Autumn for the Arts: Treasured Piano Pieces | Enjoy Classical Music by Listening and Playing

The Confectionery World, No. 14: “Demon Arare”Yuyama Akira

Akira Yuyama / The World of Sweets No. 14: Oni Arare (Demon Rice Crackers) pf. Eiko Sudo

This is a short piece included on the album “The World of Sweets,” notable for its glittering, hard-edged piano sound.

Composed in 1973, the work creates a highly original sound world that brilliantly fuses Japanese and Western elements within a brief span of 1 minute and 25 seconds.

It opens in A minor with a 4/4 meter, achieving a hard, springy sonority through skillful use of dissonance and staccato.

With three-voice textures, complex rhythms, and thematic variations, it combines performance difficulty with strong appeal.

Frequently performed at recitals and competitions, it is cherished as a piece that tests expressive ability.

Highly recommended for those seeking fresh facets of classical music, it makes an effective closer for a program.

8 Pieces, Op. 84: No. 4, AdagiettoGabriel Fauré

Ayane Shoda (3rd grade) Fauré: 8 Short Pieces, Impromptu Op. 84 No. 5 - AYANE SHODA PLAYS FAURÉ

Set in E minor and written in triple meter, this exquisite miniature features a delicately woven melody whose refined beauty, played with gentle intimacy, resonates deeply.

Premiered in 1902 by Ricardo Viñes, it is one of the works included in the album “Eight Pieces, Op.

84.” Unfolding at a slow tempo marked Andante molto moderato, the piece develops through elegant variations centered on a melody placed in the middle voice.

Its calm atmosphere and tasteful harmonic progressions are striking, offering a full taste of the graceful allure of French music.

Because it does not impose excessive technical demands, it is recommended for those who wish to refine their expressive command of French repertoire or explore new horizons in classical music.

Eight Pieces, Op. 84: No. 7, JoyGabriel Fauré

8 Pièces Brèves, Op. 84: VII. Allégresse

The lively melody created by sixteenth-note triplets marked in 6/8 time gives the impression of expressing pure joy.

Written in C major, this piece was completed in 1902 and premiered the following April at the National Music Society by Ricardo Viñes.

Its beautiful sonority—woven from smoothly flowing lines and delicate harmonic progressions—conveys the elegance and refinement characteristic of French music.

With its warm tone and approachable rhythmic patterns, this work is enjoyable for anyone with a basic foundation in piano performance.

Why not savor its graceful melodies and exhilarating rhythms and experience the charm of French music?

Suite ‘Dolly’ Op. 56 No. 4, Kitty-ValseGabriel Fauré

[Piano Solo Version] Fauré: Suite “Dolly” Kitty-Valse, Op. 56-4 [Arr. Cortot]

Why not try bringing to life a graceful waltz of French music on the piano keys? Written between 1894 and 1896 to celebrate a young girl’s birthday, this elegant piece from a set of six portrays a beloved family dog.

Its lively E-flat major rhythm seems to capture the image of a cute dog bounding about.

Refined harmonies and delicate melodies weave a miniature of about two and a half minutes, wrapped in a warm, homely atmosphere.

With its approachable character that makes piano four-hands especially enjoyable, the piece’s graceful harmonic language—bridging the Romantic and Impressionist styles—offers a full taste of the allure of French music.

Barcarolle No. 10 in A minor, Op. 104-2Gabriel Fauré

Fauré Op.104-2 Barcarolle No.10 in A minor Fauré Barcarolle No.10 with Score Sheet Music [Kero]

This piece is notable for its 6/8 rhythm that ripples smoothly like a water’s surface.

Published in 1913, it unfolds a beautiful melody imbued with deep emotion within the key of A minor.

The shifting, dreamlike harmonies and the delicate interplay of rhythms between the two hands vividly evoke the image of a gondola drifting across the waters of Venice.

While it begins with a gentle character, the music gradually builds in the middle section, growing richer in texture—a compelling structural feature.

For piano learners, it is an ideal work to cultivate nuanced expression while maintaining a fundamental rhythmic pattern.

Highly recommended for those who wish to savor the refined atmosphere characteristic of French music.

Barcarolle No. 12 in E-flat major, Op. 105-2Gabriel Fauré

Gabriel Fauré – Barcarolle No. 12, Op. 106bis

Composed in 1921, this piano piece features a flowing 6/8 rhythm and the warm sonority of E-flat major.

It evokes a gentle lyricism and profound spirituality.

Its graceful melodic lines are interwoven with the refined harmonies characteristic of French music, leaving a pleasant resonance.

While one can enjoy the subtlety of the harmonic progressions and modulations, the piece remains playable with fundamental technique.

It is recommended for those who wish to engage deeply with music in a quiet setting or savor the delicate expressions of French musical style.

It is sometimes selected for music university examinations and competitions, making it valuable from an educational standpoint as well.

Masquerade Ball ‘Waltz’Aram Khachaturian

Masquerade “Waltz” (Khachaturian) Pianist Yuki Kondo / Khachaturian: “Masquerade” Waltz, Piano Solo, Yuki Kondo

The waltz in 3/4 time, both glamorous and tinged with melancholy, was used in the ballroom scene of the film War and Peace, beautifully enhancing the setting.

It opens with a powerful introduction, and in the middle section weaves in lyrical melodies that vividly conjure the image of an elegantly dancing couple.

This piece was also used in Mao Asada’s performance at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, where she won the silver medal, captivating the audience.

Combining strength and delicacy, it is a fitting selection for an upper-elementary school recital.

Precisely because students’ technical skills are advancing at this stage, they can take on the challenge of a richly expressive performance.