[For 4-year-olds] Recommended pieces for a piano recital!

Waltz of Hansel and GretelTamaru Nobuaki

Waltz of Hansel and Gretel

This is a charming waltz that feels like the well-known brother and sister from the Grimm fairy tales are holding hands and dancing in the forest.

The piece appears in the text Piano Dream 3, published in May 1998, and its appeal lies in how it invites you to play while imagining a story.

The buoyant triple meter seems to express the excitement of discovering a house made of sweets.

Because it’s easy to grasp the imagery of the piece, it’s perfect for a four-year-old who wants to express their feelings through music.

It would be wonderful to play it with the feeling of becoming the story’s protagonist and enjoy the performance.

A Small SongCornelius Gurlitt

Little Song (Gurlitt) Children's Music Recital (Recommended for Beginner Piano Recitals)

“A Little Song” is a popular piece often performed at piano recitals.

It’s frequently confused with a work by Khachaturian, but the piece introduced here is by Gurlitt.

This miniature is included in his collection Children’s Concert, and as the title suggests, it’s written in a very simple style that even children can play.

The tempo indications and hand usage are very straightforward, but in pieces like this the left-hand accompaniment tends to become too loud, causing the right-hand melody to get buried.

Developing the technique of playing the accompaniment more softly to bring out the melody is a very important skill for future piano playing, making this piece perfect for building that foundation.

When performing it at a recital, adding more dynamics and phrasing will make it even better.

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Children’s Album – 24 Easy Pieces, Op. 39: No. 8 “Waltz”Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

B-class Romance Tchaikovsky: Waltz, Op. 39 No. 8 (2023 PTNA Competition Required Piece) pf. Mako Hamada

“Children’s Album – 24 Easy Pieces, Op.

39, No.

8 ‘Waltz’” is a piece frequently performed at piano recitals featuring elementary school children and preschoolers.

Composed by Tchaikovsky when he was 38, it’s perfect for getting used to the waltz style.

Although the difficulty level is approachable for beginners, the staccato passages can be challenging for children who have not yet developed fine motor skills.

Waltzes with frequent staccato are quite rare, so be sure to give it a try.

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Birthday MarchLouis Köhler

"Birthday March" composed by L. Köhler (from The Teacher’s Selection: Piano Recital Masterpieces 1)

A charming piece that’s perfect for a first recital and is included in many children’s piano collections! Louis Köhler’s “Birthday March” is simple and easy to remember, yet it’s packed with important elements for learning piano, such as chord staccato and smooth melodic legato.

Another appeal of this piece is the wide range of dynamics it allows, from energetic passages to gentle, quiet ones.

Imagine a birthday surprise as you play, and perform with rich expression.

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Happy WitchJane Bastien

Bastien: Happy Witch, pf. Yuichiro Nakada

The works of American composer Jane Bastien are approachable for children and ideal for the early stages of piano study.

This piece evokes a story featuring a cheerful witch.

Although short in performance time, it includes key elements for creating atmosphere, such as the use of staccato and the handling of silence.

Imagining a story in which the witch descends to earth and lifts the spirits of those who are feeling down will enable deeper expression.

By shaping the music as if it were a scene from a picture book or an animated film, you can bring out its full charm.

It’s a fun, educational piece that’s perfect for a four-year-old’s piano recital.

Habanera on a Summer NightHirayoshi Takeshu

[Recommended for Piano Recitals] Summer Night Habanera ♪ Takekuni Hirayoshi / Summer Night Habanera, Takekuni Hirayoshi

This captivating piece weaves passionate traditional Cuban rhythms with striking melodies.

Over a quietly pulsing, heartbeat-like rhythm in the bass, a brilliant melody unfolds at a relaxed pace.

Like moonlight floating in the night, it carries a beautiful, mysterious aura, offering performers ample room to showcase their sensitivity and expressive range.

Premiered in 1996, it is written for advanced players yet possesses a rich resonance that enchants audiences.

Its graceful melody and dynamic development leave a strong impression, lending it the dignity and brilliance befitting the finale of a recital.

As a work that fully draws out the piano’s expressive potential, it is recommended for upper elementary students who are confident in their performance technique.

Winnie the PoohThe Sherman Brothers

Piano Recital 2015 - Winnie the Pooh

Disney’s beloved work, Winnie the Pooh.

This piece, which shares the same title, is one of the main themes.

You might not feel it as much in the original, but when arranged for piano it suddenly takes on a lyrical quality and sounds remarkably striking.

Because of that, it’s a piece that demands expressive ability—not only fundamental skills like a good sense of rhythm, but also sensitivity in interpretation.

The hands are spaced somewhat far apart at times, but the overall difficulty is such that even a four-year-old can tackle it.

If you have a recital coming up, be sure to check it out.

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