[Intermediate] Recommended Piano Duets | A Curated Selection of Cool and Dazzling Pieces
Piano duet pieces performed with four hands simultaneously are all dazzling and cool! When choosing a piece to present at a recital, many people may wonder, “What kind of piece will make a big impression?” or feel stuck because “They all seem difficult, and I can’t decide…”.
So this time, from among luxurious and brilliant duet pieces, we’re introducing recommended works at the intermediate level! They all sound grand, but since the parts are shared between two players and there are many intermediate-level arrangements, these pieces are easy to try without feeling overwhelmed.
We hope this helps you choose your next duet piece.
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[Intermediate] Recommended Piano Duets | A Curated Selection of Cool and Dazzling Pieces (41–50)
Piano Sonata in B-flat major, K. 381, for four handsWolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Mozart has created numerous masterpieces, and of course, he also wrote excellent works for piano four hands.
This time, I’d like to introduce one of them: the Piano Sonata in B-flat major for four hands, K.
381.
In terms of difficulty, it might be a bit challenging to call it an intermediate piece.
Both the main melody and the accompaniment feature fast passages, there are frequent octaves, and the hands often have to leap across the keyboard.
That said, it’s a highly impressive piece to listen to, so be sure to check it out.
[Intermediate] Recommended Piano Duets: A Curated Selection of Cool and Dazzling Pieces (51–60)
Aladdin: A Whole New WorldAlan Menken
A dreamily beautiful piano duet that colors one of Disney Animation’s most iconic scenes.
Its melody conjures the enchanting image of lovers freely soaring beneath a starry sky, expressed in a way that closely mirrors their feelings.
This work portrays the spirit of adventure and pure love of setting off on a magic carpet to discover a whole new world, and by June 1993 it had become a major hit in Japan alone, selling over 120,000 copies.
It also achieved the remarkable feat of winning both a Grammy Award and an Academy Award.
Performed as a piano duet with perfectly synchronized breathing and touch, it offers a wonderful time for teachers and students, parents and children, or friends to inspire one another.
Little Suite No. 1: En bateauClaude Debussy
Claude Debussy’s Petite Suite is well known as a piece suitable for intermediate players.
This time, I’d like to introduce the especially famous first movement, En bateau.
In terms of difficulty, it sits right in the middle of the intermediate range.
Set in G major and 6/8 time, the piece is characterized by a melody that rides over wave-like broken chords, creating a sound that is both brilliant and refreshingly light.
It’s a staple for recitals, so be sure to give it a listen.
Dragon Quest V “Overture”sugiyama kouichi
While searching for a piano duet piece for a recital, game music is also an option.
The “Overture” from the beloved national hit series Dragon Quest captivates audiences from its opening fanfare and is performed throughout the franchise.
Included in the piano collection “Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride,” supervised by Koichi Sugiyama, it can be performed with a level of fidelity that closely recreates the game’s original sound when using that score.
Frequently arranged for orchestra, the piece has a distinctly classical resonance, and its brilliant, grand melody will surely invite listeners into a hero’s adventure.
“Mars” from the suite The Planets, Op. 32-1Gustav Holst
When it comes to The Planets by the British composer Gustav Holst, most people think of Jupiter, but the first movement, Mars, is just as essential.
Characterized by its heavy use of repeated notes, it conveys the grandeur and majesty of the planets that exist in the cosmos.
Although originally an orchestral work, the piano sketch was written for two pianos, allowing it to be performed with a sound that loses little compared to the orchestral version.
Since its debut, the piece has made a strong impact among works themed on space and influenced ideas for later music, including John Williams’s Star Wars.
While performing it as a serious classical piano duet requires stamina, it is highly recommended for those considering an authentic classical duet for a piano recital.
Pairing it with the famous Jupiter will further highlight the appeal of the suite The Planets.
Suite ‘The Nutcracker,’ Op. 71a – TrepakPyotr Tchaikovsky
How about the suite The Nutcracker by Pyotr Tchaikovsky? This piece comes from the ballet The Nutcracker.
While the original is known as an orchestral work, there are also scores arranged for piano four hands.
Among those, a particularly popular and dazzling selection is the Russian Dance, or Trepak.
Some people associate it with the movie Home Alone, but the piece used in the film is a different work composed very much in a similar vein with a similar character.
From the very beginning, the music bursts with a lively melody and a sense of drive.
Thanks to its brilliant, joyful character, it’s an excellent recommendation as a duet piece for a recital.
Sing, Sing, SingLouis Prima
If you’re aiming for a show-stopping performance with a piano duet, why not step into the world of jazz? “Sing, Sing, Sing,” composed by Louis Prima, is a perfect fit for four-hand playing, with the distinctive rhythm and dynamism of swing jazz.
There are plenty of arrangements suitable for intermediate players, and its catchy melody line captivates both audience and listeners.
In particular, the sections inspired by clarinet and trumpet take on a fresh allure when played on the piano.