[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.
- [Piano Duets] Guaranteed to get the crowd excited! A roundup of recommended pieces
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- [Advanced] Piano Duet Works | Exquisite Masterpieces to Savor the Rich, Weighty Sonorities of Four Hands
- [Piano Duets] Perfect for recitals! A carefully curated selection of brilliant, crowd-pleasing works
- [For Intermediate Players] Challenge Yourself! Recommended Masterpieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
- [Intermediate Level] A curated selection of piano masterpieces featuring strikingly brilliant melodies!
- [Beginner] Recommended Piano Duets | A curated selection of pieces enjoyable for both adults and children
- [For Adults] Recommended for Piano Recitals! A Curated Selection of Impressively Sounding Masterpieces
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- [Piano Recital] Perfect Pieces for Middle Schoolers! A Curated Selection of Impressive, Audience-Pleasing Works
- For Advanced Players: Showstopping Classics to Play at a Piano Recital
- [Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive, and Popular Pieces
[Intermediate] Recommended Piano Duets: A Curated Selection of Cool and Dazzling Pieces (51–60)
Beautiful RosemaryFritz Kreisler
As a sparkling and beautiful classical piano duet, I recommend Fritz Kreisler’s “Schön Rosmarin” (“Lovely Rosemary”).
It’s a piece that makes you feel as if you were at a ball, and Kreisler, a violinist, often performed it as an encore at his own concerts.
This work has been arranged for piano four hands, and it fills listeners with a sense of elegance.
It’s a three-beat waltz that is bright, dazzling, and easy to listen to.
The character is that of a typical Viennese waltz popular in 19th-century Vienna, and playing it on the piano can make you feel like nobility.
It’s also a great recommendation for anyone looking for classical piano duet repertoire.
Theme of Lupin the ThirdŌno Yūji
When people talk about songs that would be cool to play, many probably think of “Theme from Lupin the Third.” Composed by Yuji Ohno, this main theme has appeared in many arrangements throughout the series, and each version continues to captivate fans.
Every episode of the anime Lupin the Third remains engaging thanks to its charming characters, and the music draws you deeper into Lupin’s world.
Why not consider “Theme from Lupin the Third” as a candidate for a piano duet at a recital?
Overture to the operetta ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’Jacques Offenbach
Familiar as a “sports day song,” Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld Overture is a breathless, high-energy piece that makes you want to dash off the moment you hear it.
It isn’t performed on piano all that often, but if two players synchronize their parts in a duet, you can capture all the excitement of a school sports festival.
In this piece, the light, driving accompaniment is absolutely crucial! In particular, the player on the secondo part should practice carefully with a metronome to avoid heaviness or rhythmic instability.
Friend Like Me from the movie AladdinAlan Menken
“Friend Like Me,” a song from the Disney movie Aladdin that’s hugely popular in Japan as well, enjoys strong acclaim as a number from the film.
With the live-action reboot released a few years ago, many of you probably still remember it vividly.
The charm of this piece lies above all in its jazzy melody.
While it’s catchy, it also offers plenty of technical highlights; the player handling the main melody in particular will likely struggle with some sizable keyboard leaps.
There are many cross-hand passages too, making it a rewarding piece for duet performance.
Be sure to check it out.
Recommended Piano Duets for Intermediate Players | A Curated Selection of Cool and Dazzling Works (61–70)
The Carnival of the Animals, No. 13: The SwanCamille Saint-Saëns
The Carnival of the Animals, a suite by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, is often performed as piano four-hands or on two pianos, eight hands.
The 13th movement, The Swan, is especially popular within the suite for its beautiful melody and elegant atmosphere, and it’s at a level that intermediate players can comfortably perform as a duet.
However, to convey the cello’s unhurried melody on the piano, you must maintain thorough legato so the sound never breaks for even an instant.
Because it’s a famous and impressive piece to listen to, those looking for a duet to perform at a recital should definitely check it out.
Dolly Suite, Op. 56: No. 4, Kitty WaltzGabriel Faure
Gabriel Fauré, the great French composer known for his fondness for unusual twists.
Among his works for piano four hands, the “Dolly Suite,” Op.
56 No.
4, “Kitty-Valse,” is especially popular.
As a movement from the middle of the suite, it is characterized by a calm, gentle waltz style.
In terms of difficulty, it’s roughly comparable to the first piece, the Berceuse.
It’s approachable even for beginners, so starting with this piece is highly recommended.
Dragon Quest V “Wedding Waltz”sugiyama kouichi
The nationally popular game Dragon Quest, which invites players on a hero’s adventure, features the “Wedding Waltz,” now arranged for piano four hands.
Supervised by composer Koichi Sugiyama, it is included in the piano collection Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride.
The piece plays during a pivotal scene in the game and leaves a strong impression on those who have played it.
It’s no exaggeration to say this piece represents Dragon Quest V.
Stylistically, it’s a typical Viennese waltz of the 19th century, giving it a very classical feel.
It’s a brilliant, fully realized composition that could easily be mistaken for standard classical repertoire if one didn’t know the game, and it would fit naturally in a piano recital.
It’s best performed with a bright, bridal image in mind.