Hello and welcome to A Lotus Girl blog. Today, we live in a world full of stress and anxiety, with constantly busy and exhausting atmospheres, and we often neglect our need for rest and relaxation. Since ancient times, music has been the art through which people express what is in their hearts to find peace, as if it plays with their emotions—sometimes stirring up anger and confidence, and at other times fading into shyness and submission until silence finally prevails, and so does the peace in the listener’s heart.
Since many global scientific studies have been published about the effect of music on human psychology, showing that it induces relaxation, I have chosen for you 9 favorite classical violin pieces (or pieces played by the violin), written by some of the most prestigious composers in the history of classical music. You can listen to them before bed, in the morning, during romantic dates, or simply whenever you need a little emotional impact along with tranquility and inner peace. I have also included the touching story behind each musical piece and what it tries to express, so even if you have heard some of the recommended music below, I advise you to listen to it again after reading its story as it will not be the same. I hope you enjoy reading and have peaceful moments!
Best9 Classical Violin Pieces to Make You Feel Totally Relaxed + The stories behind them
“Meditation” from “Thaïs” by Jules Massenet
The piece “Meditation” for violin is part of the opera Thaïs by the French composer Jules Massenet, first performed in 1894. This opera, based on a novel by the writer Anatole France, is set in ancient Egypt during the Roman Empire. It tells the story of a monk named Athaniel who seeks to persuade the Alexandrian courtesan Thaïs to abandon her material and sensual life in favor of Christianity.
After hearing the piece “Meditation,” which reflects deep spiritual and emotional contemplation, Thaïs decides to abandon her previous life and follow Athaniel to a monastery near the desert. However, as the story unfolds, the monk later discovers that his obsession with her was driven by lust, while Thaïs’s pure heart reveals the true nature of the monk.
This classical violin piece is not just a reflection of calm , but also a profound expression of inner spiritual conflict.
“Melodie” by Gluck
The German composer Christoph Willibald Gluck wrote the piece “Melodie” in 1774, based on his opera Orpheus and Eurydice, which premiered in 1762. The opera is based on the Greek myth of the same name, where Orpheus, endowed with magical and supernatural powers, influences nature, life, and death through his lyre.
Orpheus’s love for his wife Eurydice, known for her enchanting beauty, drives him to undertake a challenging journey to the underworld after her untimely death. When Eurydice is bitten by a snake and dies, Orpheus plays the most beautiful melodies to convince the god of death, Hades, and his wife to release Eurydice.
Hades agrees, but on the condition that Orpheus must not look back at Eurydice until they are out of the underworld, or she will be lost forever. Tragically, Orpheus, one step away from the light, is overcome by his desire and looks back, causing Eurydice to fall into hell forever. Ultimately, Orpheus learns to live with the memory of his beloved.
This classical violin piece, though outside the opera’s context, beautifully captures the romantic and deep emotional feelings of Orpheus’s journey.
“The Swan” by Saint-Saëns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiameXilo6k
The piece “The Swan” by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns was published in 1887 and is the thirteenth of fourteen pieces that make up Carnival of the Animals, which Saint-Saëns began composing in 1885. In fact, Saint-Saëns wrote Carnival of the Animals purely for enjoyment and did not allow it to be published during his lifetime, fearing criticism that might affect his serious compositional image.
However, he made one exception: “The Swan,” originally written for cello and two pianos, was later arranged for various instruments, including the violin. This impressionistic piece reflects moments of calm and contemplation, conveying a sense of peace and refinement. It vividly portrays the lightness and grace of swans in the water.
Interestingly, ancient Greek myths claimed that the silent swan remains silent until the last moments of its life, during which it sings the most beautiful bird song. “The Swan” is indeed a classical violin piece that captures this serene and graceful imagery.
“Clair de Lune” by Debussy
Claude Debussy, a French composer, wrote one of his most important pieces, “Clair de Lune,” for piano in 1890, and revised it in 1905. This piece was inspired by a poem of the same name by Paul Verlaine from his collection Fêtes galantes, which in turn is based on paintings by the French artist Jean-Antoine Watteau.
Debussy, Verlaine, and Watteau were all influenced by Symbolism, a movement that sought to transcend the obvious and search for hidden meanings. Everything in this movement is seen as a symbol of something else, requiring indirect understanding through the subconscious.
Watteau depicted court life and love in an elegant and sensitive style in an idealized rural setting. Verlaine’s poem describes a scene filled with disguised characters playing the lute and dancing under the moonlight, as if they feel sadness beneath their masks. This melancholic and beautiful music expresses the triumphs of life and love, even as these people lack genuine faith in their happiness.
Ultimately, Debussy composed this classical violin piece to create a dreamy and expressive atmosphere that reflects the emotional and symbolic aspects central to the art and literature of that time.
“Liebesträume” by Liszt
The Hungarian composer and great pianist Franz Liszt published Liebesträume, or “Dreams of Love,” for piano in 1850. Written in his unique romantic style, the piece is based on poems by German poets Ludwig Uhland and Ferdinand Freiligrath. The composition is divided into three sections: the sublime love, which is sacred or spiritual; the passionate love based on desire; and finally, the pure and eternal mature love.
The third section, the most famous, reflects the poem “Oh, Love as Long as You Can,” which is the longest among the three poems. This classical violin piece speaks of cherishing every moment spent with a loved one, as one day they will depart.
The music of the third part expresses romantic feelings and takes the listener on a dreamy journey filled with emotion and romance, with sensitive and intense melodies that reflect longing and deep love.
“Lacrimosa” by Mozart
Mozart’s “Lacrimosa” is a well-known piece that has been interpreted by various instruments, including the violin. You can read the story behind Mozart’s “Lacrimosa” here.
“Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven
The “Moonlight Sonata” was composed by the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven between 1801 and 1802 during the Classical period. Beethoven wrote the piece for piano when he was thirty years old and began to lose his hearing for unknown reasons that are still not fully understood.
He dedicated it to his beloved student, Giulietta Guicciardi, whom he proposed to, but his heart was broken when her father rejected him due to his lack of noble titles. The sonata was not known as “Moonlight” at that time; this name was given after Beethoven’s death, five years later, in 1832.
Although Beethoven was disappointed that the sonata gained fame while he was still alive—believing he had composed much better pieces—today, the “Moonlight Sonata” still symbolizes love and emotion. It has been arranged for various instruments besides the piano, including the violin, making it a classical violin piece that resonates with many.
“Three Romances” by Clara Schumann
Clara Schumann, a German composer, was one of the most significant figures in classical music history, particularly during her time when composition was solely the domain of men. Clara was not only a talented composer but also a virtuoso pianist.
At the age of 21, she married the renowned composer Robert Schumann, who abandoned his law career to study music after being inspired by her talent. The couple were among the leading musicians in Vienna during the Romantic era of music. Clara composed her Three Romances for piano and violin between 1852 and 1853, during her husband’s stay in a mental asylum after he attempted to end his life.
During this period, she was close to their mutual friend, the composer Johannes Brahms, who was passionately in love with Clara, although she did not reciprocate his feelings—at least, not outwardly.
Nevertheless, this classical violin piece undoubtedly reflects Clara’s emotions and her romantic life, which was influenced by the greatest love triangle in classical music history. Three Romances reflects the beauty of the romantic spirit in music and was one of Clara Schumann’s last compositions. After her husband’s death in the asylum in 1856, Clara Schumann abandoned composition, sadly convinced that it was not a suitable profession for women. However, she continued to perform her late husband’s works, and she and Brahms remained friends until the end of their lives.
“Lullaby” by Brahms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmqJwzvBVx4
In the previous section, we discussed the German composer Johannes Brahms, who loved Clara Schumann despite not proposing marriage to her. However, Brahms did not let his personal struggles inhibit his creativity. Instead, he channeled his emotions into his work, creating one of the most beloved classical violin pieces of all time.
After returning to Vienna at the age of twenty-five, Brahms fell in love with the singer and pianist Bertha Faber. They often went for walks together, and Bertha would sing Brahms’s piece Nanny, a lullaby he had composed. As their relationship became more serious, Brahms fled again, breaking off with Bertha, despite her being the love of his life.
During this period, Brahms struggled with a lack of compositions. However, when he met Bertha again after ten years, she was married with a child and another on the way. Brahms found no outlet for expressing his broken heart except through music, so he composed “Lullaby” in 1868 and dedicated it to Bertha’s second child.
Although “Lullaby” is a calm song sung to children to help them sleep, it also carried a hidden message of love for his unforgettable love. He embedded within its melodies the song “Nanny,” which Bertha used to sing to him. The piece “Lullaby” reflects a deep sense of tenderness and calm, expressing the love, care, and reassurance that parents give their child.
And that’s the end of the article. Thank you for reading. If you liked the article, don’t forget to share it with your friends. Write to us in the comments about your favorite classical piece. Also, let us know if you’d like a second part of a list of classical music that helps you relax when you listen to it.
Read More:
References:
Meditation from Thais – Jules Massenet
Three Romances – Clara Schuman
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