CC Logo A Public Service of USC
Schedule
HostsWays to Give
Donate
Loading profile
HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsEventsOn DemandOur StoryOur TeamWays to Give Become a Sponsor
How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

Find Us on Social Media

CC Logo White Horizontal A Public Service of USC

Download Our Mobile App

Google Play Icon

About

HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsOn DemandOur StoryOur Team

Community

EventsWays to Give Become a SponsorPressDiversity StatementCareersKUSC EEO ReportKDFC EEO ReportDigital Accessibility

Help

How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

Find Us on Social Media

Sweepstakes RulesKUSC Local Public FilesKDFC Local Public FilesPrivacy PolicyCode of Integrity

©2026 Classical California

Nature-Pine-Rain-e1520550803382.jpg

articles / Chopin

A Closer Look at Music Inspired by Rain

ChopinDebussyThe Great OutdoorsNatureWater MusicPop Culture

With all the rain we’re currently enjoying, I thought it’d be fun to take a closer look at music inspired by liquid precipitation. One thinks immediately of Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude, composed on a stormy afternoon in Mallorca, and Debussy’s impressionistic Jardins sous la pluie (Gardens in the Rain).

The piano is often called upon to evoke the sound of rain. Makes sense, but there are also pieces about rain for cello (Gretchen Yanover), for clarinet (Helen Habershon).

And there’s the Oscar-winning soundtrack music from The Last Emperor: Rain by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

What other “Rain” pieces can you think of? Make a request here!

ChopinDebussyThe Great OutdoorsNatureWater MusicPop Culture
Written by:
Host - Dianne Nicolini
Dianne Nicolini
Published on 10.21.2021

MORE LIKE THIS

Stephen-Hough-PC-Sim-Canetty-Clarke.jpg

Pre-Performance Rituals with Pianist Stephen Hough

Pianist Stephen Hough shares his unique approach to practice, avoiding rituals and ensuring equal attention to all parts of a piece, rather than starting from the beginning.

02/04/2020
rain-6x9.jpg

Inspired by the Rain

Explore how composers like Chopin, Debussy, and Beethoven have used music to depict rain and thunderstorms, from gentle drizzles to intense downpours.

05/11/2018
lines-speech-6x9.jpg

A Dance Inspired by Lost Languages

Alonzo King LINES Ballet premieres 'Figures of Speech', a performance exploring the loss of world languages, inspired by Bob Holman's work. Runs until May 14th at Yerba Buena Center.

05/05/2017
Sheet-Music-Piano.jpg

A Look at Meter and Measures

Explore the role of meter and measures in music composition, from the common 4/4 time to the waltz's 3/4, with examples from Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Bernstein.

01/13/2017
vireo.jpg

A Look at “The Spiritual Biography of a Witch’s Accuser”

"Vireo: The Spiritual Biography of a Witch’s Accuser" is a unique opera filmed in episodic format. Created by Lisa Bielawa and Erik Ehn, it explores a young girl's visions throughout history.

01/13/2017
sheet-music.jpg

A Look at Musical Notation

Explore the evolution of musical notation from the middle ages to modern times, highlighting its efficiency in conveying a composer's intent and its adaptability across various musical styles.

01/13/2017