[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!
- [Intermediate Level] A curated selection of piano masterpieces featuring strikingly brilliant melodies!
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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
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- [Intermediate] Recommended Piano Duets | A Curated Selection of Cool and Dazzling Pieces
- [Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive, and Popular Pieces
- 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 [Also Recommended for Recitals] (41–50)
Arabesque No. 1Claude Debussy
This piece was composed by the French Impressionist composer Claude Debussy and is often featured in commercials in Japan.
It’s an exceptionally elegant work that matches the piano’s timbre perfectly, and it’s also known as a piece many piano learners aspire to play.
The title “Arabesque” refers to Islamic art.
If you picture the beautiful geometric patterns found in mosques, it may help you grasp the character of the music.
Like those geometric designs, a key practice point is the sections where the left and right hands play in different meters.
ToccataAram Khachaturian
Composed in 1932 while Aram Khachaturian was still a student at the Moscow Conservatory, the Toccata is a vibrant work that, while influenced by the Baroque, incorporates the rhythms of Armenian folk music and techniques of modern music.
Although its performance time is only about five minutes, it is structured to showcase pianistic technique to the fullest, making it an excellent choice for piano students who want a piece with strong audience appeal for a recital.
Powerful yet delicate, this dynamic work inspires a spirit of challenge and is sure to further ignite one’s enthusiasm for the piano.
Tufted puffinHakasé Tarō
Etupirika, composed by Taro Hakase, one of Japan’s leading violinists, is well known as the ending theme of the documentary program “Jounetsu Tairiku.” While it pairs beautifully with the clear, soaring tone of the violin, it can also be performed movingly on the piano without losing the piece’s unique atmosphere.
To convey the openness of the original, it’s important to incorporate a wide range of dynamics and expression.
Choose a score arrangement that matches your skill level from the many available, and aim for a grand, expansive performance by imagining vast natural landscapes as you play.
Nocturne No. 2, Op. 9-2Frederic Chopin
Frédéric Chopin’s Nocturne No.
2 in E-flat major, Op.
9 No.
2, is one of his most popular nocturnes and is widely loved as soothing music.
Its flowing, lyrical melody at a relaxed tempo is easy to grasp even for those who have just started playing the piano, making it a approachable piece to work on.
However, mastering the left-hand leaps requires careful practice.
First practice hands separately to firmly internalize the distances of the shifts, then put the hands together slowly, dividing the piece into sections.
To play it beautifully, it’s important to practice steadily and patiently without rushing.
Pirates of the Caribbean: “He’s a Pirate”Klaus Badelt＆Hans Zimmer
When it comes to recitals, many people picture performing canonical classical pieces.
However, arrangements of pop, film music, and rock have become extremely popular in recent years.
“He’s a Pirate” is one of those pieces! To play this theme from the film Pirates of the Caribbean with style, it’s important to practice with a sense of drive, precise rhythm, and crisp articulation.
Practicing with a metronome is also highly recommended!
Holberg Suite No. 1: PreludeEdvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite, composed in 1884, evokes the Baroque era.
Among its movements, the first, “Prelude,” brims with a lofty atmosphere reminiscent of Johann Sebastian Bach’s works.
It is by no means an easy piece, but with careful practice—incorporating finger fundamentals and sectional work—you will be able to fully convey its energetic sound world.
The sparkling, almost visualizable melody seems likely to shine even more brightly when played by a girl! Why not prepare for your recital by practicing with the image of performing confidently before an audience?
18 Characteristic Etudes, Op. 109 No. 13 “The Great Thunderstorm”Johann Burgmüller
No.
13 “The Thunderstorm” from Johann Burgmüller’s set of piano studies 18 Characteristic Studies, Op.
109—by the composer best known for 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op.
100, which many piano students tackle—is a perfect piece for a striking recital performance.
With its powerful interplay of storm-like ferocity and calm, and the sense of release in the coda like the return of clear skies, this piece leaves a vivid impression on listeners.
For upper elementary school students, it’s a major opportunity to explore expressiveness and emotional nuance.
While refining technique, value the story of the music and aim for a performance that breathes with life.