10 Best Classical Piano Music Ever Composed

By CMUSE - Apr 4, 2017

The piano existed for a few hundred years, for many people, the piano is the symbol of classical
music. From Bach’s compositions originally made for the harpsichord in the 18th century, through the
fortepianos of the classical era, all the way to the modern piano, classical piano music, and the
manner of composition for the piano, too, has evolved side by side with the instrument.

Read: How to Learn Classical Piano

Not many people know that the piano has only been considered a real instrument made for solo
performances or playing in ensembles, rather than just being a household instrument, since the
classical era – whereas music for string instruments or woodwinds has been composed ever since
they were invented.
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The almost impossibly large range of classical piano music may easily seem overwhelming at first, so
here’s a brief introduction to classical piano music with some suggestions for what could be worth
listening to:

1. Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor BWV 873

Bach was a genius in polyphonic music and his two books of Preludes and Fugues demonstrated the
harpsichord’s (which would later become a piano) ability to produce beautiful music in all 24 different
keys and still be possible to play for the keyboardist. The vibrantly racing Fugue provides a stark
contrast for the graceful melancholy of the rather slow Prelude.

2. Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite Op. 46 No. 1 – No. 1 ”The Morning Mood”
Surely most people recognize this familiar melody, which usually is performed by an orchestra,
immediately. However, the composer Edvard Grieg made several arrangements of the suite, including
one for solo piano. Compared to the orchestrated version, the piano arrangement provides a clearer
and more straightforward approach to the themes, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as now the
melodies and harmonies aren’t overshadowed by the orchestral texture.

3. Franz Liszt: Consolation in D flat major No. 3 S. 172

In all it’s simpleness, this piece of classical piano music could even be described as naive or boring
but the simple first impression should not blur the listener’s ears towards the gentle details and the
harmonic delight of Liszt’s. So instead of the technical aspects of this piece, the difficulties lie in the
expression and artistic views of each pianist. It is also known that Liszt was very fond of Chopin’s
music, the influence of which can be quite clearly distinguished between the lines in this piece.

4. Frederic Chopin: Waltz Op. 64 No. 1 – ”The Minute Waltz”

Chopin really liked composing for the piano: only a handful of his composition utilizes instruments
other than a piano – he could even be described as a trailblazer in the developments of classical
piano music. His insanely difficult Etudes have even been called ”The Pianist’s Bible” by some.
Although, that doesn’t mean his other works couldn’t pose a challenge for the pianist: the flowing
movement of the right hand throughout this piece is definitely not an easy piece of cake.

5. Frederic Chopin: Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major

Perhaps one of Chopin’s most renowned works, his second nocturne has seen many performances
and it’s even been utilized by the British rock band Muse in their three-part ”Exogenesis: Symphony”,
which is no wonder since it is undoubtedly a magically immersive piece that brings up emotions in
everyone.

6. Sergei Rachmaninoff: Prelude Op. 32 No. 5 in G major

This sweet and delicate Prelude by Sergei Rachmaninoff lets the listener fall into a deep state of
relaxation and picture an etheric landscape in front of them while the waves of the sea are rippling in
the background — maybe something like that. Rachmaninoff’s music is certainly not always very
descriptive and sometimes his music can even seem a bit aggressive, so a lullaby-like Prelude among
the brilliant and forceful pieces of Op. 32 temporarily really changes the mood.

7. Claude Debussy: Prelude No. 8 ”La fille aux cheveux de lin”

Debussy’s Preludes are an incredibly many-sided collection of compositions. The Eight Prelude, which’
name roughly translates to ”The Girl with the Flaxen Hair”, represents the more traditional side of
Debussy’s Preludes. Since his Preludes were completed in the early 20th century, most of the other
preludes reflect and utilize more avantgardist and modern compositional techniques. The beautiful
pentatonic elements and the fantastic clarity of every note create a short, yet very appreciated and
beautiful piece of music.

8. Claude Debussy: Arabesque No. 2

Perhaps not as renowned as the first Arabesque, but nevertheless the second Arabesque definitely
belongs in the category of most beautiful classical piano music ever composed. Playful, vibrant,
twinkling, and imaginary melodies and motifs of this early work by Claude Debussy give the listeners
a glimpse into what would later become characteristic of Debussy: pentatonic motifs and technical
quirks among other impressionist features.

9. Jean Sibelius: Romance Op. 24 No. 9 in D-flat Major

Sibelius has been called the national composer of Finland and is maybe the best example of national
romantic composers. Sibelius’ music reflects the picturesque, unique nordic nature of Finland and he
composed many different suites and other works with titles or subjects that were nature-related.
Sibelius’ piano music is maybe not as well known as his orchestral works, but they are no less
impressive or elegant. Sibelius manages to capture the rollercoaster-like side of romances
exceptionally well.

10. Maurice Ravel: Sonatine

The first movement of Ravel’s Sonatine was originally composed for a composition contest and the
second and the third movements were composed over two years later. The bad success in the
competition didn’t stop this piece from becoming one of Ravel’s best piano compositions. The first
movement is in a relatively loose sonata form and it introduces nearly all thematic material which is
also used in the two other movements, which of the third shows magnificent talent in composing.
Ravel was one of the most influential and appreciated impressionists along with Debussy.
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