[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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[Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Also Great for Recitals] (81–90)
Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven
“Für Elise” is a piece composed by the renowned Beethoven and a familiar piano work that anyone learning the piano dreams of playing at least once.
There are many arrangements of this piece as well, and it’s no exaggeration to say it’s the most widely recognized among classical piano works.
That said, many people can play the opening somewhat, but… not much more.
Why not take this opportunity to gain the experience of properly playing a famous piece from beginning to end? By playing through the entire work, you will surely learn even more.
Suite “Dolly,” Op. 56 No. 2 “Mi-a-ou”Gabriel Fauré
This charming piano duet was created as a gift for a young girl.
Composed in June 1894 to celebrate a delightful second birthday, it features a pleasantly waltz-like rhythm and exudes a lively, spirited atmosphere.
Its bright, bouncing melody evokes the innocent laughter and smiles of children, wrapping listeners in a warm, gentle feeling.
While it possesses the elegance and delicacy characteristic of French music, its technical demands are kept modest, making it ideal for piano learners.
It’s a perfect choice for those who wish to enjoy a duet with family or friends, or who want to perform music with a warm, heartfelt character.
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.
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.
Arabesque No. 2Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy wrote two Arabesques in his lifetime.
Of these, the Arabesque No.
2 is performed less frequently than the first, yet it is a light, beautiful piece that is very popular among piano learners.
The term “arabesque” refers to the Arabic-style ornamental patterns that were fashionable at the time.
The dazzling, triplet-rich melodic lines may be meant to evoke those delicate, Arabic-inspired motifs composed of interlacing curves.
When you play it, try not to focus only on the fine movement of the notes, but also savor the beauty of the shifting harmonies.
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.
[Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals] (91–100)
Prelude (I) from Le Tombeau de CouperinMaurice Ravel
Le Tombeau de Couperin, a set of six pieces imbued with remembrance for acquaintances who perished in World War I.
The first piece, Prélude, is dedicated to Lieutenant Jacques Charlot, who arranged Maurice Ravel’s four-hand suite Ma mère l’Oye for solo piano.
Its light, animated character subtly evokes the atmosphere of Baroque and Classical preludes.
As you practice, try incorporating exercises that promote finger independence so the sound remains clear and steady at the brisk tempo, avoiding muddiness or stumbling.