Why Listen to Classical Music?

9 min readAug 30, 2023

Short Answer — because “Where words fail, music speaks”?

This quote by Hans Christian Andersen — where words fail, music speaks — is a beautiful description of music. Especially classical music.

I love classical music. Love it.

It should be partially because when I was eight years old, I was sent to a piano school. While I did not really enjoy the seven years of piano study, now, years later, I love playing piano.

It should be partially because I grew up in the Soviet Union. In both the Soviet Union and independent Azerbaijan, the music culture was very rich, and classical music was highly valued.

It should be partially because I grew up listening to it. And every time I want to switch on next-level productivity and focus, I put on some of my time-tested classical “soundtracks for my life” and it always works.

It should also be, of course, because classical music is simply AMAZING.

Let me try to convince you too.

First of all, and I promise to keep this part very brief, what is classical music? Classical music is typically understood as predominantly Western classical music. It is commonly acknowledged as including the best examples of music ever created. It is a formal musical tradition, so we are not talking about folk music, pop, jazz, rock, or electronic music. The focus is usually on three periods that span almost three centuries — 17th to 19th:

Baroque period (Bach, Vivaldi, Handel),
Classical period (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven), and
Romantic period (Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Brahms, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Scriabin, Liszt, Paganini, Grieg, Dvorak).

Sure, the 20th century had its share of musical geniuses too — Rachmaninov, Debussy, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich, to name a few, but I will mostly stay away from more modern examples.

Classical music is all around us. We hear it all the time — in movies, in commercials, in shopping malls, in elevators. Everywhere. Often without realizing it. There are countless adaptations of classical music pieces in pop music, even rap and electronic music. There are melodies ingrained in our memories — we don’t know what they are, but at some point, you find out and you go, oh wait, so this was Chopin! Or Beethoven!

Think of the start of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Or Ode to Joy from his 9th Symphony. Think of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Or Summer from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Bizet’s Carmen or Strauss’ The Blue Danube. Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt Suite. Chopin’s Funeral March. Pachelbel’s Canon or Mendelssohn’s The Wedding March. Debussy’s Claire de Lune or Chopin’s Fantasie-Impromptu.

Now let’s talk about why you should listen to it.

Cultural enrichment. Classical music has a rich history spanning centuries and is a significant part of various cultures around the world. By listening to classical music, you can gain insight into the art, values, and emotions of different eras and societies.
Emotional enrichment. Love, sadness, anger, frustration, regret. You name it, there is classical music for it. Classical music is, like literary art, a great engine of empathy. It allows us to experience and express emotions, recover from emotional distress, and get better at understanding fellow human beings.
Mental Stimulation. The complexity and sophistication of classical compositions engage the brain in unique ways. Listening to intricate melodies and harmonies can enhance cognitive skills, including pattern recognition, attention to detail, and memory. It improves listening skills, and the ability to detect and differentiate between sounds.
Enhanced Concentration. Some people find that classical music, particularly instrumental pieces, can improve focus and concentration. It can create an environment conducive to studying, working, or engaging in creative activities.
Nurturing Creativity. Listening to classical music can ignite your own creativity. The complexities of classical compositions can inspire artistic expression, whether in visual arts, writing, or other creative pursuits.
Relaxation and Stress Relief. Many classical compositions have a soothing and calming effect. Listening to serene pieces can help reduce stress, and anxiety, promoting relaxation. In these times of elevated stress levels across the board, when quiet time and relaxed time are short, we need the emotional space and boost that classical music can provide, more than ever.
Boosting Health. Classical music has a positive effect on blood pressure. It helps reduce depression and anxiety. It helps with sleep habits. It even relieves physical pain.
Shared Experience. Attending classical music concerts or events can be a communal experience that connects you with other enthusiasts. Sharing an appreciation for live performances can create a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Going to concerts with your loved ones creates unforgettable experiences that help strengthen your bonds.

Classical music evokes a wide range of emotions. Composers often use intricate melodies, harmonies, and dynamics to convey powerful feelings, allowing listeners to experience catharsis and introspection. Think about movie soundtracks and how the best soundtracks get the viewers deeply involved with the story, and with what the characters are going through. Some of the best soundtracks are composed in the style of classical music — think movies like Gladiator, Inception, and The Dark Knight.

As you continue listening to classical music, you will start appreciating it for its own sake, marveling at the remarkable skills of the composers and performers. You will expand your musical horizons and explore various styles, genres, and performances (yes, different performances of the same piece can leave very different impressions). You can learn about composers, historical context, and musical techniques — which can be a rewarding intellectual pursuit in and of itself.

Classical music has stood the test of time due to its enduring beauty and emotional resonance. Many compositions have remained popular and relevant for generations, demonstrating their timeless beauty and appeal.

Of course, as in any other art form, enjoyment of music is subjective, and what resonates with one person may not have the same effect on another. So explore different periods, composers, and styles to find what resonates with you personally.

Quick information on classical music genres. Symphonies are the most majestic pieces of classical music, with anywhere from half an hour to an hour and more of playtime. It is a work that involves an orchestra performance — string instruments, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. It typically has four movements, each with a different “theme” — the first and last movements are typically fast and imposing, the second (or third) expressive and sensible, and the last either dramatic or cheerful.

An overture — is a symphonic introduction to an opera or a ballet. It helps set the tone for the piece that follows.

A string quartet — is an example of chamber music — these are pieces composed for a small group of instruments. A quartet is usually two violins, a viola, and a cello.

A concerto is a genre with typically three movements where a solo performer (typically on a piano or a violin, sometimes a cello or another instrument) and an orchestra perform together.

A sonata, nocturne, etude, prelude, or other such types of pieces are typically for instrumental solos — usually for piano, sometimes for other instruments.

An opera is a theatre-like performance in which vocal performances are accompanied by an orchestra. A self-contained song performed by one vocalist as part of an opera is called an aria.

One more thing I want to address. I have often heard and seen statements referring to classical music as elitist. This is nothing but a remnant of the past ages. Classical music used to be something associated with aristocracy and formal concert settings. But today, things are very different.

Classical music is now freely accessible — just go on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Music and some of the most amazing performances are at your disposal. You can also more easily access live performances — there are free concerts, many affordable opportunities, open rehearsals, and community performances.

Thanks to free access, classical music now offers amazing experiences and education to people of all backgrounds. Its emotional resonance and cultural diversity make it something that can be embraced and enjoyed by people from different cultures and backgrounds.

I will now offer some recommendations (it is amazing how much time this took). These are, inherently subjective of course. And while I am sure many will agree with most of the pieces that made it to my lists below, there are plenty of people who will have disagreements as well. Argue, object, comment away!

Here are my top 10 classical music pieces:

Beethoven’s Symphony №9 in D minor, Op. 125 (“Choral”)
Mozart’s Symphony №40 in G minor, K. 550
Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, K. 626
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, Op.71
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons (my favorite is Allegro non molto from Winter)
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto №5 in E-flat major, Op.73
Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D major, Op.77
Schubert’s Symphony №8 in B minor, D. 759 (“Unfinished”)
Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto №2 in C minor, Op.18
Dvorak’s Symphony №9 in E minor, “From the New World”, Op.95

These are truly the best of the best.

I would recommend some of my personal favorites on top of that:

Brahms’ Symphony №3 in F major, Op.90, particularly the 3rd movement
Beethoven’s Symphony №7 in A major, Op.92, I strongly recommend the 2nd movement
Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A minor, Op.28
Chopin’s Piano Concerto №2 in F minor, Op.21
Brahms’ Piano Concerto №2 (№1 is great too) in B flat major, Op.83
Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on the Theme of Paganini, Op.43
Marquez’, Danzon №2
Bach’s St Matthew Passion, BWV 244 (particularly the two parts — the Introduction (Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen) and the incredible Erbarme Dich)
Barber’s Adagio for Strings — the adapted 2nd movement of his String Quartet in B minor, op.11
Ravel’s Bolero
Beethoven’s Overtures Egmont (Op.84) and Coriolan (Op.62)
Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.47
Chopin, Ballade №4 in F minor, Op.52 (piano)
Chopin, Nocturne in C minor, Op.48, №1 (piano)
Scriabin, Etude in D-sharp minor, Op.8, №12 (piano)
Beethoven’s Moonlight (№14 in C sharp minor, Op.27) and Appassionata Sonatas (№23 in F minor, Op.57) (piano)
Mendelssohn’s Symphony №3 in A minor (Scottish), Op.56
Bizet’s Carmen opera

From here on, explore away! If you are into piano pieces, then here are a few more recommendations:

Beethoven’s Piano Sonata №8 in C minor, Op. 13 (“Pathétique”)
Chopin — Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, №2 (the whole collection of nocturnes is amazing)
Liszt’s Liebesträume, S. 541 (№3 is incredible)
Bach’s Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Debussy’s Clair de Lune
Rachmaninov’s Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, №2
Schubert’s Impromptu in G-flat major, Op. 90, №3

If you enjoy piano concerti, check out Rachmaninov’s №3, Tchaikovsky’s concerto, Mozart’s №20, 21, 23, and 27, Bach’s Keyboard Concerto №1 in D minor, Chopin’s №1, Beethoven’s №3 and 4, and very underrated one — Saint Saens’ №2.

As to which pianists’ performances to listen to, Arthur Rubinstein will always be my favorite. Other than him, I love listening to Claudio Arrau, Emil Gilels, and Krystian Zimerman.

If you want to listen to violin pieces, here are three recommendations:

Johann Sebastian Bach — Partita №2 in D minor, BWV 1004 (Chaconne)
Niccolò Paganini — Caprice №24 in A minor, Op.1
Pablo de Sarasate — Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20

If you enjoy listening to violin concerti, there are some amazing ones. Other than the ones by Brahms and Sibelius I mentioned earlier, Mendelssohn’s, Mozart’s, Beethoven’s, Bruch’s, and Tchaikovsky’s concerti are incredible. And of course, Bach. Pretty much every violin concerto by Bach is a masterpiece.

For great violin performers, I grew up listening to Jascha Heifetz, David Oistrakh, and Itzhak Perlman. Incredible artists. If you are listening to a violin piece, try to find a recording by one of these three maestros.

For symphonies, I mentioned quite a few above, but I also love Mozart’s 41st, Schubert’s 9th, and Brahms’ 1st and 4th. Not a fan of Mahler, but like I said — it is all subjective. :)

Finally, if you love listening to opera arias, here are some of my favorites:

Puccini’s Nessun Dorma (from Turandot),
Puccini’s E Lucevan Le Stelle (from Tosca),
Delibes’ Duet of Flowers (from Lakme),
Donizetti’s Una Furtiva Lagrima (from L’Elisir d’Amore),
Bellini’s Casta Diva (from Norma),
Verdi’s Brindisi (from La Traviata),
Leoncavallo’s Vesti la Giubba (from Pagliacci)
Tchaikovsky’s Lensky’s aria Куда, куда вы удалились? (from Evgeny Onegin)

For opera arias, make sure to check out performances by Luciano Pavarotti, Enrico Caruso, Placido Domingo, Maria Callas, and Montserrat Caballe.

Finally, if you care to check out Azerbaijani classical music, I would recommend you try Uzeyir Hadjibeyov’s Koroglu Overture, Fikret Amirov’s Kurd Ovshari and Azerbaijan Capriccio. Azerbaijan has a rich classical music tradition where classical music structure is fused with the traditional Mugham music — it is truly magnificent. But it may not be for everyone. :) Maybe I’ll explore this in another article some other time.

This is it, for now, now go ahead, explore, and enjoy!

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Why Listen to Classical Music?

Written by Rational Badger