For music lovers who also happen to enjoy playing the piano, classical sheet music can provide a wealth of beautiful options. From Pachelbel to Debussy, there are many incredible pieces that have been composed for the piano over the years. If you’re looking for some new music to add to your repertoire, here are five of the best classical sheet music pieces to play on the piano.
German Folk Song, "Lullaby"
This piece was actually written by Johann Pachelbel. It’s written in the German style, but is actually a lullaby. In fact, it was written specifically for use as a lullaby. This piece can be played in a number of different keys. You can also transpose it up or down to play it in any key. This piece has very simple chords, which make it perfect for beginners.
Johann Pachelbel was a German composer and organist who is best known for his composition Canon in D, which is often played at weddings. Pachelbel was born in Nuremberg in 1653 and died in 1706. He served as an organist in several churches throughout northern Germany and then became a professor of music at the University of Altdorf. After his death, Pachelbel’s music experienced a huge revival. Composers like Mozart and Beethoven even wrote pieces in the style of Pachelbel, which can help us get a sense of what Romantic music might have sounded like had it been written at the beginning of the 20th century.
French Folk Song, "Gavotte."
This is a classic French folk song by Adolphe Adam. It’s written in the form of a quick minuet, which makes it quite easy to play. There are several different versions of this song. You can find it in a number of different keys. Not only that, but this piece is also written in the German style, making it useful for musicians who are looking to transition to the German folk style. This piece is relatively easy to play, making it a great choice for beginners.
Adolphe Adam was a French composer, best known for his operas and ballets. His most famous work is the opera “Le Corsaire”, which was first performed in 1856. Adam was also a successful composer of operettas and other works for the stage. His talent was first recognized when he was just 14 years old. In 1824, he was given a job as Kapellmeister at the Paris Opera, the leading opera house in France at the time. A year later, he composed his first opera, “Cendrillon”, which premiered to great success. One of Adam’s most famous ballets, “Le Jardin aux Danseurs,” was written for and premiered at the Opéra Garnier in 1866.
Dvorak, "Songs My Mother Taught Me"
This piece is written by Antonin Dvorak. While it was originally written as a set of piano pieces, it has been arranged for many different types of instruments. This arrangement is available for brass, strings, and woodwinds. For this arrangement, the piece is transposed down a perfect fourth to play in C Major.
Gershwin, "Rhapsody in Blue"
This piece is a jazz standard that is quite easy to play. It was written by George Gershwin and his brother Ira Gershwin in 1923. While it is relatively easy to play, there are many high notes in this piece. This is a jazz standard that is quite appropriate for weddings.
Henderson, "Bonnie Jean"
This is another easy piece that can be found in many different arrangements. It was written by Scott Henderson in 1979 and it is often played on the flute. This piece is in the key of Bb Major and is a great piece for players to learn when learning to play jazz.
Hindemith, "Prelude, Fugue and Riffs"
This is a very fun piece that was written by Paul Hindemith in 1932. It is a piece that was written for saxophone, clarinet and piano. While the original version is quite difficult to play, there are many arrangements that are easy enough for anyone to play.
Kendis, "Song of the Volga Boatmen"
This is a very traditional Russian folk song that can be arranged in many different ways. This song was arranged by Myroslav Slaboshpitsky, and is a beautiful piece that is appropriate for weddings.
What is the most beautiful classical piano piece?
There are many beautiful classical piano pieces, but one that stands out is Frederic Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat major. This piece is incredibly moving and elegant, and its beauty lies in its simplicity. The entire piece is written in the form of a poem and speaks of loneliness, sadness and longing.
When writing this piece, Chopin was likely inspired by the tales of the German Romantic writer Novalis. In Novalis’ novel, “Aus Einem Gränz” (Tales from a Distance), there is a scene where a woman’s husband has just left her, and she sits alone in their home. She looks out the window and sees her neighbor dancing with a woman, who is described as having a “sad expression.” The two women start to dance more animatedly and loudly, oblivious to the woman in the house who is now on the verge of tears. The last thing that the neighbor sees, before she is engulfed in a long series of tears, is the “sad expression” on the face of her dancing neighbor. This painting in Novalis’ book is incredibly similar to the first movement of Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat major.