In today’s world, music is a building block of life, ranging from bass-heavy jams while driving to Taylor Swift’s albums at karaoke night. But much of this music is overly distracting for studying, leaving many students without a proper study environment.
Classical music, however, remedies this underlying problem. Although quite often labeled as “boring,” the right classical music can make all the difference when it comes to boosting motivation or productivity. With that in mind, here are the top 6 classical pieces for speed-running assignments!
Shostakovich – String Quartet No. 8, Movement II
No other piece even comes close to matching the fury of Movement II of Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8. Despite clocking in at around 3 minutes, this movement is a pure, unadulterated frenzy, ideal for locking in during the midnight hours. Its intense tempo creates the perfect sense of urgency, pushing for more efficiency and productivity. For a longer motivation boost, it can be paired with movement III, which adds more variation and complexity while maintaining a similar intensity.
Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
With over 30 minutes of intense yet relaxing music, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 is perfect for long homework assignments or late-night cram sessions. Starting off with come subtle chords, this piece quickly grows into a flurry of piano and strings complemented by strong brass crescendos. Its usage of a minor key brings about a solemn yet still urgent feeling, and with its drastic tempo changes, it creates the perfect sense of determination necessary for “locking in” before a test.
Tchaikovsky – Marche slave in B-flat minor, Op. 31
The third Russian/Soviet-born composer on this list is Tchaikovsky, whose music is renowned worldwide. His Marche Slave is at the perfect length near 10 minutes and brings with the same level of dramatic climaxes as the two above. Starting off slow and solemn yet irritated, the piece quickly adds instrumentation, picks up speed and grows into a furious eruption of music. It also grows quieter and more melodic near the middle of the piece, which serves as the perfect break before the final, striking climax of the piece.
Dvořák – Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178 (The “New World Symphony”)
Dvořák’s four-movement symphony is over 45 minutes long, but each movement presents a new feeling. Movements I and II are calmer and serene, perfect for de-stressing after a long day at school. Movement III starts to bring out the ferocity waiting in Movement IV, which is the dramatic and furious conclusion to the symphony. For those looking only for aggressive, motivating pieces, Movement IV has over 11 minutes of intensity to offer. As a whole, Dvorak’s New World Symphony is less aggressive and more soothing than previous pieces.
Sibelius – Finlandia, Op. 26
Finlandia is 9 minutes of pure, heart-wrenching emotion. Written as a protest against Russian censorship, Sibelius poured ferocious climaxes and crashes into this piece as a way of representing the suffering of the Finnish people. Although much slower than many of the previous pieces, the sheer volume and emotion of this piece more than compensate for the tempo. The incredible balance between the brass and the orchestra enriches this already vivid composition.
Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565
In a much different style than all of the others, Toccata and Fugue is an organ solo rather than a full orchestra piece. The organ’s wide range adds texture, ranging from heavy low notes to fast-moving high notes (and often both simultaneously). The speed and technicality of the piece are perfect for creating a sense of urgency and motivation and pair well with the intensity of Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8.
