Five Classical Pieces for Beginners

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” —Plato

If music moves you in any capacity, you have the ability to love and appreciate classical. Sometimes it just takes a slight nudge in the right direction. It was the dark romanticism of Chopin that inspired me to browse the classical section in my local vinyl shop. That's where I discovered Beethoven's sonatas ("Moonlight," "Pathetique," and "Appassionata") and the whole world seemed to open up.

Over the years, I have added a few others to my favourite collection, and now I can share them with you. I hope they bring you as much melancholy, inspiration, and wistfulness as they have brought to me.

Frederic Chopin was a polish child prodigy who lived in France for the entirety of his adult life. He composed 21 nocturnes, written between 1827 to 1846. They are considered some of the finest short solo pieces for the piano. To me, a non-expert of music, I enjoy their simplicity (compared to other pieces) and profound beauty—the kind of beauty that elicits sadness.

This piece exemplifies how Chopin helped define the Romantic era: "Nocturne Op.9 No.2."

Fun Fact: Chopin's heart was preserved for 168 years inside of a crystal jar filled with Cognac. It was only removed by polish scientists to determine his cause of death (Cystic Fibrosis).

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer during the Baroque Era. His "Cello Suites" were made for a solo cello, and are some of the most commonly performed pieces for the instrument.

Chances are, that you've heard them before; in movies, commercials, and if you have an Android cell phone, you can choose one of them as your alarm or ring tone.

Each one of the "Six Suites" are broken down into six movements. The most common being the prelude to "Cello Suite No. 1."

I first heard this piece in the film The Beginners and immediately Shazamed it. The cello has a very buttery and melancholic sound, and this prelude seems to melt around you, leaving you in a blissful little bubble. Click above to enjoy Yo-Yo Ma play this piece beautifully.

Most people know the name Ludwig van Beethoven, and remember him as the deaf composer (which he was from the age 28 until his death). Although he didn't lose all of it, his ability to compose at all with compromised hearing is nothing less than impressive.

In fact, my favourite Sonata "Moonlight" was composed three years after the incident.

"Moonlight Sonata" (Piano Sonata No. 14) is broken down into three movements. Above is a video of the first movement. Like most pieces I enjoy, it encompasses some somber elements coupled with immense beauty.

Claude Debussy was a French composer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

"Claire de Lune" is the third movement in one of Debussy's most famous Piano Suites, "Suite bergamasque."

This piece is one of the most beautiful I have ever heard—I'm sure I'm not alone in this sentiment. I listen to it on a loop, especially when I crave a calm and warm atmosphere. This is a helpful piece for anyone who has anxiety—enjoy!

Yann Tiersen is a composer, who does not consider himself a part of the classical genre—mainly because he isn't classically trained. He is also still very much alive, and only recently became world-renowned following his composition of the score for the French film Amelie.

Tiersen is a French composer who dabbles in many genres; including, but not limited to, avant-garde, folktronica, and minimal.

I included him in this list because I believe that his work is timeless, much like the other musical pieces I have highlighted here.

His work on Amelie is piano-heavy and, much like the film itself, is delicate and whimsical. If you have not seen the film yet, do so! You will not be disappointed.