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Recommended for piano recitals! A collection of bright, upbeat pieces

When it comes to piano recitals, don’t you often find yourself unsure which piece to play?

Even if you have a vague image like “I want to play a piece with a certain mood,” it can be hard to come up with specific titles.

Many famous classical pieces in minor keys are cool and impressive, but they tend to sound a bit dark, don’t they?

So in this article, I’ll introduce a wide selection of bright, upbeat pieces that are perfect for a piano recital.

From well-known favorites to hidden gems that sound great on stage, I’ve picked pieces across a broad range.

Try choosing one with a difficulty level that suits your playing.

Playlist

Recommended for piano recitals! A collection of bright, upbeat pieces
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastEtudes, Op. 25 No. 25 “Ladies on Horseback”Johann Burgmüller
Etudes, Op. 25 No. 25 “Ladies on Horseback”Johann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
An educational piano étude depicting Burgmüller’s horseback-riding scene
2eastThe EntertainerScott Joplin
The EntertainerScott Joplinplay_arrow
Joplin's representative ragtime work
3eastPiano Sonata K. 545 in C majorWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Sonata K. 545 in C majorWolfgang Amadeus Mozartplay_arrow
A masterpiece by Mozart in three movements
4eastThe Field Day of the House MiceHirayoshi Takeshu
The Field Day of the House MiceHirayoshi Takeshuplay_arrow
Takashi Hiraoyoshi’s piano pieces for children
5eastGolliwogg’s Cakewalk – Children’s CornerClaude Debussy
Golliwogg's Cakewalk - Children's CornerClaude Debussyplay_arrow
A Debussy-style cakewalk piano piece
6eastInvention No. 8, BWV 779J.S.Bach
Invention No. 8, BWV 779J.S.Bachplay_arrow
Bach’s Counterpoint Etudes
7east12 Variations on “Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman” in C major, K.265 (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations) by MozartWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
12 Variations on “Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman” in C major, K.265 (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations) by MozartWolfgang Amadeus Mozartplay_arrow
Mozart’s approachable variations
8eastPiano Sonata No. 20 in G majorLudwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 20 in G majorLudwig van Beethovenplay_arrow
Introduce beginner-friendly piano pieces by Beethoven
9eastTrumpet SerenadeFritz Spindler
Trumpet SerenadeFritz Spindlerplay_arrow
Spindler’s trumpet-like piano piece
10eastSonatina No. 8 in G major, Op. 36 No. 2Muzio Clementi
Sonatina No. 8 in G major, Op. 36 No. 2Muzio Clementiplay_arrow
Clementi's bright and educational piano pieces
11eastMaiden’s PrayerTekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska
Maiden's PrayerTekla Bądarzewska-Baranowskaplay_arrow
An elegant piano piece by a Polish composer
12eastSong of SpringFelix Mendelssohn
Song of SpringFelix Mendelssohnplay_arrow
A piano piece by Mendelssohn that depicts spring
13eastPrelude (8 Concert Etudes)Nikolai Kapustin
Prelude (8 Concert Etudes)Nikolai Kapustinplay_arrow
A piece by Kapustin that fuses classical music and jazz
14eastPolonaise No. 6 in A-flat major, Op. 53 (Heroic Polonaise)Frederic Chopin
Polonaise No. 6 in A-flat major, Op. 53 (Heroic Polonaise)Frederic Chopinplay_arrow
A magnificent masterpiece imbued with Chopin’s patriotism
15eastWaterside (from “Piano Collections FINAL FANTASY XII”)Uematsu Nobuo
Waterside (from "Piano Collections FINAL FANTASY XII")Uematsu Nobuoplay_arrow
Nobuo Uematsu’s Piano Collection: Beautiful and Healing Masterpieces
16eastPiano Sonata K. 545, 1st MovementWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Sonata K. 545, 1st MovementWolfgang Amadeus Mozartplay_arrow
The Appeal and Techniques of Mozart’s Famous Piano Pieces
17eastPolka from Album for ChildrenLouis Heinrich Köhler
Polka from Album for ChildrenLouis Heinrich Köhlerplay_arrow
Make the recital fun with a lively polka tune
18eastTurkish MarchLudwig van Beethoven
Turkish MarchLudwig van Beethovenplay_arrow
Honing expressiveness through Beethoven’s marches
19eastWiener MarchCarl Czerny
Wiener MarchCarl Czernyplay_arrow
Charming piano pieces of Austria
20eastBrave SoldierCornelius Gurlitt
Brave SoldierCornelius Gurlittplay_arrow
A powerful march that stirs a boy’s heart
21eastEtude AllegroNakata Yoshinao
Etude AllegroNakata Yoshinaoplay_arrow
A lively and glamorous piano piece for children
22eastCarnival BallWilliam Gillock
Carnival BallWilliam Gillockplay_arrow
A passionate piece with the charm of samba rhythm
23eastA Doll’s Dream and AwakeningTheodor Oesten
A Doll’s Dream and AwakeningTheodor Oestenplay_arrow
A charming tale where dolls sleep and dance
24eastSomething good might happen!Yuyama Akira
Something good might happen!Yuyama Akiraplay_arrow
A piano piece that fuses classical and jazz
25eastIn the ForestAlbert Ketèlbey
In the ForestAlbert Ketèlbeyplay_arrow
A gentle, shade-like piano piece that soothes the heart
26eastThird movement from Sonatina, Op. 36 No. 1Muzio Clementi
Third movement from Sonatina, Op. 36 No. 1Muzio Clementiplay_arrow
Lively three movements, virtuosic and captivating
27eastImpromptu of the WindNakata Yoshinao
Impromptu of the WindNakata Yoshinaoplay_arrow
A melody like a refreshing, free wind
28eastSuite ‘Dolly’ Op. 56 No. 4, Kitty-ValseGabriel Fauré
Suite 'Dolly' Op. 56 No. 4, Kitty-ValseGabriel Fauréplay_arrow
Play the graceful waltz of French music on the piano
29eastSonatine No. 8, Movement IMuzio Clementi
Sonatine No. 8, Movement IMuzio Clementiplay_arrow
The charm of piano pieces: brilliant and powerful
30eastMidnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshu
Midnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshuplay_arrow
Kiyosu Hirayoshi’s dynamic solo piano piece
31eastSonatina No. 1, Movement I, Op. 20-1Friedrich Kuhlau
Sonatina No. 1, Movement I, Op. 20-1Friedrich Kuhlauplay_arrow
A clear and approachable piece in C major
32eastSonatina No. 10, First MovementMuzio Clementi
Sonatina No. 10, First MovementMuzio Clementiplay_arrow
A masterpiece that conveys the expressiveness and allure of piano music
33eastSummerHisaishi Joe
SummerHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The Appeal and Characteristics of the Piano Pieces from Kikujiro’s Summer
34eastSerenade of the BuglerFritz Spindler
Serenade of the BuglerFritz Spindlerplay_arrow
A song with a bright melody that lifts your spirits
35eastStilienne – Burgmüller 25 Études, Op. 100 No. 14Johann Burgmüller
Stilienne – Burgmüller 25 Études, Op. 100 No. 14Johann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
A triple-meter piece inspired by traditional Alpine dance music
36eastBurgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2 “The Hunt”Johann Burgmüller
Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2 “The Hunt”Johann Burgmüllerplay_arrow
A brilliant march inspired by Islamic art
37eastSonatina No. 7, First MovementMuzio Clementi
Sonatina No. 7, First MovementMuzio Clementiplay_arrow
An elegant and technically skillful piano piece, brilliant and bright.