[For 5-year-olds] A curated selection of recommended pieces for a piano recital!

Come, let’s dance the waltz.William Gillock

[Recommended for Piano Recitals] Let's Dance the Waltz ♪ Gillock / Let's Waltz, Gillock

William Gillock, the great American composer, excelled at writing pieces that sound impressive despite not requiring advanced technique.

He’s a familiar name even to beginning pianists.

Among his works, “Shall We Dance a Waltz?” is one I especially recommend.

Both the accompaniment and the main melody are very simple, making it perfect for helping children internalize the waltz rhythm.

It also makes a strong impression in performance, so consider it as a piece for a piano recital.

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Boys’ Merry-Go-RoundNiels Wilhelm Gade

Gade: Boys' Merry-Go-Round

This is a children’s piano piece with a bright, lively rhythm.

Its simple yet beautiful melody is striking, vividly portraying children dancing in a circle.

Included on the album “Children’s Christmas,” the piece is full of playful fun and conveys a spirited, boyish energy.

It balances educational consideration with artistry, evoking scenes of traditional European children’s games.

Also featured as a piano set piece in the ABRSM exams, it is loved worldwide as a performance piece that shines on stage.

Highly recommended for those who want a dazzling recital piece.

Dance of the SwineherdBartók Béla

RCM Piano 2015 Grade 8 List D No.2 Bartok Swineherd’s Dance Sheet Music

Motivated by Hungarian folk dances from the album For Children, this piece is one that especially highlights a boy’s cool, striking presence when performed.

The combination of lively, rhythmic keystrokes and a bouncy melody captivates the audience every time it’s played.

Although originally released in 1908 as an educational piano work, it also possesses a stage-ready brilliance and dynamism.

Because it is based on dances actually performed in rural Hungary, rhythm and expressiveness are essential.

It’s an ideal piece for a boy who has just awakened to the charm of the piano to cultivate his musicality through performance.

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.

scramble crossinghashimoto kouichi

scramble crossing

This piece dynamically captures the hustle and bustle of the city, with a rhythmical, energetic melody that leaves a strong impression.

Built with 6/8 time and irregular meters, it skillfully depicts the ebb and flow of people at a busy intersection through music.

Featured on the album “I Still Love the Piano! ,” it was composed with Shibuya’s scramble crossing in mind, achieving an exquisite balance between melody and accompaniment.

Despite its brisk tempo, it allows for richly expressive performance, making it perfect for recitals.

Blending elements of classical and pop, its contemporary flair makes it stand out on stage.

It’s also recommended as a recital repertoire choice for boys looking for a cool piece.

Brave SoldierCornelius Gurlitt

Brave Soldier / Gurlitt — Wilder Soldat / C. Gurlitt [Recommended for Piano Recitals]

With a march-like, powerful rhythm that tickles a boy’s heart, this piece fills you with energy as you listen.

Featured on the album “Album for Children,” it captivates with its clear melody and the left hand’s steady, pulsing accompaniment.

Its resonant sound shines on stage, while offering ample joy in performance.

The right hand’s melody unfolds dramatically, firmly supported by the left hand’s rhythm—an ideal structure for practice.

Combining cool flair with sheer fun, this work is a perfect fit for boys learning the piano.

speed carNakata Yoshinao

[Recommended for Piano Recitals] Speedy Car ♫ Yoshinao Nakada / The Speedy Car, Yoshinao Nakada

This piece, often used as a piano practice work, is filled with a crisp rhythm and a lively sense of momentum.

It vividly evokes the feeling of a car speeding down the road, and it’s the kind of music that makes you smile as you play.

The effective use of performance markings such as accents and staccato makes it a compelling piece for learning technical elements like rhythmic precision and varied touch.

It’s a perfect choice for a boy to perform at a piano recital, inviting him to imagine scenes as he plays and capturing the audience’s hearts.

Highly recommended for those who want to create an energetic stage presence or develop expressive power through music.