It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
When you think of piano pieces, many people probably picture classical works, right?
But nowadays, not only classical music—J-POP, anime songs, and all kinds of tracks—are performed on the piano, and “I tried playing it” videos are gaining attention on social media and video platforms.
Some of you might be enjoying watching these videos every day, surprised to find, “Wow, this song actually goes really well with the piano!”
So this time, we’ve picked out songs that would look seriously cool if you could play them on the piano!
Alongside timeless classical masterpieces, we’ll also introduce the latest hit songs that sound great on piano.
If you’re thinking, “I want to wow everyone with my piano performance!”, be sure to use this as a reference!
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- [Advanced] Super cool if you can play it! Selection of famous piano pieces
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- Even beginners can play them easily on the piano! A curated selection of popular and latest J-POP songs.
- [Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive, and Popular Pieces
- [Piano × J‑Pop] A curated selection of the coolest new hits and anime songs that’ll look great when you play them
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- [For Piano Recitals] Simple yet Cool Classical Pieces
- [Intermediate Level] A curated selection of piano masterpieces featuring strikingly brilliant melodies!
- Cool jazz piano: from classic favorites to hidden gems.
- [For Advanced Players] A Curated Selection of Classical Masterpieces to Tackle at Piano Recitals
- Masterpieces of classical piano that are too beautiful for words. A gathering of delicate tones that cleanse the soul.
- [Classical Music] All pieces under 3 minutes! A collection of short and cool piano pieces
If you can play these on the piano, you’ll look cool! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces (71–80)
Champion CynthiaMasuda Junichi
A powerful piano melody rings out, unfolding into a grand piece brimming with tension and exhilaration.
The work’s melody carries a fierce sense of speed that symbolizes strength and dignity, stirring the hearts of listeners.
Released in 2006, it has remained deeply etched in many people’s memories as music that heightens the intensity of heated battles.
It is favored in a variety of events and scenes, and is even used as wedding background music.
While it demands dazzling, impactful performance technique, it also allows for rich expressiveness.
As a piece that fully showcases the piano’s charm, it is an excellent choice for recitals and concerts.
Intermezzo, Op. 118 No. 2Johannes Brahms
A piece whose gentle, graceful melody seeps into the heart.
Like waves that ebb and flow, its unhurried lines carry deep emotion and quiet reflection.
Written in 1893, it is characterized by a singing right-hand melody supported by soft left-hand chords.
In the middle section, it unfolds with passion, yet returns to the calm theme, evoking the rises and falls of life.
Expressing the stillness of an autumn dusk and feelings held within, this work is ideal for those who wish to experience the piano’s profound allure or refine delicate expressive skills.
Rather than technical bravura, it calls for attention to color and emotional nuance—an invitation to take it on with care and sensitivity.
Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331, Movement III “Turkish March”Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
One of the most famous pieces among the piano works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a composer who epitomizes the Classical era.
In fact, it is the third movement of the Piano Sonata No.
11, but nowadays it is often performed on its own and is also popular as a staple for recitals.
Though its melody feels familiar, the overall level of the piece is by no means easy.
It is extremely challenging to play the meticulously crafted, characteristically Mozartian notes with precision.
However, the sense of accomplishment when you can play it is exceptional! Composed in Vienna in 1783, this masterpiece captivates listeners with its Turkish-style rhythms and melodies.
Be sure to give it a try!
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14Sergei Rachmaninov
Vocalise is a renowned song with piano accompaniment by the great Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, and a highly popular masterpiece that has been arranged not only for solo piano but for many different instruments.
As you listen to its exquisitely beautiful, melancholic main melody, it feels as though you are catching a glimpse of a page from someone’s life.
Precisely because it has no lyrics, you can interpret and express it freely—why not create your very own, original rendition of Vocalise?
From Eight Concert Etudes: No. 8 “Finale”Nikolai Kapustin
This classical piano piece skillfully incorporates elements of jazz, resulting in a highly effective work brimming with power and energy.
A forceful first theme grounded in eighth notes intertwines beautifully with a softer second theme, all framed in a brilliant sonata form.
Composed in 1984, the piece features complex rhythmic structures and rapid passages that demand advanced technique, yet it also conveys the lightness and freedom characteristic of jazz.
Combining classical virtuosity with jazz-like rhythmic sensibility, it is sure to captivate audiences in a recital.
While it requires substantial practice time, it is an ideal choice for advanced players who wish to present a dazzling, audience-pleasing work.
Midnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshu
This is a solo piano piece by the passionate Japanese composer Tokiyuki Hirayoshi, evoking scenes of blazing flames.
Its dynamic, intense sonorities and meticulously crafted articulation are beautifully balanced, depicting sparks of fire soaring into the night sky.
The unique irregular meters create a compelling sense of motion, while rhythm patterns reminiscent of Spanish dance elevate the listener’s spirit.
Selected as a required piece for the 2024 PTNA Piano Competition, it is increasingly recognized as a work that supports technical development for piano learners.
Though cast in a minor key, it conveys a vigorous energy without darkness, offering a refreshing exhilaration—like a dance of the heart—when heard on a hot summer night.
Gaspard of the Night, No. 1: OndineMaurice Ravel
If you’re well-versed in French literature, seeing the title Gaspard de la nuit might bring to mind the poetry collection by Louis Bertrand, born in 19th-century France.
The work discussed here, however, is Maurice Ravel’s suite for solo piano, which was in fact composed with inspiration from three poems included in Bertrand’s collection.
The first piece, Ondine, depicts the story of the water spirit—one of the four elemental spirits—who falls in love with a human.
It is a delicate yet dramatic work that expresses, with Ravel’s characteristic technical sophistication, both the emotions of the spirit whose love is unfulfilled and the image of a fierce downpour.