First, a palette cleanser.

Normally, in a meal, a palette cleanser comes somewhere in the middle

of the meal, but since there is already so much stigma about classical music and how it is
“sleeping music” or “study music,” we must start with a fresh mind. In this portion, I will have 3
pieces. FROM THIS POINT ON, IT IS CRUCIAL YOU DO NOT STOP HALFWAY THROUGH A
PIECE. Please have the patience to finish a piece you start. Also, you can keep track of which
pieces you like and which pieces you don’t and let me know, and I can personalize a playlist for
you.
First, this is my favorite piece for shattering this idea; Danse Infernale by Stravinsky, arranged
by Agosti for piano. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx1f-DUj2Mg
Second, a more popular piece, Prelude op 28 no 24 by Chopin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtQ-tp3jwXQ
This third piece is very avant-garde, and I doubt many people would enjoy listening to it. This is
a piece that I show for the laughs (and sometimes slaps) that come after it. This is a subgenre
of classical music called atonal music, and it is not for everyone; in fact, it is not for most people.
This is the fourth sonata of Sciarrino. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dia0tbJEewY
Now that we have gotten the palette cleansers, this will be a half-educational and half-enjoyable
playlist and guide. The most important thing is to of course enjoy the music, but also to
introduce to yourself a whole new type of music.

First, and perhaps most importantly, is the foundation of most music; counterpoint and the
Baroque era. Perhaps the biggest distinction between classical music and pop music is the use
of counterpoint; that is, multiple voices. The most apparent example of this would be a 2 part
invention. A popular 2 part invention is the second invention of Bach (who is one of the most
influential and greatest composers of all time) in F major.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6GvSExplL0
As you listen, notice how the bottom voice does what the top voice does but with a delay. This
helps you differentiate between the voices. As we reach the middle section, we hear what is
called the development section. We go through different ideas with this one motif, and we end
with a resolution in the key, which would be F. Now, this might seem complicated, but bear with
me. If you understand the concept of counterpoint, you already have most of the classical music
figured out.
Now, let us move on to a slightly more complicated example of counterpoint in a fugue. Fugues
are more complicated and are usually analyzed in depth, but as a casual listener, you don’t
have to. I specifically chose this fugue in D major which has four voices. This is Bach’s fifth
fugue from the Well-Tempered Klavier (regarded as the old testament of music).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn_qyvMMi68
Here, everything is already analyzed for you. You can see the subject (the main recurring
melody) along with countersubjects and harmonies. If you just follow each voice, it isn’t difficult
to distinguish between the four voices. As you listen, notice how each voice works with the other
voices.

Second is what is considered the golden age of music, the Classical era. Now, I do not like this
era except for a notable composer which we will get to at the end. This is for a simple reason
and it is also the reason I do not like pop music: simplicity. The classical era is far more simple
contrapuntally and in terms of chords compared to its counterparts, but this era is also a very
important era for the introduction of many concepts, notably the popularization of sonata form
and the symphony. Haydn is known as the father of the symphony, and he more or less
pioneered the standard symphonic form in which there are 4 movements. Each movement of a
symphony works together with similar ideas to create one full piece. Generally, a symphony
starts with a fast movement, follows with a slow movement, follows with a dance-like movement,
and ends with a fast movement. Our first full-length symphony definitely will not be introduced
here, but this is just good to keep in mind. Next, sonata form. Sonata form is relatively simple,
and here is a fun video explaining it with a song (I feel like a teacher).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7PfGTtUC84
This video is an absolute gem, it is the clearest explanation of sonata form I have ever found.
First movements of symphonies, sonatas, and string quartets generally follow this form. Now,
we will look at an example of this with Beethoven’s first piano sonata in F minor, first movement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGCX0wf7bkM
I could also discuss concepts such as horizontal vs vertical counterpoint but I will not for the
sake of accessibility.

Next is the Romantic era of classical music, which is my favorite era. This is the era of
enlightenment. Things were becoming freer and more expressive. I will skip the technical
explanations because they have already been given. Let us start with one of the greatest pieces
of music ever made, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Now, this is a longer piece, but trust me, it is
worth it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbxgYlcNxE8
In this piece, there are cannons, fireworks, and a whole fucking church bell tower. This is
certainly a monumental work. If this isn’t powerful, then I don’t know what power is. A very
influential composer is Gustav Mahler, but he deserves his own section.

Now we know the basics, we have to build up our stamina. In this section, I will give you pieces
that progress in how long they are. We will start with a very short prelude piece and work our
way up to a full symphony. It is important we can concentrate on a piece for a determined
amount of time without skipping off before we move any further.

1. Rachmaninoff prelude op 23 no 7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyxpeLh7z3s

(2:27)
2. Chopin nocturne op 48 no 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSAwZP8e-zQ (6:01)
3. Ravel Ondine from Gaspard de la Nuit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT0Lr-kDG5c
(7:25)
4. Balakriev Islamey op 18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8qgOR9TZnc (8:01)\
5. Liszt Spanish Fantasy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79XmMnCS_S4 (12:33)
6. Liszt Reminiscences de norma de Bellini
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcQAZgy-nn8 (14:57)
7. Schumann Fascgingdschwank Aus wien
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ALuzQ4dLG8 (21:44)
8. Rachmaninoff Sonata 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5YuoCmGxfM (25:13) (First
full multimovement work, congratulations!)
 9. Liszt Sonata in B minor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeKMMDxrsBE&t=1617s
(30:38)
10. Beethoven Symphony no 7 in A major https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSb4-mZ7BEg
(40:07)

And here we have it, 10 works up to a full-scale symphony. Now, these are a few of my personal
favorite works, sorted by the composer.

GUSTAV MAHLER:
Gustav Mahler is my favorite composer, period. He is by far the greatest composer for epic
music of all time, one of the greatest symphonic composers, and the greatest composer for
programmatic music. One thing you will notice in all his music is epic fucking music. Without
further ado, I present to you Gustav Mahler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISBfOpztUZM (Mahler’s first symphony)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MNXqXXfMoM (Mahler’s second symphony, my personal
favorite)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KSESLJ0LWA&t=2949s (Mahler’s fifth symphony,
objectively the best one and most influential one)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goXH3NUhUFk&t=1839s (Mahler’s sixth symphony, which
he wrote after a series of tragic events. There are a three hammer blows in the fourth movement
that symbolizes each event)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoNEeKJ2x44&t=4377s (Mahler’s ninth and final symphony,
which is just perfection.)

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF
Rachmaninoff was a Russian late-romantic era composer. He was one of the most influential
composers ever in terms of texture and influence. A characteristic of his music is having really
powerful and badass climaxes, and these pieces are no different. Without further ado, Sergei
Rachmaninoff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3mXgmgnvdw (rachmaninoff’s second symphony, one of

the greatest symphonies ever written.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZTAXk2NOdc&t=265s (Rachmaninoff’s second piano
concerto, which was written and dedicated to his hypnotist who brought him out of a stage of
extended depression. The three movements represent despair, hope, and triumph.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvKQKnIVy1I&t=40s (Rachmaninoff’s third piano concerto;
this concerto is perhaps the pinnacle of his transcendental writing. The power and passion of
Rachmaninoff is apparent, especially in the third movement.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfjB-HF4RVw&t=256s (Rachmaninoff’s first piano concerto;
perhaps not as accessible to everyone but it is an amazing piece once you spend time with it.)
PETER TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky was a famous Russian romantic composer. His music was known for its bold and
thick texture. He is also the subject of many conspiracy theories, generally involving his death.
You will hear his very Russian style and the thickness of his tone. Without further ado,
Tchaikovsky.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqq31QZU7sg (Tchaikovsky’s sixth symphony. Now, this

symphony is actually quite different from most other Tchaikovsky symphonies, mostly because
the final movement is so tragic. This piece was written shortly before he died (by unboiled water,
there are theories this was a forced suicide as his homosexuality was very illegal in Russia at
the time) and this was almost like a note of his passing. The ending of the third movement is
more like how he would normally end a symphony, and during the premiere people clapped after
the third movement (you aren’t supposed to clap until the end of all movements of a piece), but
they were interrupted by the sudden tragedy of the fourth movement. A very amazing
symphony.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItSJ_woWnmk (Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto. This
concerto is amazing, no more words are needed).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5HhyuRyP9E (this piece is by no means a masterpiece,
and I admit perhaps the only reason why I love this piece so much is due to nostalgia (my
elementary music teacher who helped me discover my love of piano and music). Nevertheless,
it is an amazing piece.)

FREDERIC CHOPIN
Chopin is one of the greatest romantic era piano composers who ever lived. He was nicknamed
the poet of the piano. His music is characterized by amazing melodies and colors. Unfortunately,
he died an early death due to tuberculosis but he is not and will not be forgotten. I present to
you, Chopin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSFNl4roGlI (This is Chopin’s first ballade. This is my goto

audition piece and for good reason; it is technical and beautiful at the same time.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wslm1ZL9EI8 (Chopin ballade 2. This one has more of a
mixed reaction from the population, with some saying it is musically immature and others
thinking this is a great use of contrast. While I lean towards the latter, you are free to decide.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkPLDoZXlHQ (This is Chopin’s third ballade. This is the
simplest of all 4 of the ballades, and it is the only one that doesn’t end on a very tragic ending.
This piece is almost like the voice of the angels.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe-GrRQz8pk (This is the fourth, final, and most difficult
ballade of Chopin. This piece is just amazing to listen to. No further comments necessary.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucEoszfu9_E&t=673s (This is chopin’s second concerto.

😍
This was written as a love letter, and you can hear it in the music. The beautiful tone created by
the pianist (mommy yuja ) and the melodies written by Chopin fuse together to creat this
perfect performance. While the first concerto is more popular, I prefer this one by far.)

FRANZ LISZT
Franz Liszt was the biggest virtuoso of all time and he was the first rockstar ever. There are well
documented events where women would throw themselves at him to get a piece of his clothing
or his used handkerchief and what not. He was very popular, and for good reason. He was
considered wildly attractive and his pianistic ability was unmatched. However, his composition
skills were very very underrated, and here I present some of my favorite works of his.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlzn6nQpmgE&t=2083s (Harmonies et poetiques

religieuses. Beautiful. This is a set of multiple pieces, and my favorite is number 3, Bénédiction
de Dieu dans la solitude. It is absolutely beautiful.)\
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZPilpoCFKo (The 3 Liebestraume. The third is the most
popular, but all of them deserve love. His expert use of chords, voicing, and melodic control is
very clear in these 3 pieces.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfT5Ypuo7xI (The second concerto of Liszt. This is
absolutely amazing and is very lyrical. This is in stark contrast to his first concerto which is much
more of a show-off piece. This concerto uses tone in ways that would normally be unimaginable.
Amazing.)

LUDWIG BEETHOVEN
The greatest of all time, next to Bach. He kickstarted the Romantic era, revolutionized the
symphony, and his piano sonatas are out of this world. He was born to the classical era but his
style became more and more avant-garde as he grew older. He even went deaf at the end of his
career, but that didn’t stop him from writing one of the greatest symphonies of all time, which I
will show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOjHhS5MtvA&t=4018s (Beethoven’s ninth and final

symphony. This symphony is amazing. This is the first choral symphony and where the famous
“Ode to joy” comes from, but not as simplified. Franz Liszt transcribed this mountainous
symphony for solo piano, which makes for a very painful playing experience but one of the
greatest musical ones ever. This symphony is perhaps the greatest symphony before Mahler.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ak_7tTxZrk&t=179s (Beethoven’s 23rd sonata, named
Appassionata. This piece is absolutely amazing, showing his pain and fury at his slow loss of
hearing. Wonderful piece.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrcOcKYQX3c&t=497s (This piece is very well known, and it
is just amazing. No comments needed.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwZsDzGY1XA&t=16s (This is the hammerklavier sonata,
one of the most difficult piano sonatas ever written. This monstrous piece ends in an amazing
fugue (we discussed fugues earlier), and its musical and technical capabilities were truly
revolutionary, especially for the time.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccyHT1sFmsg&t=988s (This is an interesting piece.
Definitely not as accessible as the others, but it is amazing; almost jazzy in some parts. He was
truly ahead of his time.)

Of course I have many more pieces that I just utterly adore (I haven’t even scratched
impressionistic music or contemporary music), but these should do. Again, tell me which pieces
you like and ill make you a catered custom playlist.