A storm is the loudest thing in nature, and an orchestra can copy it. Drums become thunder, a piccolo becomes lightning, and the low strings become wind. This page lists 15 pieces about weather, with the storms first.
Thunderstorms
“Thunderstorm” from Symphony No. 6, by Beethoven. A few drops fall in the violins. Then the storm breaks. The cellos and double basses growl, the timpani thunder, and a piccolo shrieks like lightning. This is the only movement of the symphony where the timpani play. The next movement is a shepherd’s song of thanks after the storm. Read Beethoven for kids. See the Pastoral Symphony guide.
“Summer” from The Four Seasons, last movement, by Vivaldi. A hailstorm flattens the crops. The violins saw away as fast as they can. See the Four Seasons listening guide.
The storm from the William Tell Overture, by Rossini. The overture has four parts: dawn, a storm, a calm song for the cows, and the famous gallop. The storm starts with drops in the woodwinds. Read the William Tell Overture guide.
“Cloudburst” from the Grand Canyon Suite, by Grofé. A storm in the desert. Grofé asked for a wind machine and a sheet of metal that a player shakes for thunder. Read Ferde Grofé for kids.
“Thunder and Lightning” Polka, by Johann Strauss II. A storm for fun. The drum is the thunder, and the cymbals are the lightning. Game: jump at every crash.
“Storm” from Four Sea Interludes, by Britten. A storm on the coast of England, with brass that snarls.
Wind
“Winter Wind,” by Chopin. A piano study. After a slow, quiet opening, the right hand rushes down the keys.
“What the West Wind Saw,” by Debussy. A piano piece about a wild wind off the ocean.
An Alpine Symphony, by Richard Strauss. A day of climbing a mountain, from before dawn to after dark. The storm near the end uses a wind machine, a thunder machine, and an organ.
Rain
“Raindrop” Prelude, by Chopin. One note taps all the way through.
“Gardens in the Rain,” by Debussy. Quick notes patter on leaves.
“Cloudburst,” by Eric Whitacre. A piece for choir from the 1990s. The singers snap their fingers and clap to make the rain. Game: try it at home with the whole family.
Clouds, fog, and snow
“Clouds,” by Debussy. The first of his three Nocturnes for orchestra. Slow chords drift, and nothing hurries.
“The Snow Is Dancing,” by Debussy. Soft, quick piano notes fall one at a time. Read winter classical music for kids.
The sun comes out
“Morning Mood,” by Grieg. A calm sunrise for flute and oboe. Read the Peer Gynt Suite guide.
“Shepherd’s Song” from Symphony No. 6, by Beethoven. A clarinet and a horn call across the valley after the storm. Play it right after the “Thunderstorm.”
Which instrument is the weather?
| Weather | Instruments to listen for |
|---|---|
| Thunder | Timpani, bass drum, a thunder sheet |
| Lightning | Piccolo, cymbals |
| Wind | Fast scales in the strings, a wind machine |
| Rain | Plucked strings, short notes on a piano or woodwinds |
| Sunshine | Flute, oboe, horn |
Games to play
- Make a storm. Rub your palms for wind. Snap for the first drops. Pat your knees for heavy rain. Stomp for thunder. Then go back the other way until it is quiet.
- Storm or no storm? Play 20 seconds of a piece. Thumbs up if a storm is coming.
- Weather report. After a piece, your child gives the forecast in a newsreader’s voice.
- Draw the sky. Fold a page in three. Draw the sky before, during, and after Beethoven’s storm on a listening journal page.
A tip for a child who fears storms
Play a storm piece on a clear day. The child controls the volume and can stop it at any time. Start with the Strauss polka, which is all fun.
For more themes, read classical music about water, rivers, and the sea and classical music about space.
More from this guide
This article is part of How to introduce kids to classical music.
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Use it with your kids
Print a listening page, a practice chart, or a composer fact sheet. Or try a tool, such as the composer timeline or the piece picker.