes a small boat gliding gracefully across the water and sinks deep into the heart.

Sparkling light and the rippling of water seem to come into view, as if enjoying an Impressionist painting rendered in sound.

First performed in February 1889 in a piano four-hands rendition with the composer himself participating, the work is said to have been influenced by the poetry of Paul Verlaine.

It was later arranged for orchestra in 1907, which has its own distinct charm.

Rich in poetic atmosphere that helps you forget the heat, this piece is perfect for those who wish to enjoy music quietly or add a beautiful accent to everyday life.

The gentle resonance of the piano is sure to bring a most pleasant time.

Daylight saving timeGeorge Gershwin

George Gershwin – Summertime

It’s a piece whose very title evokes the feeling of summer.

George Gershwin is one of America’s foremost composers, and this song became famous as the lullaby sung by the heroine, Bess, in the opera Porgy and Bess, premiered in the United States in 1935.

Gershwin wrote many works that fuse jazz and classical music, and this piece clearly reflects that blend.

With over 2,600 covers, many listeners will likely recognize it after a single hearing.

The video introduced here features a solo piano performance, but there are countless arrangements—find the one you like and give it a listen.