Yes, I Like Classical Music... #1

...no, I'm not old.

In this ALL-NEW BLOG SERIES (cue the jingly music), I will be discussing and suggesting different types of classical music, from Mozart to Debussy.

Today's episode is called...Spotlight On Piano!

The piano is undoubtedly the most popular classical instrument (I don't have any actual evidence to support this, I'm just assuming). The following is a list of piano songs that even people who DON'T enjoy classical music will absolutely LOVE.

1. The Equation, Chad Seiter

This song appears on the Fringe Season 1 soundtrack. The song itself has an air of mystery upon it. It features gorgeous chords, of both the minor and major variety. While this isn't Bach, it is an endearing piano song that is complex on paper, but simple and pleasing to the ear. Also, if you haven't seen the show Fringe, you should go stream all five seasons of it immediately. Seriously. Stop reading this. Time is of the essence! Go! Oh, and listen to the song first!

2. Italian Aria, L'Orchestra Numerique

This song is slow and contemplative. It is featured on The Music of Jane Austen album, which is an amalgam of songs from the several Jane Austen book-to-movie adaptations. Italian Aria is from the movie Persuasion. It's the kind of song you'd expect to hear in a scene where the main character is pondering something important. The song itself is typically classic, with a melody and refrain-like sections. It is, in a strange way, somewhat similar to The Equation, with its mix of minor and major chords.

3. Comptine d'un autre été, l'après-midi, Yann Tiersen

Translated into English, the title is "Rhyme of another summer afternoon." And it truly does sound like a song you'd hear while enjoying a beautiful summer day. The song is on the Amélie soundtrack. This song is distinctly melodic, and features major chords. It, like many piano solos, sounds deceptively easy, but is complicated on sheet music. It is a beautiful song that makes its listeners want to run to the nearest piano and start to play.

4. Claire de Lune, Claude Debussy

Hey, look, an actual classic! Debussy was a French composer that composed a variety of famous classical pieces. His compositions are described as Impressionist, and Claire de Lune is no different. This song is twinkly and light, and can lull you right to sleep. It is more harmonic than melodic, and is in a major key. Like most of Debussy's works, Claire de Lune is gorgeous. And an actual classical piece! Not a soundtrack song (although those are fabulous too!)

These four songs make up the Classical Piano 101 Guide, if you will! They are all available on Spotify, so go get them! :)

Stay tuned for the next episode of Yes, I Like Classical Music...!

#classicalmusic