A List of Classical Music and Categories

This article is a conglomeration of my opinions of different styles of classical music. I am by no means a music genius, but I hope that people will be able to enjoy and appreciate even one of the songs that I choose. I will categorize the songs based on mood and possibly setting. If you have any suggestions or disagree with some of the categorizations, please feel free to leave a comment. I apologize if the page took a long time to load. I will probably have another article as a continuation of this article.

I wanted to post this because music constantly changes, but there is something boundless and almost essential in the genre of classical music. I feel that classical music hits on all emotional varieties and occasions and it truly has the ability to knock upon the human soul when the soul accepts the music. With Bach, it is his simplicity and his simple purpose of music that makes it so unique. For Prokofiev, you clearly envision the theatrical elements, the whimsical, and also the extremely depressing moments, bearing resemblance to the significant hardships of Russia. We enter a new realm of history, one that is both ephemeral and timeless in nature, as one temporarily relives the moment the composer writes this song: probing into his psyche, feeling the calmness, or feeling the intensity of emotional baggage that simply cannot be released through mere words but communicated universally for all to hear. Of course, when we listen, we might simply be listening for pleasure, and regardless of our reason for listening, we are forced to react, at a subconscious level or perhaps at the conscious level.

This song is a perfect song to try and relax and to simply think. The song does not have many variations in tone, and there is a very deep and profound nature to this somewhat simple piece. If you have an MP3, smartphone or an iPod and you can be encompassed in silence, this is a great piece to reflect and enjoy. The song appears melancholic, but this can be interpreted differently.

Also, the Youtube video regarding this song is played by one of the greatest pianists who ever lived. If you listen to how he plays, there is a difference that I cannot really explain with words.

This song is presumably melancholic, but has a very similar effect to the First Movement Moonlight Sonata. If one listens to this in silence, it may help towards contemplation as well as trying to push towards resolution. Yet, it may also accentuate or force a person to face any sadness. Like the first song, this song does not have significant dynamic or tempo changes, but there seem to be subtle changes between feelings of resolution and contemplation.

These songs are a lot quicker in tempo and does not provide the same effect of contemplation than the other two. Yet, there is a continuous pattern of almost a wave-like or swaying movement, which reminds me of how life can sway so much, yet there is usually some resolution when there is a shift from minor to major, followed by another 'sway'. Again these songs are somewhat melancholic in nature, but they are really interesting pieces.

I think he is able to capture the music because of how he has been indirectly a part of the events that took place. He is able to capture the best emotion seemingly because of this connection, and this song really allows one to contemplate about their history or about anything. There is a very similar effect, in my opinion, that is produced by songs 1 & 2. On Youtube, you may also want to check out the Tango by Itzhak Perlman. He is definitely one of the greatest violinists of this time.

This song literally has made me cry before when it was played well. Brendel does an amazing job capturing the essence of the song. It is not as melancholic but almost divine in nature. When I hear this song, it brings me to a state of calmness but with a certain intensity that does change the song around many times. The song portrays several different characteristics, from a feeling of contemplation to a feeling of contentment.

There are two different songs, but both have a very strong beginning, and although the heightened momentum subsides for Verdi's piece, it is seemingly more intense than Mozart's Dies Irae, which seems to spread this momentum.

When I listened to this song played by Cziffra, I was in awe as to how one can create such powerful notes with such speed. There are many that can play this song, but it is really hard to master the song.

There is a definite contrast between this song and its first movement. This song, when played a certain way, develops in intensity, almost like a storm.

The all famous 5th. When I listen to Karajan and his very, VERY large orchestra play this, it was simply breathtaking because he takes advantage of each player to his fullest limit.

This song sounds like a storm or the coming of a new season. The intensity is apparent. That is all I can say.

This song gets incrementally more difficult to play, and this is reflected by very light notes somewhat spread apart played somewhat quietly which eventually develops to an extremely fast tempo with a drastic difference in dynamic that comes in almost effortlessly. There is a lot of attention required towards the end because of its technical difficulty.

This is by far one of the most difficult pieces I have heard. It may only appear to be a test of technical ability, but again the difference between playing and mastering this piece is what clearly sets Volodo's apart as he plays this song.

The beginning resembles Carmen's Bizet, and the first few minutes may be very familiar, and after this introduction, the rest is a development that is somewhat similar to La Campanella. The intensity somewhat builds up until the last few minutes where the player's technical ability and mental/physical stamina is really put to the test.

The first movement gradually gets very intense, but this song is very much like Chopin's Etudes Op. 25, No. 12 in that the intensity can somewhat be detected at the beginning.

This is a time-old classic played by the Vienna Philharmonic every New Years.

Wow.  This song can get very intense and may not be for the faint of heart.

1. Hallelujah by Handel

By far one of the most uplifting songs I have heard.

2. Fur Elise by Beethoven

A classic.

3. Lieberstraum by F. Liszt