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Boost brain power and focus with classical music from Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi & more!
Need some calming, blissful music to ease your road rage or get you through a long train journey? Look no further, Classical Commute is here to ease the stress of rush hour travel.
Let the music be your guide as you whip up your next culinary fete. Whether you are an experienced chef, foodie, or professional taste tester.
Relax yourself to sleep with soothing melodies from Chopin, Shostakovich, and more.
Boost your brainpower with Bach, Vivaldi, and more.
A playlist of Classical music to help those working on deadlines to focus and be productive!
The perfect playlist to accompany any book. So grab that new book you just got, get cozy in your favorite reading spot, press play and enjoy!
Whether you need a soundtrack for your weightlifting session, workout, or just need something to pump you up for the day ahead, get inspired with this epic playlist; designed to motivate and empower
Hits from your favorite video games: Legend of Zelda, Halo, Final Fantasy, Call of Duty, Guild Wars.
Give your kids the gift of classical music. Classical Music for Kids is full of the most recognizable and fun classical music. Perfect for that long drive or for entertaining at home on the weekend.
Roses are red, violets are blue, what better way to show your love than with some classical tunes. Here's a romantic playlist to set the mood for you and your sweetheart.
Classical Music to help you concentrate and stay focused during your most intense studying sessions.
Find your zen place with some of the most relaxing classical music available.
The ultimate collection of classical tracks to keep you motivated on your run whether you're racing or just out for a leisurely jog!
Free your mind with this collection of tranquil songs perfect for your daily yoga practice or meditation.
Set yourself up for a long night of sleep with classical music from Bach, Brahms, Chopin, Max Richter, Philip Glass, and more! Sleep tight!
You may be on the clock, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some beautiful music. This selection of classical music is designed to boost your productivity--so no matter what you're working on, we've got your soundtrack covered. If you like this playlist
The perfect playlist to accompany any book. So grab that new book you just got, get cozy in your favorite reading spot, press play and enjoy!
Naxos brings you a calming collection of pieces for when you need to reflect and meditate
The world can be a busy and unforgiving place. Whether you’re letting go of the day or just taking a little break, this classical mix will help guide you toward a more balanced, relaxed state of mind. Breathe deep, unwind, rest, and return. These selections are regularly updated by our classical editors. If you like a piece, add it to your library.
Chill out and let your mind wander with this soothing collection of Classical Music.
The ultimate collection of classical tracks to keep you motivated on your run whether you're racing or just out for a leisurely jog!
Drift off to peaceful slumber with these light and airy pieces from Barenboim, Argerich, and more.
Boost brain power and focus with classical music from Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi & more!
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Apresentando algumas das melhores músicas clássicas de Lisboa, Portugal.
Featuring some of the best classical music from London, England.
Featuring some of the best classical music from Moscow, Russia.
Featuring the some of the best classical music from the city of lights; Paris, France!
Featuring some of the best classical music from Venice, Italy.
Featuring some of the best classical music from Vienna, Austria.
A gift from the Romantic heart of Mother Russia -- music to nourish and comfort the heart.
A romantic, relaxing and rejuvenating journey to sunny Italy.
A Relaxing And Rejuvenating Trip To The beautiful English Countryside.
The definitive guide to some of the greatest American composers in history.
A collection of music from Nordic composers and performers!
3 & ½ hours of atmospheric English music from the time of William Shakespeare. A delightful mix of Songs, Consort and Keyboard music by the Bard’s musical contemporaries including Dowland, Gibbons, Byrd and Tallis.
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A song for every key on the piano. 99 SONGS
A 50-track collection of the best brass band pieces in classical music, from Fanfares For The Common Men, to dozens of brilliant 20/21 century works in the ever expanding repertoire.
The best classical music for flute, featuring sonatas, concertos and solo works by Mozart, Poulenc, Bach, Debussy, Nielsen, Faure, Vivaldi, Donizetti and Martinu.
The best classical music for classical guitar, featuring sonatas, concertos and solo works by Rodrigo, Reich and Vivaldi, performances from Julian Bream, Segovia & John Williams.
Put the cello front and center and your problems behind you.
Instrumental acoustic guitar renditions of the Christmas songs you love.
A chronological collection of 60 magnificent symphonies, by 60 composers. The grand tour takes you through the symphony's entire history from late 18th century to the modern age, with many stops at monuments of classical and romantic eras.
From classical to klezmer, the most beautiful music for this versatile wind instrument.
50 brilliant pieces written or arranged for classical guitar, performed by 50 distinctive guitarists.
Classical music reworked by contemporary musicians, who made clever deconstructive use of the material to create soothing and graceful electronic/ambient works.
The relationship between classical and electronic music dates as far back as the ’30s, when composers started weaving then-new instruments like the ondes martenot into the fabric of the orchestra. It didn’t just broaden music’s sonic palette, but also the ways in which music could be composed—ideas that were further explored by experimental composers such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich in the ’60s. Since then, the boundary between classical and electronic has become fully porous, giving rise to a style of composition that bridges electro and acoustic, tradition and possibility. These pieces, which we refresh regularly, offer a cross section of where we are now.
Fifty tracks of classic and lesser known electroacoustic music, from early experiments to modern developments. Works by Pierre Schaeffer, Stockhausen, Luc Ferrari, Morton Subotnick and Daphne Oram.
A collection of the most beautiful and tranquil slow movements in 50 symphonic works with prominent piano parts, from 50 composers, performed by 50 distinctive pianists.
Step into the dreamy world of classical harp with these great tunes.
Maybe it's just the instrument's range or the conversational aspect of playing with two hands, but the piano has always been uniquely effective at conveying subtler, more intimate moods. From études and variations to deep, ruminative nocturnes, here's a set of piano music to keep you company when you mostly feel like being alone.
The latest installment of the Need to Know series focuses on the versatile violin which is used in pretty much every genre of music from classical to hip hop. This playlist includes some of the greatest works ever written for violin.
The human voice is the organ of the soul. This collection, featuring 50 tracks from 50 living composers, demonstrates that with dazzling beauty and profound spirituality. Explore choral works from Arvo Pärt, Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, and many more.
Unwind to these calm acoustic guitar pieces.
100 best pieces for unaccompanied piano(s), played by some of the most brilliant pianists in modern recording era. From the most familiar masterpieces, to many little known gems.
Piano music handpicked for relaxation.
An introduction to the greatest piano masterpieces of all time. Cover_Alexandre Tharaud
Piano arrangements that help you to discover new nuances and sonorities in orchestral and chamber music masterpieces.
Listen to these variations for piano in their entirety, and see endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful evolved from simple themes, in the hands of great composers.
Let the sweet sound of violins wash over you with these great tracks by the world's best players.
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A collection of hauntingly beautiful slow movements from 50 symphonies, that are known for their sweeping melodic themes, and passionate melancholy.
Best Choral Masterpieces
Sweet piano music
A collection of glorious piano tracks. Sit back, relax, and listen.
Need some soothing music for your chill workout routine? From Yoga, to Barre, to stretching, this playlist will make it a truly enjoyable way to get in shape!
Few sounds are quite as comforting as the human voice. From ancient hymn to contemporary song, alone or stacked in harmony, these relaxing compositions demonstrate both the human voice's range and its unique intimacy—the feeling of companionship one gets just from knowing there's a person on the other end.
Instrumental acoustic guitar renditions of the Christmas songs you love.
A chronological collection of 60 magnificent symphonies, by 60 composers. The grand tour takes you through the symphony's entire history from late 18th century to the modern age, with many stops at monuments of classical and romantic eras.
A collection of 50 overwhelmingly sad yet captivating classical pieces that take you to a journey into the heart of darkness
50 best tracks from genre-bending musicians that incorporate tradition into their own music languages.
Relax yourself to sleep with soothing melodies from Chopin, Shostakovich, and more.
Chill out & relax with some of the classical greats, including Mendelssohn, Chopin, Debussy, Beethoven, and Satie.
The best classical compositions to ease you through your day.
Boost your brainpower with Bach, Vivaldi, and more.
A playlist of Classical music to help those working on deadlines to focus and be productive!
We've gathered together some of the best classical piano music to help you concentrate and focus on your work, including works by Mozart, Haydn, Bach and Schumann.
Roses are red, violets are blue, what better way to show your love than with some classical tunes. Here's a romantic playlist to set the mood for you and your sweetheart.
Sick of all the lovebirds in the air this month? Drown out the sound of their fluttering wings with this playlist of clasical music made for those who are not so lucky in love
101 tracks of calm classical music to get you through the night.
A collection of the most beautiful and tranquil slow movements in 50 symphonic works with prominent piano parts, from 50 composers, performed by 50 distinctive pianists.
Get happy with Happy Classical! With several hours of some of the most joyful, uplifting, and upbeat music, you can't help but smile!
Your soundtrack to focus
Naxos and its affiliated labels lead the classical music field in terms of the number and range of their new monthly releases. Klaus Heymann, the founding chairman of Naxos, makes his preferred pick from the latest monthly crop, and our playlist includes sample tracks from his selected recordings.
Tenderly loving and baby-friendly classical music that's perfect for bedtime listening, from the most famous (Brahms' lullaby, Debussy's Clair de lune) to dozens of lesser known gems.
Help put your little one at ease and drifting happily off into dreamland with this perfect playlist of classical music.
Find your zen place with some of the most relaxing classical music available.
Maybe it's just the instrument's range or the conversational aspect of playing with two hands, but the piano has always been uniquely effective at conveying subtler, more intimate moods. From études and variations to deep, ruminative nocturnes, here's a set of piano music to keep you company when you mostly feel like being alone.
Take a moment to observe your thoughts, reflect, and be mindful. If you find yourself needing to refocus and realign, take a timeout with unCLASSIFIED and let these calming classical music tracks help you to find your center.
The ultimate collection of classical tracks to keep you motivated on your run whether you're racing or just out for a leisurely jog!
The human voice is the organ of the soul. This collection, featuring 50 tracks from 50 living composers, demonstrates that with dazzling beauty and profound spirituality. Explore choral works from Arvo Pärt, Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, and many more.
Unwind to these calm acoustic guitar pieces.
Set yourself up for a long night of sleep with classical music from Bach, Brahms, Chopin, Max Richter, Philip Glass, and more! Sleep tight!
Piano music handpicked for relaxation.
You may be on the clock, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some beautiful music. This selection of classical music is designed to boost your productivity--so no matter what you're working on, we've got your soundtrack covered. If you like this playlist
50 contemporary classical pieces that, under their extremely slow and spare surface, evoke a colossal sense of space and time, where intimate beauty arises in unexpected moments and forms.
Naxos brings you a calming collection of pieces for when you need to reflect and meditate
The world can be a busy and unforgiving place. Whether you’re letting go of the day or just taking a little break, this classical mix will help guide you toward a more balanced, relaxed state of mind. Breathe deep, unwind, rest, and return. These selections are regularly updated by our classical editors. If you like a piece, add it to your library.
Feeling frazzled at the end of a long day? Need a break from the daily grind? Grab a comfy spot on the couch and chill out with some serene classical music.
| Periods | VIEW ALL |
Featuring the best pieces of the Renaissance period.
Baroque music tends to be known for its clarity and concision: Think Pachelbel and Purcell, or J.S. Bach. Spanning the 17th century through the beginning of the Classical era around the mid-1700s, the compositions here also chart the emergence of forms like the concerto, sonata, and oratorio.
Discover all the trasures of the Baroque area.
Though he started composing during the Classical era, Beethoven is probably best remembered as a proto-Romantic, a composer who broadened the emotional range of Western music. Lyrical, demonstrative, even a little tempestuous, the works here (produced between the late 18th century and the early 20th) signal a shift toward expressivity that changed composition forever, culminating in the radical revisions of Modernism.
Classical music from the classical era. Light, clear and beautiful. Music by Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn. The sons of J.S Bach. Schubert and Salieri.
50 splendid recordings of historically informed performance, which uses both period instruments and performance practice, in order to present music works faithfully, in the style of the era when the piece was originally conceived.
Travel through the evolution of the Renaissance sound with this collection of choral and instrumental classics.
50 outstanding pieces from the repertoire of concert band (also called wind ensemble, symphonic band or wind symphony). From cornerstone works by Dvořák, Stravinsky, Grainger to new classics by John Corigliano, David Maslanka, Eric Whitacre, and many more.
Medieval music from early Gregorian chants to late Ars Nova. Secular troubadours and sacred choir music. Colorful, gothic and beautiful. Hear music by Wolkenstein, von Bingen, Machaut and Léonin.
Keep your finger on the pulse of the newest and most relevant music out there today by listening to some new and familiar contemporary composers and artists that blur the lines between classical and pop music.
Discover the Romantic Era through this mix of epic, emotion-filled music from Beethoven to Respighi.
Featuring the newest releases in Classical Music.
This 50-track collection takes you through a fascinating journey from the singular works of Schubert, Schumann and Chopin that defined the era, to the last masterpiece of late romanticism composed after WWII, Strauss' Four Last Songs. For operas from this era, see this playlist.
If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die. Listen to music inspired by some of William Shakespeare's greatest works like Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Otello, & Henry V.
3 & ½ hours of atmospheric English music from the time of William Shakespeare. A delightful mix of Songs, Consort and Keyboard music by the Bard’s musical contemporaries including Dowland, Gibbons, Byrd and Tallis.
| Repertoire | VIEW ALL |
A collection of inspirational English Christmas music with a focus on the magical spirit of the holiday season.
With this playlist, EVERY day is Star Wars Day! So celebrate with this epic playlist of iconic music from Star Wars and John Williams.
Calling all Janeites! Immerse yourself in the world of Jane Austen with music that might have been played in the homes of this most legendary literary figure and her characters.
All ancient sciences, including medicine, were ultimately based on balancing and harmonizing the Four or Five Elements or basic components of Nature (Earth, Water, Air, Fire, and Aether) first within themselves and then, in the world around them.
The burnished, golden sound of the viola could be almost as dark as the cello, or as lyrical as the violin. This collection features most renowned players of the instrument, and 50 great pieces in which viola plays a prominent role. Cover: Yuri Bashmet.
Yes, you've heard at least part of The Four Seasons (whether you know it or not). But as expressive and iconic as that group of four concertos is, it represents only the tip of a rather large iceberg. This Italian Baroque composer (and violinist) brought his sprightly energy to hundreds of concertos, as well as dozens of operas and sonatas. Whether you listen to modern interpretations played on “period instruments” or indulge in modernized performance practices, you should seek out Vivaldi's characteristic strut (and gift for melody) in works for bassoon, cello, and sundry other instruments.
These charmingly profound modern works chart new territory in the art of the fugue.
60 best recorded and engineered classical recordings to test your headphones or speakers with. Enjoy your best seat in legendary concert halls and recording studios around the world.
Contemporary classics that provoke and challenge your perception of music. Features works from Xenakis, Stockhausen, Ligeti and Edgard Varèse.
50 women composers in 50 tracks. From early greats (Hildegard von Binge, Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn) to contemporary marvels: Jennifer Higdon, Julia Wolfe, Caroline Shaw, and more.
Smetana's Vltava, a portrait in music of the river that runs through the Czech Republic, is one of classical music's best-loved works, but it's only one movement of a set of six tone-poems gathered together as Má vlast ("my country") from the late 1870s. Spilling over with melody and painted with a fantastic array of orchestral colours, this is Smetana's masterpiece. His opera The Bartered Bride, with its popular overture, is a wonderful work, and his two string quartets are music of depth, the Second a harrowing evocation of a man losing his hearing.
Though he started composing during the Classical era, Beethoven is probably best remembered as a proto-Romantic, a composer who broadened the emotional range of Western music. Lyrical, demonstrative, even a little tempestuous, the works here (produced between the late 18th century and the early 20th) signal a shift toward expressivity that changed composition forever, culminating in the radical revisions of Modernism.
Treading his own path with single-minded determination, Bartók helped define a modern musical language with works like his opera Bluebeard's Castle, his Concerto for Orchestra, three piano concertos, and two violin concertos. His six-string quartets are perhaps the greatest cycle since Beethoven's. A superb pianist, he wrote numerous small works for the instrument (often with an educational purpose). He taught many generations of musicians, and his music has become central to the modern repertoire through its groundbreaking embrace of fierce rhythmic language and pungent Hungarian flavors.
With his gifts for memorable themes and adventurous orchestration, this composer brought British composition firmly into the 20th century. Balancing pastoral and sentimental moods with dark elegies, Britten's catalog eloquently demonstrates a wide emotional range. Fittingly, given his dramatic flair, he single-handedly gave English-language opera a boost in the global canon with works like Billy Budd, Death in Venice, and Peter Grimes. And The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra is a foundational piece for listeners of any age who want to get a handle on all the sections of a philharmonic.
Whether it's chamber music or concertos that excite you, you'll find them all here in music from Bach and Handel, Mozart, Strauss and many more.
Playing everything from villains, buffoons and romantic leads, baritones and basses are some of classical music's most flexible singers. Hear our selection of the best, from Kurt Moll to Bryn Terfel
The very best music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, including his piano concertos, operas, violin concertos, Masses, Requiem and chamber works, brought to you by Sinfini Music.
A playlist featuring the best of Ballet.
The very best classical opera arias, including music by Puccini, Handel, Verdi, Mozart, Donizetti, Rossini, Wagner, Tchaikovsky and Bizet, brought to you by Sinfini Music.
The very best music by Romantic composer Sergei Rachmaninov, including his piano concertos, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and his Vespers, brought to you by Sinfini Music.
The best classical music for string quartet, featuring music by Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms, Bartok, Tchaikovsky, Ives, Schubert, Debussy, Janacek and Shostakovich.
A collection of exquisite (sometime exotic) classical compositions that intimate birdsong, or inspired by birds, including Sibelius' Swan of Tuonela, Ravel's Oiseaux tristes (Sad Birds), Vaughan Williams' The Lark, and many more.
A collection of hauntingly beautiful slow movements from 50 symphonies, that are known for their sweeping melodic themes, and passionate melancholy.
This opera composer traveled the 18th-century classical circuit, taking up posts in Vienna and London. But the style Gluck loved most was the stately, old-school French tradition of tragédie lyrique, which he brought back into vogue with powerful works like Iphigénie en Tauride. The modern practice of employing countertenors to sing roles originally created for castrati has allowed new generations of listeners to luxuriate in the grave drama of Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice. Listen to conductors such as John Eliot Gardiner and singers on the level of Franco Fagioli interpret the composer.
Chill to the most familiar and cinematic classical pieces that appeared in memorable films, from the Mozart aria in Shawshank's Redemption, to the Mahler in Birdman. Most tracks are from the original soundtracks so you can find out which film was it from
Classical highlights, covering a wide range of composers, eras and styles. A great starting point for those who are new to the fascinating world of classical music.
When classical goes pop!
“A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction.” Stanley Kubrick.
Classical music reworked by contemporary musicians, who made clever deconstructive use of the material to create soothing and graceful electronic/ambient works.
“A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction.” Stanley Kubrick.
Celebrate the rich classical tradition of Nashville! Not just known for country music, see what really gives Music City, USA its name!
50 best tracks from genre-bending musicians that incorporate tradition into their own music languages.
The relationship between classical and electronic music dates as far back as the ’30s, when composers started weaving then-new instruments like the ondes martenot into the fabric of the orchestra. It didn’t just broaden music’s sonic palette, but also the ways in which music could be composed—ideas that were further explored by experimental composers such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich in the ’60s. Since then, the boundary between classical and electronic has become fully porous, giving rise to a style of composition that bridges electro and acoustic, tradition and possibility. These pieces, which we refresh regularly, offer a cross section of where we are now.
The gauzy, indistinct term “impressionism” is tossed around a lot with Debussy (not that he cared for it himself). So let's state things more clearly: this composer's appetite for new textures—and his skill with lush, harmony-stretching orchestrations—helped launch the 20th century in Western music. Popular with both lay audiences and specialists, his influence is still considerable: jazz players study the dissonances of the later Préludes, while the Nocturnes look ahead to some of Meredith Monk's orchestral work. And you can't get the decadent orchestra Notations of Pierre Boulez without Jeux. Be sure to go beyond La Mer to discover rich works like Debussy's opera Pelléas et Mélisande.
This Italian composer bridged the 16th and 17th centuries—the eras of madrigal songs and opera arias. He wrote nine books of the former, leaving his mark with harmonic ingenuity, and more than a dozen operas, only three of which survive. The horns that introduce 1607's L'Orfeo reveal the form's original purpose: pomp in celebration of the Gonzaga court. By 1642, opera was a popular medium, with sensuality taking center stage, as Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea demonstrates. (Courtly types also started to come in for some mockery.) Listen and discover the roots of classical song.
Although Shostakovich lived in constant fear of Stalin and his regime (his opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk was denounced by a now-infamous Communist Party editorial titled “Muddle Instead of Music"), the composer made a triumphant return to acceptance with the Fifth Symphony. His music runs the gamut, from the triumphant and public (Symphony No. 5), via the illustrative (No. 12, The Year 1917) to the sardonic (No. 15). His 15-string quartets offer a glimpse of his inner life like an emotional diary, and his 24 Preludes and Fugues display his virtuosity as a composer, paying homage to Bach. His music speaks with a directness and power that explains why he is one of the most performed 20th-century composers.
Domenico Scarlatti's passionate, stirring compositions spurred the transition from the Baroque style of contemporaries like Bach and Handel to the Classical era of Haydn and Mozart. The prolific composer's career spans 555 keyboard sonatas, which—along with his sinfonias and vocal works—possess an ageless charm that exudes both gravity and playfulness of spirit. This interplay is perfectly expressed as violins and harpsichords engage in rousing conversation, exploring the exciting possibilities of the binary and early sonata forms that Scarlatti sought to perfect.
The best classical compositions to ease you through your day.
Loved the world over for his music to Peer Gynt and his Piano Concerto, Grieg wrote melodies that capture the imagination and touch the heart. A fine pianist and inspiring conductor, he managed to fuse music that captured the Norwegian spirit with a truly international language; it made him a national hero. Apart from his "pops," he gave us a trio of wonderful violin sonatas, two fine string quartets, and a vast amount of piano music. And don't overlook his vocal music—he wrote some absolutely gorgeous songs.
Eric Whitacre went to college unable to read music and exited in 1995 prepared to begin a skyward career as a composer of gripping, kaleidoscopic works. His 2010 breakout LP, Light & Gold, was full of shimmering, subtle dissonances and brilliant clusters that sounded equal parts György Ligeti, Arvo Pärt, and Monteverdi (“Lux Aurumque,” “Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine”). Whether producing colorful arrangements of dark pop songs (“Hurt”) or cycles of bucolic troubadour repertoire (5 Hebrew Love Songs), Whitacre's precision is virtually unparalleled.
Some call Erik Satie the godfather of ambient music; however, he referred to his style as “furniture music,” or pieces that were meant to be played in the background. Perfect for any occasion, the French composer's work—built on the styles of the avant-garde French Impressionist masters Debussy and Ravel—features oscillating harmonies and delicate, improvisational melodies. From whimsical waltzes to melancholy piano studies—all the rage in Parisian homes and salons in the 1910s—his atmospheric compositions conjure a transcendent, timeless space.
Here's the perfect playlist for all of your Waltzing needs!
A classicist to the core, this composer helped reintroduce his contemporary German public to Bach's towering St. Matthew Passion. In addition to conducting and performing, Mendelssohn also helped usher in the era of the short symphonic drama, or tone poem. When combined with his mastery of earlier traditions, Mendelssohn's early Romantic desire to keep audiences entertained resulted in ever-popular works like the Violin Concerto in E Minor, which retains its appeal for audiences and virtuoso players alike.
The perfect playlist to accompany any book. So grab that new book you just got, get cozy in your favorite reading spot, press play and enjoy!
Hits from your favorite video games: Legend of Zelda, Halo, Final Fantasy, Call of Duty, Guild Wars.
Give your kids the gift of classical music. Classical Music for Kids is full of the most recognizable and fun classical music. Perfect for that long drive or for entertaining at home on the weekend.
A tasty classical piano selection made by Lang Lang for you, with love
Franz Liszt was a rock star of the 19th century, with his thrilling piano performances, long, swaying hair, and stirring compositions. An avid traveler and lover of art, the Hungarian pianist's rhapsodic works reflect an array of European ideals: the flowing lyricism of Italian vocal works, the sparkling, graceful arpeggios and voice leading of French music, and the rigor and drama of a more traditionally German style. These elements combine in visionary symphonic poems and profoundly tender—sometimes demonic—piano works that revolutionized the musical forms of the day.
Another of classical music's greats who died young, Schubert—who passed at age 31—saw himself as Beethoven's successor, leaving eight symphonies, string quartets, piano sonatas, choral works, and countless songs. His song cycles Die schöne Müllerin and Winterreise remain some of the greatest ever composed. His final year, 1828, haunted by death, saw him write some of his greatest music, including his sublime String Quintet and B flat Piano Sonata. Melody flowed out of him like the river that flows through Die schöne Müllerin. Float along with this selection of his great works.
From his teenage debut in Vienna to his premature death in 1849 in Paris, this Polish expatriate composer made his name on the piano. He was a virtuoso performer, a highly sought-after instructor to Parisian elite, and a composer whose body of preludes, etudes, and mazurkas are still a requirement for successive generations of prodigies. Soloists as distinct as Murray Perahia, Maurizio Pollini, and Yuja Wang have all had to grapple with Chopin's canon, which requires both formidable technical dexterity and delicate nuance.
Gabriel Fauré's music glows with inner light, and his gentle touch makes the Requiem of 1888 such a popular work. But there is so much more to Fauré: a host of glorious piano music (continuing a tradition from Chopin and Schumann), a body of songs that lift French poetry effortlessly into melody, and chamber music that will melt all but the hardest of hearts. As the head of the Paris Conservatoire from 1905 to 1920, Fauré oversaw the careers of numerous young composers, and he was a much-loved figure in French musical life. His is a musical voice that seems to reflect a deeply humane personality.
As a 19th-century composer of bel canto opera, Donizetti had to be skilled in comedic writing. (And he was; just look to the showstopping tenor-and-soprano delights of La fille du regiment.) they have become staples in contemporary opera houses. When surveying classic arias or digging into full acts from the operas, it's easy to appreciate Donizetti's dramatic sense; every key gesture feels perfectly placed.
During the Jazz Age, there were more than a few artistic go-betweens who cut paths from the club floor to the concert hall, carrying aspects of each tradition hither and yon. But no composer had as much respect in both scenes as Gershwin, whose vernacular-inflected symphonic works like “Rhapsody in Blue” have been lodestars for generations of conductors. (Bernstein cut a great “American in Paris” with the New York Philharmonic in his youth; Ludovic Morlot has followed that example early in his time with the Seattle Symphony.) Likewise, Gershwin's supposedly pop-side songs for the stage—such as tunes from Porgy and Bess—have spent decades in the jazz-standard songbook before coming back to the classical world as piano miniatures deserving of recitalists' attention.
Sadly, Georges Bizet died at 36, having never enjoyed a major success. He died three months after the premiere of Carmen, which was recieved with indifference. But after his death it was suddenly recognized for the masterpiece it is, and its performance history has been proof of Bizet's genius. The Pearl Fishers gave us one of the great operatic duets, made famous on a recording by Jussi Björling and Robert Merrill. Bizet's charming, youthful Symphony languished until 1935 for its premiere, and it's a delight, revealing the teenage composer's mastery of the orchestra.
Puccini brought about a revolution in verismo—or realism—in opera, putting real people (seamstresses, geishas, painters) on stage in situations that audiences could entirely identify with. His gift for glorious melodies immediately won him a huge following, and works like La bohème, Madama Butterfly, and Tosca are performed daily the world over. Over a rich, beautifully colored orchestral cushion of sound, Puccini unfurls some of the great melodies in classical music—"Nessun dorma" from his last opera, Turandot, is just one of many that guaranteed his immortality.
To be a master of either comic or opera singing would be sufficient for most composers, but this 19th-century Italian dynamo was excelled at both, resulting in some of the most enduring operatives of all time. The Barber of Seville and La Cenerentola have never been out of fashion; listening to the bouncy, boisterous stream of triplets in the former's "Largo al factotum" will suffice to explain why. And contemporary hunger for Rossini's more sparkling orchestra and vocal wit has led to revivals of his lesser-known French-period pieces, Le Comte Ory and Guillaume Tell.
This Italian composer crossed the wide stylistic divide between comic opera—with works such as La Serva Padrona—and church music, as with his Stabat mater, which influenced Bach. It was the audience-pleasing verve of his operas, however, that changed the course of classical music by mounting a challenge to the more lyric style of French comedy. (The debate in 18th-century French papers was dubbed the War of the Buffoons.) Today, all classical partisans can recognize the boisterous spirit of works like Pergolesi's Flute Concerto in G Major, as well as the winning charm of his dramas.
According to (apocryphal) legend, this Italian Renaissance composer helped save polyphonic vocal writing from a ban by the Council of Trent. What is clearly true, however, is that Palestrina's gorgeous melodic lines and clear harmonies showed how vocal writing could be complex and balanced, without obscuring the sacred nature of a text. His example has inspired untold numbers of composers, including Bach (who adapted portions of Missa sine nomine). And the late-20th-century “early music” boom provided us with sterling recordings of Palestrina by groups such as The Tallis Scholars.
As Chosen by Editor-in-Chief James Jolly
One of the best ways to start a fight among symphony lovers is to bring up the catalog of this Austrian, who connects the Late Romantic and early-modern eras. Is the rambunctious First Symphony his best? Or else the “tragic” Sixth? The towering “Symphony of a Thousand” (No. 8)? And then you have to pick a conductor. Some listeners require the hypertrophied expressiveness of Herbert von Karajan's interpretations; others prefer the clipped, severe approach of Pierre Boulez's readings. Perhaps because Mahler's music goes through such observable changes, no conductor has yet to pitch a perfect game when recording the entire cycle. So relax and start, well, anywhere! Pretty soon you'll be full of opinions too.
He wrote a piece for 100 metronomes (“Poeme Symphonique”), a comic-apocalyptic opera with a “Car Horn Prelude” (Le Grand Macabre), as well as jagged harpsichord pieces with titles like “Hungarian Rock.” Yes, your suspicions are correct: György Ligeti was one of the 20th century's most playful modernists. Bringing some much needed wit into the realm of the (usually) super-serious European avant-garde, his best works intrigue with their surprising textures while also entertaining on a visceral level. And Ligeti's influence is still felt today, not least through the music of composer Unsuk Chin, his onetime student.
This French Romantic figure pushed orchestration to new places in the 19th century—not least with his immortal Symphonie fantastique. Also considered one of the great conductors of his day, his music can be found in the repertoires of Berlioz's hybrid-talent successors (such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Thomas Adès and Pierre Boulez). Though it took some time for Berlioz's major opera, Les Troyens, to find a consistent place on the global stage, it is now acknowledged as a masterwork. The 21st century need for more Berlioz productions has even led the Metropolitan Opera to create a multimedia spectacle out of the composer's “légende dramatique", La damnation du Faust.
In the grand tradition of melancholic music, there may not be a more gloriously bummed-out sound than the work of this English master. An early genius of ostinati and the low end, his propulsive music has been an influence not just on his Baroque contemporaries, but also on Benjamin Britten and the American post-minimalist Nico Muhly (who arranged “Let the Night Perish” and incorporated Purcell's Psalm 102 into a symphonic work). Not surprisingly, Purcell's acrobatic, graceful writing for the voice has long enchanted top singers like Alfred Deller and Kathleen Battle.
Russian-born Igor Stravinsky was one of the most radical, innovative composers of all time, a genuine visionary who forged a new musical language with three of the most original works in the canon: The Firebird (1910), Petrushka (1911), and the riot-inducing The Rite of Spring (1913). His chameleonic nature led him through numerous styles but he always maintained his utterly unique musical voice. His influence on composers who followed was colossal: it's impossible to imagine 20th-century music without him. And you can recognize his music within a few seconds!
50 outstanding pieces from the repertoire of concert band (also called wind ensemble, symphonic band or wind symphony). From cornerstone works by Dvořák, Stravinsky, Grainger to new classics by John Corigliano, David Maslanka, Eric Whitacre, and many more.
Literature is a constant source of inspiration for classical music, providing plots, characters and themes for symphonies, operas and songs. Here are some of the greatest book-inspired works.
For many, Mozart is the greatest of all composers. The playful, mercurial genius, who died at 35, left over 600 works (including 41 symphonies, 27 piano concertos, 22 operas, numerous Mass settings, chamber music, piano sonatas, and songs), which reveal one of the most prodigious talents ever known in music. Classical in style, yet dipping deep into an innate feeling for the nature of humanity, Mozart gave us some of the most perfect and enduring music ever conceived. A child prodigy, he effortlessly blossomed into a creator-performer of renown before dying far too young in 1791. Explore the iconic and beloved music that makes him one of Western art's immortals.
Take a crash course in Classical music by listening to this ultimate playlist of the best and most revered classical music of all time.
A godfather of counterpoint and harmony, Bach dates from the Baroque period, though appreciation of his timeless music can't be contained by any era. You may have encountered the Goldberg Variations, the Brandenburg Concertos, or his two great Passions, but there's always more to discover in his vast output. There's always a new interpretive approach to cherish too, in the recordings of performers as diverse as Yo-Yo Ma, Glenn Gould, and Sir Simon Rattle. Whenever arch-modernists tire of complexity for its own sake, they go “Back to Bach” for a reason: the purposefulness of his every note is an inspiration.
Celebrate Jane Austen with this collection of soundtracks to tv/film adaptations of her novels, and some of her favourite classical pieces popular in Regency era.
Jazz musicians perform classical composer's works. Find out why Bach was great inspiration to many jazz masters, and enjoy imaginative renditions of Chopin, Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and more.
Few composers celebrated their homeland as passionately and powerfully as Jean Sibelius. His tone-poem Finlandia became an alternate Finnish national anthem, and his seven symphonies, written in a tonal and magnificently atmospheric language, take us on a searing voyage of the soul. From the Tchaikovskian first two, Sibelius refines and concentrates his language—passing through No. 5 with shattering power—to the short and intense No. 7. As well as shorter orchestral works, Sibelius is equally famed for his technically challenging Violin Concerto.
Born six years after Beethoven's death, and hailed by Schumann as a genius, Brahms continued the Germanic symphonic tradition at a time when Wagner was inventing a new musical and esthetic language. His four symphonies and four concertos (two for piano plus a Violin Concerto and one for violin and cello) are cornerstones of the repertoire, and fuse classical form with deep expression. A passionate admirer of Bach's music, Brahms wrote a lot of choral music including his very human A German Requiem. His chamber and piano music, as well as a large body of songs, make him one of the undisputed greats.
When you write a so-called “silent” piece like "4'33”," you might expect most people to remember you for that and only that. But there's so much more to Cage's radical (and very musical) output: his piano writings alone include the gorgeous “In a Landscape,” the jazzy “Ad Lib,” and the random-chance operations of the Music of Changes. The composer's writings on indeterminacy give today's interpreters license to plays works in a variety of ways, but sometimes the old-school Cage strategies work best—as with Third Coast Percussion's use of turntables during “Credo in US.”
An inspiration to Benjamin Britten and Elvis Costello alike, this English Renaissance composer is responsible for some of the most elegantly melancholic music ever composed. Over the years Dowland has attracted a wide variety of stylists, ranging from countertenor Alfred Deller to pop legend Sting. Dowland's catalog includes works for solo lute and unaccompanied voice (as well as blends of both). One of his most famous songs, “Flow My Tears," was a particularly fertile advance for the composer; he later based the multipart Lachrimae on its melody.
Sweet harmonies and a flowing sense of melodic invention distinguish this composer's church works (like Gloria and Requiem), as well as his carols and other vocal pieces. Whether he's composing a religious hymn or carrying on the tradition of British light orchestral music, John Rutter retains a nimble grip on the listener's heartstrings. This playlist collects distinguished performances of Rutter's key works by his group The Cambridge Singers and other ensembles.
The force of Haydn's muse led him to become one of the most prolific and celebrated composers of the Classical period. His restless nature drove him to create bubbling, yearning melodies and countermelodies that scramble skyward, pause to allow a momentary fanfare, and then twirl and scamper their way back down at a frenetic pace. To suit the needs of his volcanic compositions, he had to forge new ensembles—the string quartet, the piano trio—and offer a guiding hand in the development of the symphony as a musical form, just one happy by-product of a mind in constant motion.
Reviled by the critical establishment for responding to a market-led style of composition, Jenkins nonetheless delivers what his audience wants. Steadfastly tonal and melodic, his music makes few demands of its listeners, and simply works—not for nothing was he a successful composer of advertising music before moving into concert music. His Adiemus albums, which landed in 1995, put him on the map, tapping into a taste for an easy spirituality, and he has since achieved success with The Armed Man Mass (1999). This is music that regularly tops the classical charts.
Over his long career, German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen relentlessly pushed post-war classical music in radical new directions. Debuting as a serialist, Stockhausen quickly became known for his pioneering electronic works of the late '50s and early '60s. In the decades that followed, Stockhausen often mixed electronics into his orchestral and choral compositions—perhaps most notably in the series of seven operas he composed between 1977 and 2003. While always rigorously conceptual, Stockhausen's greatest music hits the listener as an overwhelming rush of otherworldly sound.
Born in 1933, Penderecki came to international attention in the late '50s with compositions like the Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima, still his most performed work, which was written while he was influenced by the atonality of Webern. His St. Luke Passion of 1966 further established him as a major voice with its powerful religious message couched in modernist language. As a composer, he has constantly evolved, often changing styles quite dramatically. His works from the '70s on, often inspired by political events, have become less dense and harmonically more conventional.
The most widely known of Kurt Weill's songs, such as the satirical operas he wrote with Bertolt Brecht, often appear shorn of their original context. Yet, even when warmed by the heat of Louis Armstrong (“Mack the Knife”), the cold brutality of street life is still palpable. Weill's early melodies are unvarnished and eerie, often best suited to a lone voice and the sparse accompaniment of a tinkling piano or a modest chamber ensemble. After fleeing Nazi Germany to start again in New York, a welcome sentimentality had entered his work, particularly the swooning “September Song” and the 1946 jazzy, observational opera Street Scene.
After studying with the cream of Italy's postwar crop, this composer-pianist discovered a more populist form that was premised on minimalist melody and moderate tempos. Even when surging percussion (or orchestration) makes an appearance, the overall sound remains graceful and contemplative. Skilled with writing for film and television, Einaudi has also composed music for dance. And while he is in demand as a performer of his own works, other contemporary instrumentalists, like violinist Daniel Hope, have also taken to interpreting his catalog.
A propulsive pianist and prolific composer who disrupted nearly every major musical form—from the piano sonata and string quartet to the concerto, overture, and symphony—Beethoven was a tempestuous figure in 19th-century Vienna. The German-born musician, often thought of as the symbol of all master composers, is best recognized for his “Moonlight Sonata,” his Fifth Symphony (some call its theme “Fate knocking at the door”), and his Ninth Symphony's “Ode to Joy.” Beethoven began going deaf as a 26-year-old in 1796, but that's also when he began to write his most visionary music. A sufferer of arrhythmia too, Beethoven devised a unique style of short, rhythmic motifs that undergo intense development. The composer is universally beloved for his communication of heroism and serenity, especially obvious in his Violin Concerto, Third Symphony (“Eroica”), and the Fifth Piano Concerto, also known as the “Emperor.”
30 astounding pieces by 30 composers before they turned 20 years old. The history of classical music is never short of child prodigies, and these are some of their greatest teenage works that stood the test of time.
Best known for his masterly orchestration of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, Ravel was a colorist of distinction whose palette helped define French music of the early 20th century. His piano music is exquisite in its delicacy, and his ballet music—Daphnis et Chloé in particular—is ravishing in its use of the orchestra. (Even with just four instruments, as with his String Quartet, he is a master of color.) His short operas, now often staged, are wonderfully witty and entertaining, while his song cycle Shéhérazade conjures up the exoticism of the East with a perfume you can almost smell.
With admiration for American minimalism (particularly Philip Glass) as well as for a range of European pop (including The Beatles and Kraftwerk), this graduate of London's Royal Academy of Music has cut a unique path. He produces albums, collaborates with the likes of Tilda Swinton, and occasionally “recomposes” works that other artists would assume are fully fixed in listeners' minds. (It takes ambition to propose a new version of Vivaldi's Four Seasons.) Whether composing music for sleep or for more lively pursuits, he's a gently provocative force in contemporary music.
Including genre-defining classics (Steve Reich, Philip Glass), postminimalism (Paul Dresher, Louis Andriessen), holy minimalism (Henryk Górecki, Arvo Pärt) and more.
The best Modernist music from the early 20th century. Impressionism with Ravel and Debussy. Expressionism with Schoenberg and Webern. Neoclassical with Stravinsky and Bartok.
Although he was only an occasional composer, and faced a number of professional and personal obstacles—including a struggle with alcoholism and a long stint in conscripted civil service—Modest Mussorgsky's great works earn a place among "The Five" Romantic Russians who gave the nation its own classical tradition (Balakirev, Cui, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Alexander Borodin round out this elite fraternity). When he died, he left behind mostly incomplete works—the rough-edged inventiveness of which inspired acts of “polishing” by a small, often quibbling army of musicologists and admiring composers (such as Rimsky-Korsakov and Ravel). In whatever version one manages to hear them performed, Night on Bald Mountain, Pictures at an Exhibition, and the majestically impressive opera Boris Godunov all put Mussorgsky's psychologically expressive talents on display.
The most soothing and calming classical music for babies, featuring works by Debussy, Chopin, Corelli, Bach and Brahms, brought to you by Sinfini Music.
The definitive guide to some of the greatest American composers in history.
Keep your finger on the pulse of the newest and most relevant music out there today by listening to some new and familiar contemporary composers and artists that blur the lines between classical and pop music.
From Beethoven's 5th to Brahms' 4th to Mahler's 2nd, the latest in the Need to Know series brings you the most epic symphonies in history.
Mozart was one of the original rockstars of classical music. He composed over 600 works in his very short lifetime. The next stop in the Need to Know series focuses on Mozart's most famous pieces.
Discover the Romantic Era through this mix of epic, emotion-filled music from Beethoven to Respighi.
Featuring the newest releases in Classical Music.
Nils Frahm has been working at a breathless pace following the release of his first album of piano instrumentals, 2005's Streichelfisch. Since then, the virtuosic German keyboardist and composer has released an impressive body of work that melds the world of modern electronic music with the quiet grandeur of classical. As his career has moved forward, Frahm has embraced the possibilities of technology, adding more ambient textures and drones into his work, as well as finding willing collaborators such as F.S. Blumm, Ólafur Arnalds, and Machinefabriek.
Necesitas ayuda con la concentración? Esta playlist te acompañara en la preparación de tus trabajos y exámenes. No te pierdas las pistas que hemos seleccionados para vos aqui!
This Icelandic producer caused a commotion in the classical world by taking an unusual approach to Chopin, using compromised keyboards and admitting ghostly murmurings into his artful mixdowns. The stylishly solemn result is similar to the sounds you'll hear in Arnalds' own compositions, like his minimalist score for the TV show "Broadchurch." Add a touch of digital percussion and you'll get Arnalds' gorgeous collaborations with electronic music stars Nils Frahm (on Stare) and Janus Rasmussen (in the duo Kiasmos). No matter which genre he touches, his gentle melodic gift leaves its imprint.
100 highlight tracks from 100 great operas, including masterpieces of baroque era (Monteverdi, Rameau, Gluck) all the way to 20th century and contemporary classics (Ligeti, Saariaho, John Adams).
Be guided through the world of opera with this playlist. Cover: Pavarotti
50 excellent orchestral arrangements that colored beautiful piano/chamber works with rich sonorities, and lush texture.
Minimalist only begins to describe the ever-changing music of one of America's most productive and influential composers. With a foundation in Bach and Mozart, the onetime New York taxi driver was inspired by the rhythms of India to concoct complex, repetitive structures containing myriad harmonic inversions. Landmark works such as "Music in 12 Parts" and "Einstein on the Beach"—as well as innumerable symphonies, concertos, and works for his own group—have made the Buddhist activist a prolific and omnipresent figure in New York culture.
Best known, and much loved, for his 1812 Overture, First Piano Concerto, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake ballets, Romeo and Juliet, and plenty more, Tchaikovsky was one of Russia's greats. A cultivated and cosmopolitan man, he had a glorious gift of melody that could dig deep, as in the opera Eugene Onegin, or sweep his audiences up, as in his great ballets. He was an adored teacher and an accomplished conductor. His final three symphonies (Nos. 4-6) bare his often troubled soul and have found a place on concert programs the world over. His death, at age 53, remains an enigma.
Instantly recognizable pop songs, reimagined by classically trained musicians. A mostly acoustic/instrumental mix that's perfect for background listening.
50 best examples of catchy pop tunes that borrowed their melodies from classical music. Each song is followed by its classical inspiration.
The entire Book of Psalms set to music, by more than 140 classical composers. From thousand-year old Gregorian Chant, to fascinating contemporary choral settings by Arvo Pärt, Steve Reich, and many more.
Warm, lyrical, and deeply compelling: an extra viola or cello (or occasionally, double bass) brings an extra layer of harmony to the familiar quartet setup, and so much more. Explore the string quintet repertoire with this 50-composer anthology.
Spend time with Samuel Barber and Meredith Monk. We’re highlighting 50 LGBTQ composers for Pride. Cover: Nico Muhly
With a life that straddled two centuries, Strauss—no relation to the Viennese waltz dynasty—revelled in the potential of the huge Late Romantic orchestra. He wrote tone-poems (Also sprach Zarathustra one of the most popular) and a stream of operas that embraced the violent (Salome and Elektra), the aristocratic (Der Rosenkavalier and Capriccio), and the fantastic (Die Frau one Schatten). A great conductor and one of Europe's major musicians, his naive relationship with the Nazis soured his later years, but he remains one of the best-loved composers of the 20th century.
Wagner's radically forward-thinking music represented a violent upheaval that would set the conditions for impressionism, serialism, jazz, and even popular music. His colossal one-off operas like Tristan und Isolde and Parsifal blasted open the Romantic paradigm, birthing a comprehensive approach to drama and a liberation of tonality that features endless melodies, behemoth orchestras, and mercurial, spidery harmonies. The far-reaching Ring Cycle, a mythological tale of heroes and villains, showcases flowing, meditative lyricism and moments of grandeur (“Ride of the Valkyries”).
The epitome of German Romanticism, Robert Schumann was a failed pianist and highly sensitive composer who studied law and wrote poetry and music criticism. Lyric ingenuity infused his narrative song cycles (in translation, a famous one, Dichterliebe, is called “A Poet's Love”), and he was equally adept at innovating collections of short, delicate piano pieces (e.g., “Phantasiestücke” or “Fantastic Pieces,” and Kinderszenen or “Scenes From Childhood”). A devoted father of seven, Schumann was an idealist, and although he wrote concertos, symphonies, sonatas, and chamber music (including a famous Piano Quintet), he was better suited to short, simpler forms.
Moving vocal tracks sung by great voices. When you listen to this playlist you'll hear well known music like the Ave Maria but also discover unknown treasurs like Refices 'Ombra di nube'
Choral masterpieces and sacred classical works.
Barber stuck steadfastly to a style of music in which he believed, despite criticism and negativity, but time proved him right and his Adagio (originally for string quartet) and Violin Concerto are now central repertoire works. Toscanini gave him his big break by premiering the Adagio and First Essay with the NBC orchestra. He was a sensitive song composer (his Knoxville: Summer of 1915 is exquisite) and a fine baritone himself. Antony and Cleopatra, written for the opening of the Met in 1966, was a disaster, largely due to the production. Explore the works of this justly popular modern composer.
In this playlist, Sean Hickey shares some his favorite and most inspriring works alongside some of his own pieces, including his latest, A Pacifying Weapon, out now on Danish label, OUR Recordings.
A virtuoso pianist who wrote music for himself to perform (including five piano concertos), Prokofiev was also a major symphonist (Nos. 1 and 5 the most popular; 1947's No. 6 probably the greatest). He emigrated and lived in France for a while, but his return to the USSR was marked by increasing hardship and strained relationships with the authorities. His music sparkles at its most outgoing, but works like the violin sonatas could also reach deep into the soul. His ballets are central repertoire works, with Romeo and Juliet a masterpiece of storytelling in music from 1935.
Like the pianist/composers of the Classical era, this late-Romantic Russian wrote music in order to have material handy for his live gigs—including his famous Piano Concerto No. 3, which Rachmaninoff brought on his first American tour. His floridly dramatic preludes and concertos for piano have worked as proving grounds for virtuosos such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Martha Argerich, and Yuja Wang. But his symphonic music is just as rewarding (as recordings by the London Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra demonstrate).
If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die. Listen to music inspired by some of William Shakespeare's greatest works like Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Otello, & Henry V.
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Kick back, relax, & chillout with classical music.
Need some music to help ease you into your blissful vacation at the beach? This playlist is just the thing to accompany the feeling of sand on your toes and the sounds of ocean waves.
A collection of exquisite (sometime exotic) classical compositions that intimate birdsong, or inspired by birds, including Sibelius' Swan of Tuonela, Ravel's Oiseaux tristes (Sad Birds), Vaughan Williams' The Lark, and many more.
Your daily dose of Classical happiness
Grab your friends and gather around the campfire for an evening of classical music. The perfect end to your day!
This playlist is guaranteed to take you back to Saturday morning Cartoon time! Oh, to be a kid again…
Enjoy a cup of seasonal cheer with your loved ones and these familiar festive favourites from artists old and new.
Instrumental acoustic guitar renditions of the Christmas songs you love.
A chronological collection of 60 magnificent symphonies, by 60 composers. The grand tour takes you through the symphony's entire history from late 18th century to the modern age, with many stops at monuments of classical and romantic eras.
Chill to the most familiar and cinematic classical pieces that appeared in memorable films, from the Mozart aria in Shawshank's Redemption, to the Mahler in Birdman. Most tracks are from the original soundtracks so you can find out which film was it from
Enjoy this collection of Christmas classics, the perfect soundtrack for all your holiday celebrations!
Here's a collection of great classical tunes to help you celebrate this beautiful spring holiday!
Here's some of the most scary and eerie classical pieces. You will be surprised that traditional instruments and human voices can produce such shocking and frightening sounds! Forget about Mozart Requiem or Bach Toccata & Fugue, these are the real monsters..
“A film is - or should be - more like music than like fiction.” Stanley Kubrick.
A collection of 50 overwhelmingly sad yet captivating classical pieces that take you to a journey into the heart of darkness
Not feeling the tunes your local coffee shop has playing? Just plug in and press play for a playlist that will better suit your needs as you sip on some Java.
Classical music can relax, stimulate, soothe and energise, so what better soundtrack for your coffee break than some of its greatest works, music by Haydn, Vivaldi, Schubert and more.
Need some calming, blissful music to ease your road rage or get you through a long train journey? Look no further, Classical Commute is here to ease the stress of rush hour travel.
Fire up the grill and get cooking with classical music. The perfect soundtrack for your backyard BBQ.
Music inspired by the planets, stars, and cosmos.
Music inspired by the planets, stars, and cosmos. Enjoy music by Holst, John Williams, and more!
Trying to plan the perfect date, but don't feel like going out? This playlist full of romantic music pairs perfectly with a candlelit dinner, bottle of wine, and your sweetheart.
The perfect playlist for a dinner party with your closest friends that's guaranteed to elevate small talk to... medium talk.
The perfect playlist for a dinner party with your closest friends or date night with your special someone.
An aboreal adventure in an enchanted forest - a relaxing and refreshing getaway for young and old. Designed to stimulate a child's (or adult's) imagination. Evokes or supports emotions which include awe and wonder!
Be enchanted by the music of Tchaikovsky, Humperdinck, Rossini and Prokofiev at famous fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and more.
Classical music to accompany elegant dinners and feasts.
The perfect playlist to accompany any book. So grab that new book you just got, get cozy in your favorite reading spot, press play and enjoy!
Whether you need a soundtrack for your weightlifting session, workout, or just need something to pump you up for the day ahead, get inspired with this epic playlist; designed to motivate and empower
Roses are red, violets are blue, what better way to show your love than with some classical tunes. Here's a romantic playlist to set the mood for you and your sweetheart.
101 tracks of calm classical music to get you through the night.
Yule love savoring the holidays with thtese instrumental and choral masterpieces.
Hear how people from around the world celebrate the holidays with this playlist filled with Holiday music from countries like Denmark, Germany, Austria, United Kingdom and the United States!
Enjoy this brilliant collection of holiday carols, performed by some of the world's best choirs!
Naxos presents a collection of Classical music to honor and remember loved ones who are no longer with us.
Mendelssohn's The Hebrides, Copland's Applachian Spring, John Luther Adams' Become Ocean, and many more epic classical works inspired by the wonder that is nature
Classical music to set the mood for your intimate dinners together with love ones and friends.
Naxos and its affiliated labels lead the classical music field in terms of the number and range of their new monthly releases. Klaus Heymann, the founding chairman of Naxos, makes his preferred pick from the latest monthly crop, and our playlist includes sample tracks from his selected recordings.
Tenderly loving and baby-friendly classical music that's perfect for bedtime listening, from the most famous (Brahms' lullaby, Debussy's Clair de lune) to dozens of lesser known gems.
Help put your little one at ease and drifting happily off into dreamland with this perfect playlist of classical music.
30 astounding pieces by 30 composers before they turned 20 years old. The history of classical music is never short of child prodigies, and these are some of their greatest teenage works that stood the test of time.
If you like a little classical in your metal.
Have a listen to some classic scary music that is sure to give you chills!
The best classical pieces inspired by dancing snowflakes, or evoke images of winter landscapes. Enjoy the perfect soundtrack for a winter journey, or a quiet night's reading by the fireside. Other seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn.
Free your mind with this collection of tranquil songs perfect for your daily yoga practice or meditation.
Naxos brings you a unique collection of Classical Music for Fall.
50 excellent orchestral arrangements that colored beautiful piano/chamber works with rich sonorities, and lush texture.
The entire Book of Psalms set to music, by more than 140 classical composers. From thousand-year old Gregorian Chant, to fascinating contemporary choral settings by Arvo Pärt, Steve Reich, and many more.
There's something soothing and romantic about a dreary, rainy day. Enjoy this playlist of beautiful classical music to accompany the drizzle.
Traveling for the holidays? Avoid experiencing any road rage and use this playlist as the soundtrack for your time on the road to make it a serene and enjoyable journey!
Choral masterpieces and sacred classical works.
Take a musical trip to the zoo with these fun classical music tracks inspired by the animal kingdom!
Go on a virtual voyage with this playlist filled with music inspired by the sea.
Drift off to peaceful slumber with these light and airy pieces from Barenboim, Argerich, and more.
Naxos brings you a unique collection of Classical Music for the Springtime
Naxos brings you a unique collection of Classical Music for Winter.
Get the job done with these classical pieces from Baroque through present day.
Break a sweat to these classical pieces and feel like a champion.
