[Piano] Piano Pieces to Enjoy in the Hot Summer: A Selection of Refreshing Classical Works
In Japan’s sweltering summer, the oppressive heat wears down both body and mind.
Indoors is muggy, outdoors is scorching, and all motivation seems to vanish.
That’s why we recommend enjoying refreshing piano music for the summer! Here, we’ve carefully selected piano masterpieces from cool, calming classical works that will make you forget the heat.
We can’t control the temperature, but listening to beautiful music can lift your spirits.
Using the pieces we introduce as a guide, pick a few favorites and create a “Beat-the-Heat Summer Playlist” before the hot season arrives!
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[Piano] Piano pieces to enjoy in the hot summer! A curated selection of refreshing classical works (21–30)
Play of WaterMaurice Ravel
Even just the Japanese title “Mizu no Tawamure” (Play of Water) evokes a wonderfully cool atmosphere! Known as a demanding piece that requires advanced technique, Ravel’s “Jeux d’eau” was composed in 1901 by the French composer Maurice Ravel and dedicated to his teacher, Gabriel Fauré.
The original title, Jeux d’eau, means “fountain,” and it conveys a sense of finding beauty in the orderly, human-controlled movements of water.
Since it depicts the sound of water, the touch is remarkably light—helped by abundant arpeggios—and despite employing bold dissonances for its time, it never loses its beautiful sonority, which truly shows the mark of a genius.
Please enjoy the beautiful water-like timbres that seem to soothe the heat of midsummer.
The Seasons, 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op. 37bis: July – Song of the ReaperPyotr Tchaikovsky
There are many classical pieces themed around the four seasons, but this “The Seasons” is a set of piano works by the great Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, depicting scenes from Russian life from January through December.
In keeping with the theme of this article, we are focusing on July’s piece, “Song of the Reapers.” The most famous of the twelve is June’s “Barcarolle,” but “Song of the Reapers” stands out in the set for its lively, bright character, vividly portraying the energetic figures of people mowing the fields.
Rather than cooling you down, it’s recommended for those who want to start their day energetically under the hot sun!
Midsummer NocturneAaron Copland
Aaron Copland is one of the composers who represent 20th-century America.
Born in 1900, he studied under the renowned composer Rubin Goldmark by the age of 16.
One of Copland’s classical pieces themed around summer is Midsummer Nocturne.
Known in Japanese as “Manatsu no Yasōkyoku,” it is a gently expressive piano work that evokes the atmosphere of a summer night.
A must-hear for those who love dreamy melodies—be sure to check it out.
Video, Episode 1: Reflections of WaterClaude Debussy
The shimmering glints of light reflected on a beautifully rippling water surface… What a lovely piece that evokes cinematic and painterly imagery.
As a classical piano work themed on water, let me introduce Claude Debussy’s Reflections in the Water, known alongside Maurice Ravel’s Jeux d’eau and Franz Liszt’s The Fountains of Villa d’Este, from which it draws direct influence.
Published in the piano collection Images, Book I, this piece presents a sound world born through the composer’s delicate sensibility, offering a perspective different from Jeux d’eau, which focuses on the movement of water itself, and it even seems to soften the force of the hot sun.
Since it’s a Debussy piece, known for its free compositional approach that departs from classical conventions, even those who find strictly traditional classical music a bit daunting should definitely give it a listen!
Gaspard of the Night, No. 1: OndineMaurice Ravel
If you’re well-versed in French literature, the title Gaspard de la nuit might remind you of the poetry collection by Louis Bertrand, born in 19th-century France.
The work discussed here, however, is Maurice Ravel’s suite for solo piano of the same name, which was indeed inspired by three poems included in Bertrand’s collection.
Of the three pieces, let’s introduce the first, Ondine, as it suits the theme of music to hear in the hot summer.
“Ondine” is the name of the water spirit among the four classical elemental spirits, and in Japan the name “Undine” may be more familiar.
When it comes to Ravel’s water-themed piano works, one might think of Jeux d’eau, but this Ondine is a piece you should definitely know.
It depicts the story of Ondine, who falls in love with a human, and—through Ravel’s characteristic, highly sophisticated technique—delicately yet dramatically expresses both the emotions of the spirit whose love is unfulfilled and the image of pouring, torrential rain.