Winter has long been a season that inspires reflection, wonder, and creativity. The serene landscapes of snow-covered fields, the crisp chill in the air, and the festive gatherings of the season create a unique atmosphere that has captivated composers for centuries. Classical music, with its profound ability to evoke emotion and paint vivid sonic pictures, offers the perfect soundtrack for this magical time of year.
From the delicate frost depicted in Baroque concertos to the stormy winds of the Romantic era's great symphonies, the classical repertoire is rich with pieces that mirror the beauty and complexity of winter. Whether you’re looking to embrace the coziness of a warm fire, revel in the icy majesty of the season, or immerse yourself in the festive spirit, classical music has something to offer.
This article explores some of the best classical works to accompany your winter days. These pieces not only capture the essence of the season but also provide moments of introspection, joy, and awe, making them the ideal companions for cold, snowy nights or brisk, sunlit mornings. Let the music carry you into the heart of winter’s splendour.
Best classical music for winter
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
This two-act ballet is a winter classic. Word reaches us that the top US ballet companies earn around 40% of their yearly ticket revenue from this Tchaikovsky showstopper!
The Nutcracker premiered on 18 December 1892, and was judged harshly by its first audiences. However, with its entrancing characters, its Christmas Eve setting and its depiction of family and friends, this delightful masterpiece is the perfect work to warm you up during the coldest evenings of winter.
Read our reviews of the latest Tchaikovsky recordings
Joseph Haydn: ‘Winter’ from The Seasons
‘Winter’, from Joseph Haydn's 1801 oratorio The Seasons, is a suitable work to accompany those dark and chilly nights this season. Strangely, there are documents that suggest the composer was dissatisfied with sections of the libretto; written in the margins of one of the scores, Haydn allegedly said that he was ‘forced to write this Frenchified trash’.
Despite Haydn’s possible reservations, the scale of this work alone is impressive enough. With the oratorio’s grand orchestration – which includes an alto, tenor and bass trombone, as well as three solo voices – the scale of this work will complement the imposing snowstorms and fog that cloaks the landscape at this time of year!
Read our reviews of the latest Haydn recordings
JS Bach: Christmas Oratorio
Now it’s time for some uplifting winter music…. Far from the bleak and dreary nights, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio opens with an overwhelming sense of energy and joy. The work was written for the 1734 Christmas period; the oratorio traces the Nativity story from the birth of Christ through to the adoration of the Magi. What better way to cheer up a wintry afternoon?! Surely one of the best pieces of classical music for the winter season.
JS Bach finished high in our ranking of the greatest composers of all time
Read our reviews of the latest Bach recordings
Felix Mendelssohn: ‘Vom Himmel hoch’
This cantata opens with a chorus entitled ‘From Heaven’; whether you are watching the rain fall, or even the snow, this work’s vivacious opening should lift your spirits! Mendelssohn was evidently entranced by the winter season, since he composed numerous works with a title or subject based upon this time of year.
If you are seeking further merriment to complement the falling snow, look no further than Mendelssohn’s Six Christmas Pieces, Op. 72, and – of course – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!
Here are our reviews of the latest Mendelssohn recordings. And did you know that Fanny Mendelssohn, Felix's sister, was also a seriously gifted composer?
More of the best classical music for winter
Sergei Prokofiev: ‘Troika’ from Lieutenant Kijé Suite
Prokofiev’s score was originally intended to accompany a film, but as a result of the work’s success, the composer released a five-movement suite. Premiered in December 1934, this is another cheerful take on the year's coldest season. The ‘Troika’, the penultimate movement of the suite, features sleigh bells and pizzicato strings, both of which contribute to the image of the three-horse sled that Prokofiev intends to evoke.
Franz Liszt: Christmas Tree Suite
Keeping the Christmas spirit alive, Liszt dedicated this set of 12 piano pieces to his first granddaughter. The work was premiered on Christmas Day, 1881. The location of the premiere? His granddaughter’s hotel room. What a gift to receive at Christmas, and what a way to celebrate the beauty of the winter season by listening to this fantastic work!
Franz Schubert: Winterreise
We end with a piece that summons up a rather different picture of winter. Schubert's 1827 song cycle sets to music poems by Wilhelm Müller. It is one of the pinnacles of the German Lieder tradition, showcasing Schubert's profound ability to express deep human emotion through music.
The song cycle narrates the journey (both physical and emotional) of its heartbroken protagonist, as he wanders through a cold winter landscape after being rejected by his love. The bleak, midwinter landscapes serve as an eloquent metaphor for his despairing internal emotional state.
Key songs include the opener 'Gute Nacht' (Good Night), in which the protagonist bids farewell to his former life, and 'Der Lindenbaum' (The Linden Tree), a bittersweet memory of comfort and longing. 'Die Krähe' (The Crow) is a haunting meditation on death, before Winterreise reaches its bleak conclusion with 'Der Leiermann' (The Hurdy-Gurdy Man), whose titular character symbolizes resignation - or death. Here's the great Dietrich FIscher-Dieskau performing the latter:
