You’ve moved beyond the beginner stage, but you still need a bit more experience to tackle advanced pieces… This time, we’ve gathered a cool selection of pieces that are perfect for anyone looking for intermediate-level piano music.
From delicate tones to powerful resonance, from lyrical moods to lively vibes—the expressive range of the piano is limitless!
We’re excited to introduce wonderful pieces that let you fully savor the instrument’s charm.
Alongside classic staples, we’ve included a wide variety of selections such as film music and pop tunes.
These pieces are all great choices for recitals, so if you’re unsure what to work on next, be sure to check them out!
[Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Also Recommended for Recitals] (1–10)
Tarantella Op.85-2NEW!Stephen Heller
[Recommended for Piano Recitals] Tarantella ♫ Heller / Tarantella Op.85-2, Heller
If you want to make a striking impression at a recital, I recommend “No.
2” from Stephen Heller’s Two Tarantellas, Op.
85, whose score was published in March 1855.
Evoking the frenzied dance of southern Italy, this rapid, highly dynamic piece brims with energy.
As indicated by Presto, its unbroken, finely wrought figures and sharp accents generate a powerful forward drive.
Beyond mere speed, its Romantic shading of harmony and the dramatic interplay between the hands are part of its appeal.
It’s an ideal work for those who wish to polish their expressiveness—not only by moving their fingers quickly, but also by refining sense of pulse, dynamic contrast, and pedaling.
Aim for a performance that balances brilliance with rich lyricism, and give it a try.
[Recommended for Piano Recitals] Tambourin ♫ Rameau / Le Tambourin, Rameau
Jean-Philippe Rameau’s Tambourin is a piece included in his collection of harpsichord works published in 1724.
It is a vibrant work that splendidly fuses drum-like rhythms derived from folk dances of southern France with the refined ornamental beauty of French court culture.
Though short, it combines the powerful, percussive resonance of drums with the elegance of the Baroque style, making it highly effective in performance and striking on stage—an excellent choice for recitals.
While paying attention to delicate ornaments and clear articulation, enjoy the buoyant dance rhythms that are characteristic of the genre.
Later adapted into the opéra-ballet Les Fêtes d’Hébé, it is a captivating piece that seems to condense Rameau’s dramatic musical world.
Highly recommended for those seeking a compact yet substantial work to tackle.
Children’s Album, Vol. 2: ‘Echoes of Boyhood’ Two funny old ladies had a quarrelNEW!Aram Khachaturian
[Recommended for Piano Recitals] Two Eccentric Aunties Got Into a Fight ♫ Khachaturian / Zwei plappernde Tantchen, Khachaturian
Even the title, like the beginning of a story, packs a punch! This piece is included in Aram Khachaturian’s collection Miniatures from “Children’s Album, Book 2: Echoes of Childhood.” In Japan, it’s well known from the score released by Zen-On in January 1986.
Within its brief duration of about one minute and twenty seconds, it’s tightly packed with exchanges of dialogue, clashes of emotion, and somewhat comical gestures.
Bringing out the staccato and accents while imagining the characters’ lines and movements will further enhance its appeal.
It’s a lovely work I highly recommend to those who want to enjoy a slightly humorous and dramatic expression.
[Recommended for Piano Recitals] Csikós Post ♪ Necke / Csikos Post, Necke
This is that familiar piece often used as BGM for school sports day races—the kind that makes you want to start running the moment you hear it.
First published in 1895, the piece originally appeared in a collection for piano four hands.
Its galloping sense of speed, like a horse in full stride, and its urgent, powerful rhythm are incredibly cool, pushing the listener forward with irresistible momentum.
What’s more, thanks to tie-ins across various media—starting with Nintendo’s game Yoshi’s Cookie—this work is something almost everyone knows intuitively, which is part of its appeal.
While it demands considerable agility—especially in the left hand’s intricate figures, accents, and key changes—it fully showcases the piano’s expressive range, making it perfect for those who want to deliver a dazzling performance at a recital.
The World of Sweets: No. 8 “Choco Bar”NEW!Yuyama Akira
[Recommended for Piano Recitals] Chocolate Bar ♫ Akira Yuyama / Chocolate Bar, Akira Yuyama
This is the eighth piece of a suite long beloved as a masterpiece by Akira Yuyama.
Its charm lies in a light, urban melody that incorporates elements from Latin America—the homeland of chocolate—as well as jazzy nuances.
With a pop-style rhythm marked by syncopation and off-beat accents, it offers a range of expressive possibilities, such as contrasts between a dry touch and resonant pedal work.
Included in a collection published by Zen-On Music in May 1974, it also has a unique background said to be inspired by the lifestyle sensibilities and commercial music of the time.
It’s highly recommended for those who want to take on slightly more sophisticated sonorities and rhythms.
Piano Pieces for Children “Children’s Dreams” — Dance and SongNEW!Nakata Yoshinao
[Recommended Piano Recital Piece] A Dance and Song ♫ Yoshinao Nakada
This piece, with its passionate dance-like quality tinged with a Japanese flavor and its cool shifts in expression via brief vocal interludes, is included on the classic album “Kodomo no Yume,” released in September 1978.
It’s a richly expressive work where you can savor both the dynamic sections that treat chords in a percussive, dance-like manner and the gentle sections that tenderly envelop the melody as support.
Its rhythmic interest stands out—with moments like a 5/4 passage—requiring clear, accent-aware beat marking.
Because it asks for a sense of storytelling and dancing that goes beyond simply playing the piano, it’s perfect for those who want to relish the resonance of the chords and the changes in meter, and perform with stylish brilliance on the recital stage!
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