[Piano] Classic masterpieces you’ll want to listen to and play in winter

Nocturne No. 19 in E minor, Op. 72 No. 1, “Posthumous”Frederic Chopin

Chopin – Nocturne no. 19 in E minor, op. posth. 72 no. 1 – Takagi Ryoma

Composed around 1827, this nocturne is imbued with a depth of melancholy that seems far beyond the work of a mere seventeen-year-old.

The left hand’s unceasing triplet arpeggios convey the tremors of the heart, while the simple, plaintive melody in the right hand gently voices feelings kept hidden within.

Although the piece begins in E minor, it is notable for closing quietly in a warm major key, suggesting a calm solace after tears.

It was also used in the TV drama Fringe.

It’s a piece that accompanies those moods when you want to spend a sentimental night in quiet contemplation.

Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major, K. 332 (K6. 300k), No. 2Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

W.A.Mozart – Piano Sonata No.12 in F major, K.332 (2nd movement)

In the blink of an eye, a wonderful melody rushes to your ears—this is a refreshing piano sonata by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Completed in 1783 when he returned to Salzburg with his wife Constanze, it is a masterpiece memorably featured in the film Immortal Beloved.

The bright and dynamic first movement, the graceful and delicate second movement, and the light, sprightly third movement each distill their own allure.

Brimming with expressive richness, this work lets you savor Mozart’s uniquely beautiful melodies and harmonies.

It’s a perfect choice for those who want to relish the essence of piano performance or experience the splendor of classical music.

Sonatine in F-sharp minor, M. 40 — I. ModeratoMaurice Ravel

Sonatina, M. 40: I. Moderato

A work by Maurice Ravel in which a delicate, glass-like beauty gleams within the plaintive resonance of F-sharp minor.

Woven with rich harmonies within a classical framework, the piece achieves an exquisite balance between quiet melody and intricate ornamentation, revealing Ravel’s perfectionist side.

Officially published in November 1905, it was later choreographed as a ballet as well, allowing its fragile musical world to be expressed in various forms.

With a character that seems to console a sorrowful heart, it’s recommended for moments when you wish to gaze quietly at your innermost feelings.

You might also find it rewarding to surrender yourself to its architectural beauty.

Sonatine in F-sharp minor, M. 40: II. MenuetMaurice Ravel

Sonatine, M. 40: II. Mouvement de Menuet

A piece I recommend for times when you want to quietly face your inner self is one from Maurice Ravel’s piano work Sonatine.

While it takes the elegant form of a classical minuet, this movement blends a hidden melancholy with refined sonorities, making it exquisitely beautiful.

As you listen to the melody, you can almost see a scene that maintains dignified grace even amid sorrow.

The work as a whole, including this piece, was choreographed as a ballet in 1975, and its narrative quality stimulates the listener’s imagination.

Rather than stirring intense emotions, it will surely stay close to your heart when you wish to surrender yourself gently to the piano’s delicate timbre.

Gaspard of the Night, M. 55: II. The GallowsMaurice Ravel

Gaspard of the Night, M. 55: II. The Gallows

One of the pieces from Maurice Ravel’s 1908 piano suite Gaspard de la nuit, it sonically depicts the desolate scene portrayed in the poetry of Aloysius Bertrand.

A defining feature of this work is the relentless repetition of the same note—symbolizing a distant tolling bell—more than 150 times from beginning to end.

Over this monotonous resonance, eerie harmonies accumulate, drawing the listener into a meditative world dominated by the stillness of death.

For performers, maintaining strict tempo and a delicate balance of sonorities is essential; otherwise, the work’s overwhelming gloom may be compromised—making it a formidable challenge.

It is frequently programmed in competitions.

Consider listening to it when you wish to encounter the quiet beauty that lies at the depths of sorrow.

Six Pieces: “Nocturnes”Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky: Six Pieces “Nocturne” [41_Dark and Sad Classical Piano Piece with Score and Commentary]

It is an introspective piece, fitting for the stillness of night, included in the album “Six Pieces, Op.

19.” The work envelops the listener in a warm yet sentimental atmosphere, as if overhearing the composer’s personal confession.

Completed in the autumn of 1873, it is striking for the bell-like sonorities—reminiscent of ballet music—that accent the tear-inducing, beautiful melody.

There is also an arrangement for cello and small orchestra, offering a different, deeper emotional resonance from the original.

A masterpiece perfect for a night of quietly dwelling in sorrow and conversing with your own heart.

dreamClaude Debussy

Debussy 'Reverie' Haneda Kentaro

Composed in 1890 by the French composer Claude Debussy, the allure of this piece lies in its gentle, dreamlike sonorities.

Structured in an A–B–A ternary form, it features a singing melody that flows over beautiful arpeggiated accompaniment.

In the middle section, chorale-like harmonies appear, offering a dramatic character before returning to tranquility.

The work’s tonality is ambiguous, and its soft, fade-out ending leaves a dreamy afterglow.

It is recommended for those seeking peace of mind on a hot summer day or for anyone who wants to enjoy the rich colors of Impressionist music.

With a performance time of about four minutes, it’s an ideal piece for a relaxing moment.