5 pieces of perfect, warming classical music

9 October 2019, 19:54 | Updated: 1 November 2019, 16:55

Warming music
Warming music. Picture: Classic FM / Tomine Mikkeline

As the cooler nights of autumn draw in, here are five pieces of music that will keep you warm and toasty

Chopin Nocturnes

On a cold night, Chopin's 21 solo piano nocturnes are musical perfection. They set a wonderful mood with calm, lyrical music, with just the right touch of pianistic flourish and rich harmony. Put these on and let their warmth radiate through the entire house. Here's Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, for added hygge.

Leif Ove Andsnes - Nocturne in F Major, Op. 15 No.1 Official Video

Bach concertos

The gently dancing pulse, full texture and forever-weaving lines of JS Bach makes his music the perfect winter-warmer. We'd go for his concertos to add some coziness when it's needed. We reckon his violin concertos are best served in the morning with the composer's favourite brew: rich, dark coffee.

J.S. Bach: Violin Concerto No.1 In A Minor, BWV 1041 - 1. Allegro moderato

Clara Schumann Piano Concerto

Sometimes the most warming thing is just some straight-up fantastic music. Lyrical, energetic, expressive, with every note and texture perfectly placed, we reckon Clara Schumann's concerto for piano and orchestra will get your toes taping and your heart glowing. There's an exceptional new recording of it by young star pianist Isata Kanneh Mason, who's really championing the Romantic composer's music.

Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 7 - 1. Allegro maestoso

Fauré's cello music

You can't beat the warmth of a cello. With its rich tone, and beautiful, and expressive vibrato, the cello's pretty much the hot chocolate of the orchestra. French composer Gabriel Fauré wrote some exquisite music of this instrument, with long, singing lines. Here's his stunning Sicilienne.

Fauré: Sicilienne - Astrig Siranossian (cello) and Jean-François Zygel (piano)

Tchaikovsky The Seasons

If the temperature is feeling a but Siberian outside, warm yourself with the Russian master's rich, lyrical music. Tchaikovsky will never fail you. The Seasons is a collection of 12 pieces for piano, each evoking a month of the year. The first title is January: At the Fireside, and exquisitely paints a fireplace and the blissful warmth it gives. Let the music take you there:

Tchaikovsky's "The Seasons" complete (Olga Scheps live)

As the days get cooler, Vaillant are the perfect choice for premium boilers that provide you with warmth and comfort to get you through every season's concerto!