The Best Classical Music for a Rainy Day

It’s raining, it’s pouring, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the best classical music around. Check out our top picks for a rainy day.

The best classical music for a rainy day

There’s something about classical music that just makes rainy days feel more romantic and whimsical. If you’re looking for the perfect playlist to set the mood, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best pieces of classical music for a rainy day.

Beethoven – Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 “Pastoral”

One of Beethoven’s most popular symphonies, the “Pastoral” is the perfect rainy day classical music. The symphony is full of charming melodies and beautiful nature imagery. It’s sure to lift your spirits on a rainy day!

Debussy – Clair de lune

Few pieces of classical music are as instantly recognizable as Debussy’s Clair de lune. The delicate, ethereal melody has been used in countless films and TV shows, and has even become something of a pop culture phenomenon in recent years.

But what makes Clair de lune so special? Part of it has to do with the piece’s unique history. Clair de lune was composed in 1890, but wasn’t published until 1905, long after Debussy’s death. The piece was originally part of a much larger work, Suite bergamasque, and only became popular after it was released as a standalone work.

Another reason for Clair de lune’s popularity is its incredible emotional power. The piece is full of longing and nostalgia, and seems to perfectly capture the feeling of a rainy day. It’s the perfect piece of music to curl up with a good book or movie on a rainy afternoon.

Tchaikovsky – 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, originally in four acts, was fashioned from Russian folk tales and tells the story of Siegfried, a young prince who falls in love with Odette, a swan who has been turned into a woman by evil sorcerer Von Rothbart.

With its haunting melody and expansive orchestration, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is the perfect piece of music to set the scene for a rainy day. The opening scenes in particular are evocative of a dark and stormy night, with the sound of raindrops pattering against the windowpane and thunder rumbling in the distance.

The best classical music for a sunny day

Vivaldi – The Four Seasons

There are few pieces of music more synonymous with the sunshine than Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. This baroque classic conjures up images of rolling hills, blue skies and dappled sunlight, making it the perfect accompaniment to a summer’s day.

Mozart – Eine kleine Nachtmusik

This piece was written in 1787 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and is one of his most famous works. It is a serenade for string orchestra, and is in four movements. The first and second movements are in sonata form, while the third is a minuet and trio, and the fourth is a rondo. The piece gets its name from the fact that it was originally written to be performed at night.

Bach – Air on the G String

This famous piece by Bach is the perfect choice for a sunny day. It is light and airy, with a beautiful melody that will lift your spirits.