Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven – history's most celebrated classical composers are men. But to focus only on men would mean missing out on countless women composers who have carved their own names into music history, often against great odds.

In this article, we'll meet some of these groundbreaking women. They are composers like Amy Beach, who broke from gender and class confines perpetuated by her mother and husband, rising to prominence aged 44. Then there's Clara Schumann, whose career was already thriving by the time she married the composer Robert Schumann.

These stories – and many more – deserve to be remembered, and what better way to honor these groundbreaking composers than by playing their music on piano? Below, we'll share some of our favorite piano pieces written by women that you can learn with flowkey.

9. Euphemia Allen - Chopsticks Waltz

A fun experiment

When it comes to one-hit-wonders, "Chopsticks Waltz" might take the cake. This beginner-friendly classic was first published in 1877 by the British composer Euphemia Allen, who released it under the pseudonym Arthur de Lulli. Written when Allen was just sixteen years old, it remains her only published musical work.

According to the composer's instructions, the melody should be played as if you were chopping the piano keys, with palms facing each other and pinkies on the bottom. Although we provide more conventional fingerings in the flowkey app, we encourage trying the beginner version this way – it's quite fun! With flowkey's recommended fingerings, the beginner version is also great for learning to play with both hands, since you only have to worry about one note per hand.

The piece was also arranged for piano duet, so you could play it with a friend!

8. Helen Rhodes - Because

The sound of love

Helen Rhodes, born in 1858, was a French songwriter, pianist, and teacher who composed under the pseudonym Guy d'Hardelot. The lyrics of "Because" are romantic, describing the joys of being in love. Although originally written in French, here's a snippet of the official English translation:

Because you speak to me in accent sweet,
I find the roses waking 'round my feet,
And I am led through tears and joy to thee,
Because you speak to me!

This song is a great choice for piano players of all levels – going from a beginner version with a simple one-line melody and accompaniment, to an advanced version with lush chords in both hands. If you're feeling ambitious, you can even sing along.

7. Maria Szymanowska - Barkarola

All aboard

Maria Szymanowska was a Polish composer and one of the first professional virtuoso pianists of the 19th century. After touring extensively throughout Europe, she settled in St. Petersburg, where she composed for the royal court, gave concerts, taught music, and ran a salon before passing away in 1831.

Originating from folk songs sung by Venetian gondoliers, a barkarola (barcarolle) is a musical piece written in this style of boat song. They are usually written in 6/8 time, and this piece is no exception. As you play Szymanowska's "Barkarola," try to create a rocking motion with your phrases, as if you were on a boat.

6. Amy Beach - The Returning Hunter No. 2 - Eskimos Op. 64

A lively folk song

Amy Beach was an American composer and pianist. Although she was considered a prodigy on the piano, Amy's musical career was restricted by her mother and husband, who both bought into the widely held belief that upper-class women should not perform publicly. Still, she continued to play a small number of concerts for charity and made waves as a composer. After her mother's and husband's deaths, Amy enjoyed a successful career as a soloist, performing freely throughout the US and Europe before passing away in 1944.

"The Returning Hunter" is the second of four Inuit-inspired pieces that make up "Eskimos." It's a fast-paced tune with straightforward rhythms, making it a great choice for intermediate-to-advanced players. As you play this piece, be sure to emphasize the contrasting articulations between the recurring jolly tune introduced at the start of the piece and the flowing lines in the middle.

5. Amy Beach - Scottish Legend

Music for introspection

Another work by Amy Beach, "Scottish Legend" has a much slower and more somber feel than "The Returning Hunter." Despite this, your fingers have no shortage of work. It includes full moving chords and plenty of ornaments such as grace notes and arpeggiations. Amidst all the chords and ornamentation, make sure you let the beautiful melody in the top line shine through.

4. Clara Schumann - Notturno No. 2, Op. 6

The sound of the night

One of the most important figures in piano history, Clara Schumann was a Romantic-era concert pianist, composer, and educator. Born in 1819 in Leipzig, Germany, to musical parents, Clara began her piano training at the age of four and was considered a musical prodigy. At age 21, as an already successful pianist, she married composer Robert Schumann.

Related to the word nocturnal, a notturno (or nocturne) is a piece of music written for the nighttime. This particular "Notturno" is the second piece in Schumann's collection of six Soirées Musicales, which she wrote as a teenager. Despite its sleepy vibe, this piece definitely shows off the player's virtuosity – if you're ready to take it on, be ready for some blazingly fast grace notes and syncopated rhythms.

3. Clara Schumann - Ballade No. 4 in Dm, Op. 6

A song with a story

This "Ballade" is the fourth piece of Soirées Musicales the same collection as the previous "Notturno." Ballads originated as poems or songs that tell a story, but they can also refer to instrumental pieces that have strong narrative elements. Since this piece has no lyrics, it is really up to the player to convey the story through their interpretation of the piece. Like the "Notturno," this piece is filled with complex ornamentations and rhythms, making it best suited for advanced players.

2. Lili Boulanger - Cortège

Music for celebration

Born in 1893 to Paris Conservatory professor Ernest Boulanger and his former student, the Russian Princess Raissa Myshetskaya, Lili Boulanger spent her entire life immersed in music. She began her musical training by accompanying her older sister Nadia to her Paris Conservatory classes. Both sisters became well-known composers and pianists, and the younger Lili was the first woman to win the Prix de Rome composition prize.

Meaning "procession" in French, Boulanger's "Cortège" certainly feels celebratory. This piece shows off Boulanger's impressionistic composition style – it starts and ends in D major but incorporates modal and chromatic elements that sometimes obscure the tonality. If you're looking to give this one a try, watch out for the five sharps in the key signature and the variety of accidentals in the middle!

1. Cécile Chaminade - 6 Romances sans paroles No. 2, Op. 76

Express yourself!

Cecile Chaminade was a French composer and pianist, as well as the first female composer to be awarded the Légion d'Honneur, the highest French order of merit. After establishing herself in the world of classical music, Chaminade performed only concerts of her own music. Before her death in 1944, she had many notable fans, including the British Queen Victoria.

This lush romance is centered around the key of E major, giving it an innocent and hopeful feel. The melody is played in parallel with both the left and right hands throughout the majority of the piece. With flowing melodies representative of the French Romantic tradition, this is a great choice for players who are looking to explore expressive rubato.

Keep learning with the flowkey app

All of the pieces covered in this article – and many more pieces by women comosers – are available to learn on the flowkey app. flowkey makes learning new songs fun and easy, supporting your piano-learning journey with a collection of drills and in-depth tutorials created by professional musicians. Download the flowkey app today to start learning.