[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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- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- [For Adults] Recommended for Piano Recitals! A Curated Selection of Impressively Sounding Masterpieces
- [Piano Recital] Perfect Pieces for Middle Schoolers! A Curated Selection of Impressive, Audience-Pleasing Works
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- [Intermediate] Recommended Piano Duets | A Curated Selection of Cool and Dazzling Pieces
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- Beginner to Intermediate: Chopin pieces with relatively low difficulty. Recommended works by Chopin.
- [For Advanced Players] A Curated Selection of Classical Masterpieces to Tackle at Piano Recitals
- [For Piano Recitals] Simple yet Cool Classical Pieces
- [Classical Music] All pieces under 3 minutes! A collection of short and cool piano pieces
[Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals] (21–30)
Suite Ma mère l’Oye, No. 1: Pavane of the Sleeping BeautyMaurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel’s Ma mère l’Oye, composed by the French composer and based on the traditional English nursery tales of Mother Goose, was originally written for piano four hands.
Orchestral and ballet versions derived from it are also widely beloved.
The first piece of the suite, Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty, is based on the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty and evokes a mysterious feeling, as if drifting within a dream.
Aim to perform with a soft, rounded tone to create a delicate, gentle atmosphere.
Sonatina Op. 40, Movement II: MinuetMaurice Ravel
Sonatine M.40 was written for a composition competition hosted by a certain magazine.
The work was later dedicated to a pair of Polish brothers whom Maurice Ravel was fond of.
Following the first movement, composed in sonatina form, the second movement is a beautiful piece whose delicate, faintly colored melodies evoke a range of emotions—yearning, loneliness, joy, and more.
The key to performance is to play with ease while avoiding brusqueness, paying close attention to the score’s subtle expressive markings.
Impromptu Op. 90 No. 3Franz Schubert
Franz Schubert’s Impromptu Op.
90 No.
3 is distinguished by its graceful melody.
Its gentle flow allows for expressive nuance and emotional depth, making it a guaranteed showpiece on any recital stage.
If you can accurately control the ever-moving left-hand accompaniment at a comfortable tempo while being mindful of phrase connections and dynamics, your performance will reach the next level.
This piece is packed with the essential elements needed for those looking to advance beyond the intermediate stage, so why not take this opportunity to give it a try?
Waltz No. 14 in E minor, Op. posth.Frederic Chopin
Frédéric Chopin’s Waltz No.
14 in E minor, Op.
posth., brims with vitality, letting you revel in the piano’s richly expressive sonorities.
While it demands solid technique, those who take it on boldly will find the sense of accomplishment all the greater.
Its rich dynamics, revealing different characters in each section, are captivating for both performer and audience.
Performed at a recital, its expressive breadth is sure to resonate deeply.
It’s a highly recommended piece for all who love the piano—do give it a try.
Five Pieces (Tree Suite), Op. 75: No. 5 “The Spruce”Jean Sibelius
A work by Jean Sibelius, Finland’s national composer.
This calm and beautiful piece evokes a snowy mountain landscape lined with fir trees.
Composed in 1914, it concludes a suite of five pieces themed around trees.
It is important to portray the fir standing in stillness with a delicate touch.
As you play each note with care, why not let your thoughts drift to the great nature of the Nordic lands? It is also popular as a recital piece or encore and is beloved by piano students.
With its graceful melody and rich expressive potential, it’s perfect for intermediate players, helping to refine not only technique but also musicality.
Bergamasque Suite No. 4 “Passepied”Claude Debussy
Among the pieces in Claude Debussy’s Suite bergamasque, “Passepied” is distinguished by its atmosphere that combines lightness with elegance.
Begun in 1890 and revised and published in 1905, the suite is based on a dance originating in Brittany.
It contains passages that demand both delicate touch and bold expression, such as the left hand’s continuous eighth‑note accompaniment and 3‑against‑4 polyrhythms, making it a perfect work for piano students aiming to improve their skills.
Cherish the lively, airy mood, and perform it with expressive nuance!
Sea Journal No. 24: ‘The Broken Murmur of the Tides’Miyoshi Akira
Here I’d like to introduce a Japanese piano piece as well: Akira Miyoshi’s masterpiece “Sea Diary.” The piece “Sea Diary No.
24: ‘Broken Surf’” has the most pages in the collection.
The key features of this work are, above all, its abundance of fine notes and its fast tempo.
In particular, the tempo in the first measure is extremely fast; judging by that section alone, it could be considered intermediate level.
From there, the tempo gradually settles down, but starting at measure 25 the key changes, which ramps the tension back up, so be sure to maintain a strong awareness of dynamics throughout.
