{"id":11646,"date":"2022-02-01T11:03:45","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T10:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/?p=162652"},"modified":"2022-02-01T11:19:18","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T10:19:18","slug":"relaxing-piano-music-the-most-soothing-pieces-in-classical-music","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/relaxing-piano-music-the-most-soothing-pieces-in-classical-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Relaxing piano music: the most soothing pieces in classical music"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Tokio Myers\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 01 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

These piano works have become my refuge \u2013 a safe place to retreat to when life gets difficult. I take them with me wherever I go, whether it\u2019s to my local shop or travelling to the other side of the world.<\/p>\n

The most relaxing pieces of piano music<\/h2>\n

Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, Variation 18<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rachmaninov has created a wonderful journey piece based on a set of variations on Paganini\u2019s Caprice No. 24, originally written for violin. When you listen closely, you hear how Rachmaninov very cleverly inverts the melody theme. In other words, the A minor Paganini theme is literally played \u2018upside down\u2019 in D\u266d major. Rachmaninov himself recognised the appeal of this variation, saying \u2018This one is for my agent!\u2019. The best way to experience this piece is to sit back, close your eyes and allow it to pull gently on your heart strings.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Recommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Stephen Hough (piano), Dallas Symphony Orchestra\/Andrew Litton<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Rachmaninov-Piano-Concertos-stephen-Hough\/dp\/B0002VYF4Y\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><div class=\""monetizerprice-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizerprice-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"Rachmaninov\" piano=\"\" concertos=\"\" stephen=\"\" hough=\"\" dallas=\"\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <p>We included this in our round-up of the <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/best-recordings-rachmaninovs-rhapsody-theme-paganini\/"\"><strong>best recordings of Rachmaninov\u2019s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5: II. Adagio un poco mosso<\/h3>\n<p>This piece is more commonly known as the Emperor Concerto, and for good reason. Beethoven perfectly captured the feeling of a momentous royal occasion: this movement is steeped in melodic beauty, to be played with grace and delicate control.<\/p>\n<iframe title=\""Jan\" lisiecki=\"\" beethoven:=\"\" piano=\"\" concerto=\"\" no.=\"\" ii.=\"\" adagio=\"\" un=\"\" poco=\"\" mosso=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0KRSx1lpjT8?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p><strong>Recommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Krystian Zimerman (piano), London Symphony Orchestra\/Simon Rattle<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Beethoven-Krystian-Zimerman-Symphony-Orchestra\/dp\/B08PXB9HTZ\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><div class=\""monetizerprice-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizerprice-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"Beethoven:\" complete=\"\" piano=\"\" concertos=\"\" krystian=\"\" zimerman=\"\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <h3>Satie: Gymnop\u00e9die No. 1<\/h3>\n<p>One of three wonderful pieces first published in Paris in 1888, Satie claimed that his Gymnop\u00e9dies were inspired by reading Gustave Flaubert\u2019s novel <em>Salammb\u00f4<\/em>. The novel\u2019s themes of lust, freedom and death make it a great source of material for the composer. Part of what makes this particular Gymnop\u00e9die really sing for me is its simplicity.<\/p>\n<iframe title=\""Khatia\" buniatishvili=\"\" erik=\"\" satie:=\"\" gymnop=\"\" no.1=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TL0xzp4zzBE?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p><strong>Recommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Noriko Ogawa (piano)<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Satie-Piano-Music-Noriko-BIS2215\/dp\/B01G3MV27I\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><div class=\""monetizerprice-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizerprice-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"Satie:\" piano=\"\" music=\"\" vol.=\"\" noriko=\"\" ogawa=\"\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <h3><strong>Eyd\u00eds Evensen: Bylur<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Eyd\u00eds Evensen\u2019s Icelandic roots have had a profound impact on her music. She is a classically trained pianist and a post-classical composer. The natural world that surrounded her in Iceland continues to be at the heart of her music to this day. During grey days in London, this sense of being immersed in natural beauty is much needed! Evensen creates mournful, sophisticated, melancholic arrangements that have a notable beauty and are driven by her emotions. She represents moments of her life through the music: much like a snowstorm, there are ups and downs, chaos and calm.<\/p>\n<iframe title=\""Eyd\u00eds\" evensen=\"\" bylur=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FBtqsA2BqHU?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p><strong>Recommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Eyd\u00eds Evensen<br\/>\nBylur<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Bylur-Eyd%C3%ADs-Evensen\/dp\/B08XZ4577X\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><div class=\""monetizerprice-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizerprice-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"Eydis\" evensen=\"\" bylur=\"\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <h3><strong>Max Richter: The Departure<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It would be hard not to mention Max Richter when you\u2019re thinking about soothing piano works. Departure is such a powerful theme: it\u2019s one that can really transport you to another place emotionally, almost within an instant. For me, Max Richter\u2019s <em>The Departure<\/em> is one of the most uplifting forms of melancholy created in recent years, capturing both dark and light with such care and precision.<\/p>\n<iframe title=\""The\" departure=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""150"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DmQmepDPg6I?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\n<p><strong>Recommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Max Richter<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Leftovers-vinyl-Original-Soundtrack-Richter\/dp\/B00ZFOUR04\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><div class=\""monetizerprice-comparison-container"\" data-position=\""adhoc"\" hidden=\"\"> <h5 class=\""monetizerprice-comparison-title\" monetizer-title=\"\" style=\""background-color:\" color:=\"\"\/> <div id=\""monetizer__deals"\" data-type=\""price-comparison"\" data-config=\"'{"shopId":"1378","market":"gbp_en","template":"default","searchKeywords":"Max\" richter=\"\" the=\"\" leftovers=\"\"\/> <div class=\""monetizer__price-comparison-explanatory-text\" body-copy-extra-small=\"\" editor-content=\"\"\/><\/div> <p><em>BBC\u2019s Piano Flow with Tokio Myers is available to listen to now on <a href=\""https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/m0013jrf"\"><strong>BBC<\/strong><\/a><\/em><em><a href=\""https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/m0013jrf"\"><strong> Radio 3<\/strong><\/a> and <strong><a href=\""https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds\/play\/m000y7mk"\">BBC Sounds<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<iframe title=\""Spotify\" embed:=\"\" our=\"\" generation=\"\" width=\""100%"\" height=\""380"\" style=\""[object\" object=\"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\""autoplay;\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" fullscreen=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" src=\""https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/3Tg73QKlrAjOmlFHc4qlN1?si=bmAjzteSRnm6JdlPKzBkSg&utm_source=oembed"\"\/><\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Tokio Myers Published: Tuesday, 01 February 2022 at 12:00 am These piano works have become my refuge \u2013 a safe place to retreat to when life gets difficult. I take them with me wherever I go, whether it\u2019s to my local shop or travelling to the other side of the world. The most relaxing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":11647,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"3"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/02\/relaxing-piano-music-the-most-soothing-pieces-in-classical-music-scaled.jpg",2560,1709,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/02\/relaxing-piano-music-the-most-soothing-pieces-in-classical-music-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/02\/relaxing-piano-music-the-most-soothing-pieces-in-classical-music-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/02\/relaxing-piano-music-the-most-soothing-pieces-in-classical-music-768x513.jpg",768,513,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/02\/relaxing-piano-music-the-most-soothing-pieces-in-classical-music-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/02\/relaxing-piano-music-the-most-soothing-pieces-in-classical-music-1536x1025.jpg",1536,1025,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/02\/relaxing-piano-music-the-most-soothing-pieces-in-classical-music-2048x1367.jpg",2048,1367,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Tokio Myers Published: Tuesday, 01 February 2022 at 12:00 am These piano works have become my refuge \u2013 a safe place to retreat to when life gets difficult. I take them with me wherever I go, whether it\u2019s to my local shop or travelling to the other side of the world. The most relaxing…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/11646"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}