There are many beautiful short pieces of classical music that are very relaxing and good for reflection, meditation, stress reduction, and enjoyment. Many of these works have tender melodies that are uplifting and touch that part where we are most vulnerable.
I grew up listening to classical music due to the fact that my mother was a classical pianist. As an adult I discovered many classical works on my own. I start my day listening to these pieces of music listed below, among others, each morning to energize my mind and spirit.
Reverie for Piano, L. 68
Claude Debussy (1862-1918) of France composed Reverie in 1890. He was a very popular and influential French composer. The work is a delicate piano piece which is charming, delightful, and beautiful. It is a dream like meditation with a rolling and flowing melody.
Nocturne – String Quartet No. 2, D major, Andante
The Andante movement of the Quartet is wonderful to listen to. It is a touching and tender melody which transitions into melancholic depths of feeling. It is Borodin’s most famous piece. Alexander Borodin (1833-1887) of Russia composed the Quartet in 1881. He was a romantic composer and influenced Liszt, Debussy, and Ravel.
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, 18th Variation
Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody is a highly popular romantic love theme that has been used in many movies. The 18th Variation is melodic, moving, dramatic, and passionate. It conveys a yearning intensity. Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) a Russian-American composed the Rhapsody in 1934. He left Russia after the Russian Revolution and became very popular in the U.S. as a concert pianist.
Adagio in G Minor
The famous Adagio is a tender, meditative piece with a subtle flowing melody. It is quite haunting. Tomaso Albinoni (1671-1751) was an Italian Baroque composers of operas, concertos, and sonatas.
The Swan
The Swan is a popular cello and piano piece that is part of the Carnival of Animals, Saint-Saens’ best known and most popular work. The song has become further popularized as the score for the famous Dying Swan solo ballet dance number by ballerinas Pavlova and Plisetskaya. Camile Saint-Saens (1835-1921) of France composed The Swan in 1886. He composed both Classical and Romantic styles of music. His pupils included composers Ravel, Faure, Gounod, and Bizet.
Liebestraum No. 3, in A-flat major
Liebestraum is a famous and popular romantic piano piece used in many movie soundtracks. It is a tender and passionate “Love Dream.” Franz Liszt (1811-188) of Hungary composed the work in 1850. Lizst was a leader in the romantic New School movement in music. He was one of the greatest concert pianists of all time and attained superstar status during his career. He promoted other composers such as Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Wagner, Berlioz, Saint-Saens, Grieg, Borodin, and others.
“Elvira Madigan” – Piano Concerto No. 2, C major, K 467, Andante
Breathtaking and beautiful, the Andante movement of the concerto is a dream-like, flowing melody with occasional passion and drama. The movement has been popularized in recent times as the theme song of the Swedish movie Elvira Madigan. Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) of Austria composed the work in 1785. Mozart is regarded as one of the greatest composers in history with more than 800 works. He was influenced by Bach, Haydn, and Handel. He had a major influence on Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Schumann, Brahms, and all other composers after him.
Standchen, D 889
Standchen is a lieder love song which is popular as a piece for piano and violin or cello. It has a haunting and melancholy tone with subtle drama. The song is a tender and flowing melody. Franz Schubert (1797-1828) of Austria composed the song in 1826. He is considered one of the greatest composers in history. His lieder songs and chamber music are very popular. Schubert was relatively unknown and he was popularized by Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Brahms, Dvorak, Berlioz, Strauss, and others.
Camille Thomas and Beatrice Berrut
