[Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students

Waltz No. 6 in D-flat major, Op. 64 No. 1 “Minute Waltz” (“Little Dog Waltz”)Frederic Chopin

Chopin: Waltz No. 6 “Minute Waltz” in D-flat major, Op. 64-1 / Kippei Kuniyasu (46th Prize Winners’ Memorial Concert, Category B [Gold Prize])

Frédéric Chopin’s Waltz No.

6 in D-flat major, Op.

64-1, is a perennial favorite at recitals.

Affectionately known as the “Minute Waltz” or “Little Dog Waltz,” this piece is said to be an impromptu portrayal of George Sand’s pet dog twirling in circles while chasing its tail.

Its light, playful melody continues to capture hearts across generations.

Imagining the cute movements of a puppy while playing can further refine children’s technique and musical sensitivity.

Children’s Album, Volume 1, “Picture Book of Boyhood”: No. 7, Hobbyhorse (Cavalry)Aram Khachaturian

Wooden Horse (Khachaturian – Childhood Photograph)

This piece features a lively triple meter that races lightly forward, brilliantly capturing the innocent playfulness of children.

Rich in narrative character, it deftly portrays in music the swaying sensation of kids riding a hobbyhorse and the exhilaration of playing cavalry.

Selected from a set of piano miniatures composed in 1926, it is rhythmic yet infused with a mysterious aura that captivates listeners.

Despite its simple accompaniment, it possesses a unique charm, making it an ideal addition to the performance repertoire of piano students.

Tarantella from ‘Album for the Young’William Gillock

2022 PTNA Competition National Finals, Grade B, No. 47, Gold Prize: Kippei Kuniyasu

William Gillock’s “Tarantella” is a piece beloved by many piano learners for its lively rhythm and striking melody.

While it requires keeping a precise beat and producing even, well-shaped notes, its overall difficulty is not very high, making it approachable even for beginner children.

Characterized by its distinctive 6/8 meter, it’s important to feel the off-beats and maintain forward motion without letting the flow stall.

Pay attention to fingering in practice as well, so you can play cleanly without notes tumbling.

Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 15 “Ballade”Johann Burgmüller

15. Ballade / Burgmüller 25 Etudes - Burgmüller: 25 No.15 Ballade - Classical Piano - CANACANA

This is an elegant piece that exudes a mysterious atmosphere from the opening.

Its compelling structure—rich in narrative thanks to the contrast between C minor and C major—captivates the listener as it shifts from a tense first section to a serene middle passage.

The scene woven by the right hand’s repeated notes and the left hand’s flowing patterns evokes the image of a solitary traveler journeying through a forest.

Johann Burgmüller balances expressive richness with technical elements to great effect.

This work is recommended for those interested in pieces with a strong narrative quality or who enjoy dramatic expression.

Published in Paris in 1851, it continues to be cherished by many performers today.

Csikos PostHermann Necke

Necke: Csikos Post (H. Necke, Csikos Post) (Piano Sheet Music)

This gem of a piece is distinguished by its lively rhythm and dynamic, driving melody.

Evoking images of a carriage racing across the grasslands and the sound of horses’ hooves, it’s crafted with rapid left-hand passages and a leaping right-hand melody.

While it has a pop-like atmosphere, the middle section weaves in an elegant, serene tune that captivates listeners.

In Japan, it has become a staple as background music for sports days and is beloved across generations; it was also featured in the 1990s video game “Downtown Nekketsu Kōshinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundōkai.” Brilliant and striking in performance, this work is arranged to be approachable even for players with smaller hands, making it an ideal choice for those looking to energize a piano recital.

Carnival BallWilliam Gillock

[Piano Recital Recommendation] Carnival Ball ♪ Gillock / Carnival Ball, Gillock

This piece is a brilliant, rhythmic work inspired by Brazil’s Carnival, featuring striking samba rhythms and melodies.

Its left-hand syncopation and lively right-hand phrases are captivating, vividly expressing the dynamism of Latin music.

Published in 1969, it conveys a passionate atmosphere despite its simplicity and has an addictive quality that makes both performers and listeners instinctively start to move.

With an energetic, cool character that’s perfect for boys, it’s sure to energize the venue when performed at a piano recital.

Combining a natural flow that masks its technical demands with strong stage appeal that enchants audiences, it’s a superb piece.

“The Four Seasons” — From 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op. 37bis: “February: Carnival”Pyotr Tchaikovsky

2008 Prizewinner Commemoration Ryota Suzuki / Tchaikovsky: The Seasons – February, Carnival

A celebrated collection by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Seasons – 12 Characteristic Pieces, Op.

37bis, consists of twelve beautiful miniatures depicting Russia’s four seasons.

Among them, February: Carnival, which portrays the lively festivities of the Russian people enjoying their carnival, is a perfect showpiece for a recital.

The charm of this piece lies in its dazzling, almost explosive joy and Tchaikovsky’s characteristically vivid coloristic expression.

Imagine the Russian people unable to contain their excitement even in the harsh cold, and perform with a bright, clear tone.