[Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
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!
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- Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
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[Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Also Great for Recitals] (81–90)
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56Bartók Béla
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.
56, a suite of piano miniatures and one of Béla Bartók’s signature works, was composed by the Hungarian-born composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist.
He later arranged it himself for small orchestra, and both versions are frequently programmed at concerts and recitals.
The piece is based on folk songs from the Kingdom of Hungary—which once governed the region centered on present-day Hungary—giving it a strongly folkloric character.
It’s an ideal choice for those who want to perform something with a different atmosphere from their usual practice repertoire or standard pieces at a recital.
Amazing GraceSakkyokusha fumei
Amazing Grace is known for its moving, heart-touching melody.
Many people likely still remember Minako Honda’s crystal-clear voice singing it.
With a title meaning “God’s wondrous grace,” the song is originally a hymn with lyrics by the English clergyman John Newton.
In the United States, it is cherished as a “second national anthem,” and in Japan it is widely used in films and TV dramas.
Because it consists of a simple 16-bar melody repeated, aim for an expressive performance by varying dynamics, phrasing, and arrangement.
5 Pieces (Suite of Trees), Op. 75: No. 1, When the Rowans BloomJean Sibelius
The first piece from Finnish composer Jean Sibelius’s Five Pieces (Trees), Op.
75.
It features a light, delicate melody that evokes small, charming blossoms.
The “pihlaja” in the title is known in Finland as the “tree of God,” and it’s said to appear on Moomin plates featuring the Nordic-born characters.
In a piece that depicts such flowers, it’s crucial to align the grains of sound and play with a delicate touch.
Try practicing by isolating sections and changing the rhythms, and be sure to listen closely to the sounds you produce as you practice.
Impromptu of the WindNakata Yoshinao
One track included in the album “Children’s Dreams” is striking for its refreshing melody that feels like a breeze passing through.
Its light, flowing, and free melodic line is pleasing to the ear, and the use of glissando adds a captivating touch that shines in recitals.
This 1-minute-20-second miniature blends graceful phrases with delicate touch, fully drawing out the piano’s expressive power.
Selected as a required piece for the Grade C category of the 2011 PTNA Piano Competition, it’s recommended for those who want to refine their technique while savoring the joy of music.
With natural fingerings that consider different hand sizes, it’s designed so anyone can enjoy playing it.
Music for Children, Op. 65: No. 4 “Tarantella”Sergei Prokofiev
This is a work by Sergei Prokofiev, a Russian composer counted among the great masters of the 20th century.
Music for Children, Op.
65 was composed around the time Prokofiev returned to his homeland in 1935 after going into exile in America and Europe following the Russian Revolution of 1917, and when he summoned his wife and child, who had remained in Paris, to join him.
No.
4 “Tarantella” is a vibrant piece that uses the rhythm of the fast Italian dance, the tarantella.
Aim for a clear tone that highlights each individual note distinctly as you play.
Piano Sonata K. 545 in C majorWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
This work harmoniously blends a serene, graceful melody with a light, sprightly rhythm.
Composed in three movements, it brims with the charm of feeling as though you are listening to a single story.
The first movement is marked by a bright, refreshing theme; the second unveils a gentle character, exuding elegance; and the third delights with a playful, luminous melody that lifts the heart.
Written in June 1788, the piece showcases Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s delicate technique and rich expressiveness to the fullest, offering a sound that is both dazzling and refined.
Filled with heartwarming melodies and the unique appeal of the piano, it is a highly recommended choice for those seeking a change of mood or a moment of calm.
[Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals] (91–100)
12 Variations on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman” (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Variations)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Some of you might be thinking, “Isn’t ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ way too easy?” Not so fast! It’s true that simple arrangements combining the melody with a minimal left-hand part appear in almost every beginner piano method book.
However, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s set of variations—commonly known as the ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Variations’—is a highly sophisticated work packed with techniques that even intermediate players find challenging.
Enjoy performing it as the familiar tune gradually transforms into arrangements that demand advanced technique and expressive nuance!