8 pieces of classical music inspired by Autumn
The changing of the seasons, and the weather it brings with it, has inspired many wonderful pieces of classical music.
Autumn, with its golden leaves and misty mornings, is here.
8. Amy Beach - In Autumn
Four Sketches Op. 15 (1892)
No. 1 In Autumn
Each piece starts with a quote from a French poet.
POEM: “L’automne” by Alphonse de Lamartine “With yellowing leaves scattered on lawns”
KEY: F-sharp minor. It is a dance-like work in a minor mode suggesting nostalgia and melancholy for the fall season.
Level 2 Early Intermediate
Check out Amy Beach’s other pieces from Four Sketches:
PHANTOMS ★ DREAMING ★ FIREFLIES
each pieces has:
sheet music (“sheet music” page)
recording (“listening” page)
video tutorial (on YouTube)
🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁
7. Alexander Glazunov - Petit Adagio
The Seasons, Op. 67 (1899)
Tableau 4: A Landscape in Autumn
“Leaves from autumn trees rain upon their merriment”
The primary melody is presented, developed, then carried forth by various voices before each ascends, then dissolves, signifying the falling of the autumn leaves.
Level 2 Early Intermediate
🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁
6. Modest Mussorgsky - Baba Yaga
Pictures at an Exhibition (1874)
No. 9 “The Hut on Fowl’s Legs” is a
nightmarish portrayal of the
cackling witch Baba-Yaga
on the prowl for her prey.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
free SHEET MUSIC
Level 2 Early Intermediate
🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁
5. Wilson G. Smith - Wayside Flowers
Autumn Sketches (1912)
No. 3 Wayside Flowers
Wilson G. Smith’s book, Autumn Sketches, includes poetry and illustrations
A book of Autumnal impressions for the piano
SHEET MUSIC video tutorial coming soon!
Level 2 Early Intermediate
🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁
4. Edward Macdowell
Woodland Sketches (1895)
No. 8 A Deserted Farm
SHEET MUSIC
video tutorial coming soon!
Level 2 Early Intermediate
🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁
3. Antonio Vivaldi
The Four Seasons (1718)
No. 3 Autumn, III. Allegro
SHEET MUSIC
video tutorial coming soon!
Level 1 Easy
🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁
2. Pyotr Tchakovsky - October
The Seasons, Op. 37 (1875)
No. 10 October: Autumn Song
“Autumn, our poor garden is all falling down,
the yellowed leaves are flying in the wind.” -Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy
Level 2 Early Intermediate
🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁 🍁
1. Fanny Mendelssohn - November
Das Jahr “The Year” (1841)
No. 11 “November”
“The trees are already rustling as though it is winter, The dreams of life are fleeing away,
– From “Trauer” by Ludwig Tieck
Level 3 Intermediate