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

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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Ryo

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marchDmitri Shostakovich

March - Shostakovich (Beginner, Piano Recital) [March / D. Shostakovich]

Dmitri Shostakovich was a composer active in the Soviet Union during the 20th century.

Exceptionally talented both as a pianist and as a composer, Shostakovich firmly established his reputation as one of the greatest classical composers of the 20th century.

This piece is the first number from Children’s Notebook, and it evokes soldiers marching without bending their knees.

Aside from the slurs indicated by the composer, it is desirable to play non-legato; however, since it depicts a soldiers’ march, it should be performed in a way that does not become too light.

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HATSUMI

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Indian danceWilliam Gillock

Gillock: First Piano for Children, Indian Dance, pf. Sho Taguchi: TAGUCHI, Sho

This piece, inspired by Native American culture and rhythms, captivates with its simple yet powerful pulse and distinctive melody.

The drum-like accompaniment in the left hand is striking, while the right-hand melody unfolds in response.

Combining a steady beat with triplets, the work brims with the vigor and dynamism that many boys admire.

Included in the album “Two Indian Dances,” it also stands out for encouraging expressive playing as performers imagine the culture and stories behind the music.

Written in G major, its bright and lively character is sure to shine in recitals and competitions.

The Queen’s MinuetWilliam Gillock

[First Gillock] The Queen’s Minuet

William Gillock, an American composer so prolific in children’s pieces that he’s often called the Schubert of music education.

When it comes to beginner-friendly works for children, Gillock’s pieces are classics.

Among his works, the one I especially recommend is Minuet for the Queen.

Its dark atmosphere leaves a strong impression; while it calls for a touch of crisp staccato technically, it’s fundamentally set in an easy-to-play triple meter.

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GoodbyeDoitsu min’yō

Goodbye – German Folk Song (Piano Sheet Music)

“Farewell,” a German folk song that’s also popular in Japan.

Compared to other German folk songs that have become children’s songs, it’s somewhat on the minor side, but you still hear it fairly often at piano recitals.

As for difficulty, it’s around the middle of the beginner level; if you stick to a minimum performance, it would rank on the lower end of beginner pieces.

The indicated tempo isn’t particularly challenging, but because this piece relies heavily on expressive dynamics and nuance, it’s recommended for times when you want to develop that aspect of your playing.

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clock towerCornelius Gurlitt

Clock Tower / C. Gurlitt (from New Piano Study 1)

Cornelius Gurlitt, the great German composer who wrote numerous works ranging from songs and piano pieces to cantatas, operas, and symphonies.

While Gurlitt left many technically demanding pieces, he also composed some simple and charming works for children.

One of these is Clock Tower.

Because the accompaniment is somewhat difficult, we recommend playing it as a duet, as shown in the video.

It’s a must-check piece for those planning to perform at a piano recital as a parent-child duo.

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pirateRoger Grove

Pirate Roger Grove

This upbeat piece themed around a pirate adventure is a piano solo overflowing with power and dynamism.

Its story-rich development—depicting a ship’s departure, storms on the open sea, and the excitement of discovering treasure—is captivating, drawing listeners in from the first hearing.

While the original version also features piano, the solo edition adds fresh ornamentation and arrangements, using a three-page structure to paint the story in sound.

Released in November 2023, it’s a fun, adventure-sparking work that balances the joy of performing with the pleasure of listening.

It’s sure to shine at piano recitals and has become popular as a cool showpiece for boys.