Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
Many people probably think, “It would be so cool and fun if I could play the piano!” I usually teach piano at home, and I have many adult students who come to me asking, “Is it still possible for me to learn to play from now?” So this time, I’ll introduce piano pieces that may look difficult but are surprisingly approachable on the piano, focusing on classical music! Perfectly pursuing the essence of a piece does require considerable technique, but in some cases there are published scores with simple arrangements that even beginners can play shortly after starting.
If you’re thinking about starting the piano, or if you’re hoping to perform at a recital someday, I hope you’ll find this helpful!
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
- [For Piano Recitals] Simple yet Cool Classical Pieces
- [For Adults] Recommended for Piano Recitals! A Curated Selection of Impressively Sounding Masterpieces
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
- [Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital
- [For Advanced Players] A Curated Selection of Classical Masterpieces to Tackle at Piano Recitals
- For Beginners: Easy to Play and Sounds Impressive! Pieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
- [Intermediate Level] A curated selection of piano masterpieces featuring strikingly brilliant melodies!
- Recommended for piano beginners! 10 sheet music picks that adults can enjoy too
- [Piano Pieces] Easy for Children to Play! A Roundup of Simple Classical Works
- Lower difficulty: Not as hard as it sounds!? Debussy’s piano pieces
Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Pieces That Sound Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals (101–110)
Carrying YouHisaishi Joe
Castle in the Sky (Laputa), a masterpiece animated film from Studio Ghibli, continues to be loved by people of all ages.
Not only is the story wonderful, but the theme song Carrying You—composed by Joe Hisaishi with lyrics by director Hayao Miyazaki—is also cherished as a timeless classic.
Playing pop pieces in a piano arrangement is often thought to be challenging, but if you choose sheet music that matches your skill level, you can enjoy performing them with ease! If you’re a beginner or returning after a break, try selecting beginner-friendly scores with note names written in kana and practice so that the melody comes through clearly.
Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2 “The Hunt”Johann Burgmüller
This work beautifully harmonizes a light, flowing melody with a rhythmic accompaniment in 2/4 time.
It weaves an elegant sonic pattern inspired by the decorative motifs of Islamic art, creating a brilliant atmosphere when combined with its lively, march-like character.
The combination of a graceful right-hand sixteenth-note melody and left-hand staccato chords gleams like a sparkling jewel.
Published in Paris in 1851, the piece has long been cherished as an attractive work that sounds impressive despite its modest technical demands.
We invite you to immerse yourself in this radiant and graceful world of sound.
Waltz No. 18 in E-flat major, Op. posth. “Sostenuto”Frederic Chopin
The Waltz No.
18 in E-flat major, Op.
posth., discovered in a private British collection and published in 1952—more than a century after Frédéric Chopin’s death—is also known by the title “Sostenuto.” Because it contains no major shifts or passages requiring advanced technique, it is considered approachable; yet precisely due to its simplicity, it is also a piece that tests the performer’s expressive ability.
Incidentally, among Chopin’s waltzes, the highly popular “Grande valse brillante” is Opus 18.
In terms of numbering, it is No.
1, not No.
18, so please be careful not to confuse them!
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique,” Second MovementLudwig van Beethoven
For beginners, the choice of piece you work on can greatly influence the direction of your growth.
For those who want to develop expressive skills, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonata “Pathétique” is recommended.
The first movement is fairly challenging, but the second movement is known as a relatively accessible masterpiece.
Because the top voice of the chords carries the melody line, play with a delicate touch so it flows smoothly and beautifully.
Mastering half-pedaling will give your performance a more authentic, polished quality.
Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2, ArabesqueJohann Burgmüller
Burgmüller’s 25 Easy and Progressive Studies is a collection every piano learner encounters at least once.
Arabesque, the second piece, is especially popular for its energetic and striking character.
The right hand’s fast, detailed passages often come together smoothly thanks to their tempo-friendly patterns, but the real challenge lies in the middle section with the left hand.
The moment the melody shifts to the left hand, many players struggle to keep up with the tempo and the flow often breaks.
Except where a tempo reduction is indicated, aim to maintain the opening momentum by isolating and carefully practicing the tricky spots in small sections.
Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals (111–120)
To That SummerHisaishi Joe
The main theme “One Summer’s Day” from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, released in 2001.
Ghibli pieces are very popular because many of them can be played on the piano! The opening features a beautifully memorable melody, so try to focus on bringing out the right-hand line.
From the middle section, let’s build excitement with the powerful, unfolding scale passages.
This part might be a bit tricky, so don’t give up—keep practicing! It’s also a piece whose character changes depending on the performer, so it could be nice to play it in your own style.
energy flowSakamoto Ryuichi
Energy Flow, by Ryuichi Sakamoto—one of Japan’s most celebrated composers—was reportedly completed in just five minutes.
To finish a piece this beautiful, combining poignancy and grace, in mere minutes can only be called genius.
There’s even an anecdote that Sakamoto himself could only give a wry smile at the song’s unexpected mega-hit status.
With its relaxed tempo and relatively few notes, it’s approachable for beginner to intermediate players.
If you can clearly convey the shifts in musical character, you’ll achieve a performance with greater breadth and impact.