The Best Classical Music to Study By

It’s no secret that classical music can be beneficial to studying. But what are the best pieces to listen to? Here’s a list of the best classical music to study by!

The Mozart Effect

While there’s no concrete evidence that listening to Mozart makes you smarter, the so-called “Mozart effect” has been well-documented. In a 1991 study, University of California researchers found that college students who listened to Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major (K.448) performed better on spatial-temporal reasoning tests than those who listened to relaxation instructions or sat in silence.

Since then, the Mozart effect has been debunked by some and embraced by others. But one thing is certain: classical music can be extremely beneficial for students who need to focus while studying. If you’re looking for the best classical music to study by, we recommend these 10 pieces:

1. “Für Elise” by Ludwig van Beethoven
2. “Piano Sonata No. 11 in A Major, K. 331” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
3. “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy
4. “TheFour Seasons: Spring” by Antonio Vivaldi
5. “Canon in D Major” by Johann Pachelbel
6. “The Nutcracker Suite” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
7. “Symphony No. 5 in C Minor” by Ludwig van Beethoven
8. “Swan Lake Suite” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
9. “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
10. “Pomp and Circumstance Marches” by Edward Elgar

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is widely considered one of the best pieces of classical music to study by. The piece is very complex and requires great concentration to follow. However, the rewards for listener are great, as the music is extremely beautiful and moving.

Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of what classical music is best for studying, but if we had to choose just one work, it would be Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier. This massive collection of 48 preludes and fugues is not only a great way to familiarize yourself with the works of one of the greatest composers of all time, but it’s also an excellent tool for honing your focus and concentration.

Each prelude and fugue in The Well-Tempered Clavier is in a different key, so you’ll get a good overview of the major and minor keys as you work your way through the work. And because Bach was such a master of counterpoint, you’ll also get a crash course in how to write and listen for strong melodic lines.

So whether you’re looking to expand your classical music knowledge or just looking for some focused background noise, be sure to give Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier a try.

Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake

Swan Lake is a ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875–76. Despite its initial failure, it is now one of the most popular ballets of all time. The scenario, initially in two acts, was fashioned from Russian folk tales and tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse. The ballet was premiered by the Bolshoi Ballet on 20 February 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Although it is presented in many different versions, most ballets follow the original staging by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, first performed in St. Petersburg in 1895.

Swan Lake is one of Tchaikovsky’s most popular works and has become one of ballet’s most enduring classics. It tells the story of Odette, a young woman who is turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse. The ballet features some of Tchaikovsky’s most famous music, including the “Swan Theme” and the “Dance of the Little Swans”.

Other Suggestions

In addition to the pieces of classical music specifically chosen for their ability to help with concentration and focus, there are other genres and pieces of music that can have a positive effect on studying. Again, it is important to find what works best for you personally, as different people will respond to different types of music. But here are a few other suggestions to get you started:

-Jazz: While not strictly classical music, many pieces of jazz have a similar feel and can be just as helpful for studying. Try Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” or John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme.”
-Baroque: This period of classical music is characterized by its simplicity and is often very peaceful and relaxing. Try Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major” or Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.”
-Romantic: Romantic-era classical music is often more emotional than other genres, but can still be very beautiful and rewarding to listen to. Try Chopin’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor” or Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 6 in B Minor ( Pathétique).