[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] (51–60)
Lyric Pieces, Book VIII, Op. 65: No. 6, Wedding Day at TroldhaugenEdvard Grieg
Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, included in the eighth book of Lyric Pieces—a collection of piano works that Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg wrote over more than 30 years.
Troldhaugen is the name of the place where Grieg and his wife Nina lived, and this piece is dedicated to Nina.
The various themes in the piece differ completely in both tempo and character, making it ideal for developing expressive skills.
If you imagine specific scenes in your own way as you play, you’ll be able to perform with greater emotional richness.
Etude Op.10 No.3 “Farewell”Frederic Chopin
Among the highly artistic études composed by Frédéric Chopin, the Etude Op.
10 No.
3, known as “Tristesse” (“Farewell”), is particularly well-known and is used in a variety of contexts such as television, commercials, and films.
With its beautiful melodic line and elegant rhythm, it is a soothing masterpiece that captivates listeners.
While the theme section is relaxed, the middle section gradually gains motion and brings a succession of chords that require advanced technique.
Although it is called an étude, it is perfect not only for finger training but also for honing expressiveness and musicality.
With future advancement in mind, be sure to take on the challenge!
Moments Musicaux, Op. 16 No. 3 in B minorSergei Rachmaninov
Six Moments Musicaux, Op.
16, is a set of six impromptu, free-form pieces.
Among these works, which fully showcase Sergei Rachmaninoff’s characteristic sense of melancholy, No.
3 in B minor is known for being relatively less difficult, making it approachable even for intermediate players.
However, simply playing the notes will not convey the depth of this piece.
Perform it with care, savoring each element—the melody steeped in a heart-wrenching sorrow and the harmonies that envelop it.
Symphonia No. 1 in C majorJ.S.Bach
This delightful miniature features a bright, lively three-voice piano melody and was composed in 1720 for the education of the composer’s son.
From the very opening, the flowing main theme is elegantly handed from the upper voice to the middle and then the lower, showcasing the intricate counterpoint characteristic of Baroque music.
Its unbroken melodic lines and pleasing harmonic progressions are full of charm that captivates listeners.
The passages speak clearly, the phrasing connects naturally, and it is an ideal performance piece for upper-elementary students.
With its sparkling layers of sound and rich expressiveness, it will lend a brilliant flourish to any recital stage.
[Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Also Great for Recitals] (61–70)
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!
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, Variation 18Sergei Rachmaninov
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.
43 is a work composed in the form of a piano concerto.
Based on the theme of No.
24 from Niccolò Paganini’s 24 Caprices—Paganini being hailed as the “legendary violinist” for his transcendental virtuosity—it unfolds across 24 variations.
Among them, the 18th variation is especially popular, captivating many with its graceful and alluring melody and harmonies.
Aim to bring out the melodic line within the chords, and perform it gently yet romantically.
The Confectionery World, No. 14: “Demon Arare”Yuyama Akira
This is a short piece included on the album “The World of Sweets,” notable for its glittering, hard-edged piano sound.
Composed in 1973, the work creates a highly original sound world that brilliantly fuses Japanese and Western elements within a brief span of 1 minute and 25 seconds.
It opens in A minor with a 4/4 meter, achieving a hard, springy sonority through skillful use of dissonance and staccato.
With three-voice textures, complex rhythms, and thematic variations, it combines performance difficulty with strong appeal.
Frequently performed at recitals and competitions, it is cherished as a piece that tests expressive ability.
Highly recommended for those seeking fresh facets of classical music, it makes an effective closer for a program.