Classical Music for Autumn: The Best of the Season
The colors are changing and the air is getting crisp – it’s time to enjoy autumn to the fullest with some of the best classical music the season has to offer!
Autumn-Themed Pieces
As the leaves begin to change color and the weather gets cooler, we start to think about all things autumn. There are so many things to love about this season-the food, the colors, the cooler temperatures. And of course, the music. Classical music has always been associated with autumn, and for good reason. The best classical pieces evoke the feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia that we all crave this time of year.
Vivaldi- “Autumn” from The Four Seasons
“Autumn” is the second of Vivaldi’s famous “Four Seasons” concerti, and the only one in which all four solo Violin parts are written in the high register. This work has become one of Vivaldi’s most popular, and it’s easy to see why. The music is full of energy and life, depicting the autumn harvest with a joyousness that is contagious.
Tchaikovsky- “October” from The Seasons
This work by Tchaikovsky is part of a set of twelve pieces, each representing a month of the year. “October” paints a musical picture of the month, evoking the image of leaves falling from the trees.
Beethoven- “Autumn” from The Creatures of Prometheus
This is one of Beethoven’s more light-hearted and upbeat works. It tells the story of the Greek god Prometheus and his creation of humanity. The work is in six parts, each representing a different character from the story. The piece ends with a vigorous dance, which celebrates Prometheus’ gift to humanity.
Best-Known Classical Pieces
Autumn is the time for change, and what better way to change up your musical repertoire than by adding some classical pieces to your playlist? While some of the following pieces may be better-known than others, all of them are perfect for getting you in the autumnal mood.
Bach- “Air on the G String”
Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Air on the G String” is one of the most beautiful and best-known classical pieces ever written. It’s perfect for autumn, with its warm, mellow sound. The “G string” in the title refers to the highest string on a violin. The air is actually an aria, originally written as part of Bach’s “Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major.” It was later adapted for violin and piano.
Mozart- “Eine kleine Nachtmusik”
Mozart’s charming and delicate “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” is one of the most beloved pieces of classical music. The name means “a little night music,” and it is indeed a light and pleasant piece that is perfect for an autumn evening.
The piece is in four movements, each of which is based on a popular song of the time. The first movement, “Allegro,” is based on the song “Ich muss dich lassen, mein lieb Hecht,” by Johann Friedrich Fischer. The second movement, “Romanze: Andante,” is based on the song “Ich bin so lang nicht bei dir gewesen,” by Johann Anton Matthias Gesner. The third movement, “Menuetto: Allegretto,” is based on the song “Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust,” by Christian Friederic Daniel Schubart. The fourth and final movement, “Allegro molto,” is based on the song “La ci darem la mano,” by Lorenzo Da Ponte.
Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” is a beautiful and timeless piece that will fill any autumn evening with happiness and joy.
Beethoven- “Symphony No. 5”
Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5” is one of the most popular and well-known classical pieces ever written. The work was composed in 1804-1808 and first performed in 1808. It is considered to be one of Beethoven’s greatest works, and its famous opening four-note motif is one of the most recognizable in all of classical music. “Symphony No. 5” has been adapted for numerous films, television shows, and commercials, and it continues to be a favorite of audiences around the world.
Contemporary Pieces
As the leaves start to change color and the weather gets cooler, many people find themselves in the mood for classical music. There are a lot of great contemporary pieces that are perfect for autumn. Here are some of our favorites.
John Adams- “Short Ride in a Fast Machine”
John Adams is one of the most popular composers of our time, with a career that has spanned over five decades. His music is widely known and loved, and his work “Short Ride in a Fast Machine” is no exception. This piece was written in 1986, and has become one of Adams’ most well-known works. It is a driving, energetic piece that features prominent percussion, making it the perfect choice for a fall classical music playlist.
Philip Glass- “Einstein on the Beach”
“Einstein on the Beach” is a 1976 opera in four acts, composed by Philip Glass. It was his first opera, and is circus-like in its performance, with acrobats, dancers and magicians appearing alongside the singers. The work was originally intended as a performance work for television, but ended up as a five-hour-long piece of music for the stage.
The piece is based on the life of Albert Einstein, and focuses on his relationships with Mileva Marić, his first wife, and Margarita Konenknikova, his second wife. The music is based on Glass’ “open form” style, which uses repetition and variation to create a sense of space and time.
The piece was first performed in 1976 at the Festival d’Avignon, and has since been performed around the world. It has been released on multiple recordings, including a 2016 recording by the Philip Glass Ensemble.
Steve Reich- “Different Trains”
Steve Reich’s “Different Trains” is a contemporary classical piece that evokes the feeling of autumn. The combination of train sounds and Reich’s unique composition style create a haunting and beautiful soundscape.
