Poignant and beautiful! A collection of recommended piano pieces

Moonlight, Movement IRūtovihi Van Bētōven

Moonlight Sonata 1st Movement Piano Sonata / Beethoven / Moonlight Sonata (1st Movement) / Classic Piano / Classical / CANACANA

When it comes to Beethoven’s piano pieces, many people probably picture the first movement of the Moonlight Sonata before anything else.

While the Moonlight Sonata as a whole is challenging and even advanced players can make mistakes, the first movement is a different story—it’s at a level that even children can play.

Since the right hand handles both the melody and the accompaniment, it may be too hard for absolute beginners, but if your hand can reach an octave, you shouldn’t have any trouble.

Be sure to check it out.

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Ryo

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Liebesträume No. 3Franz Liszt

List: Liebesträume No. 3 / Kyohei Sorita

Franz Liszt’s Liebesträume No.

3, renowned for the beauty of its melody, is a widely beloved work that appears not only in concerts and recitals but also in films and TV dramas.

Originally composed as the song “O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst” (“Oh, love as long as you can”), it was later arranged by Liszt himself for solo piano, and today it is more often performed as a piano piece.

Its romantic character makes it perfect for relaxing on a pleasant autumn evening or for savoring its beautiful melody while playing.

Be sure to immerse yourself in its depth this arts-filled autumn.

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yuri

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From ‘Requiem’ in ParadiseGabriel Fauré

From Requiem, 'In Paradise' / Gabriel Fauré: Piano (Solo) / Intermediate

Arranged for solo piano from a religious piece notable for its angelic, graceful melody, this work captivates with its gentle, soothing character.

It is a movement from a composition first performed in January 1888 at the Church of La Madeleine in Paris, and many listeners may recognize it from its frequent use in films and television.

The tender, heavenward flow of sound is filled with consolation and hope, showcasing delicate expressions characteristic of the French style throughout.

With few technical demands and a relaxed tempo, it is an enjoyable piece for piano learners to practice.

It is an ideal choice when you wish to calm the mind or perform with a tranquil spirit.

Barcarolle No. 10 in A minor, Op. 104-2Gabriel Fauré

Fauré Op.104-2 Barcarolle No.10 in A minor Fauré Barcarolle No.10 with Score Sheet Music [Kero]

This piece is notable for its 6/8 rhythm that ripples smoothly like a water’s surface.

Published in 1913, it unfolds a beautiful melody imbued with deep emotion within the key of A minor.

The shifting, dreamlike harmonies and the delicate interplay of rhythms between the two hands vividly evoke the image of a gondola drifting across the waters of Venice.

While it begins with a gentle character, the music gradually builds in the middle section, growing richer in texture—a compelling structural feature.

For piano learners, it is an ideal work to cultivate nuanced expression while maintaining a fundamental rhythmic pattern.

Highly recommended for those who wish to savor the refined atmosphere characteristic of French music.

Piano Sonata No. 2, Third Movement “Funeral March”Frederic Chopin

Chopin: Funeral March [05_Dark and Sad Classical Piano Piece with Sheet Music and Commentary]

This is a movement from Frédéric Chopin’s piano sonata that opens with chords reminiscent of a solemn tolling bell.

A deeply sinking melody follows, gripping the listener’s heart and refusing to let go.

In the middle section, a celestial and sweet melody unfolds, as if gently enveloping the darkness that preceded it.

This very contrast is the source of the work’s irresistible allure.

This movement was also performed in October 1849 at Chopin’s funeral, and its majestic resonance has been used at many ceremonies for prominent figures.

It is a celebrated movement to hear when you wish to be close to profound sorrow and to feel the quiet beauty and prayer that dwell within it.

Gaspard of the Night, M. 55: II. The GallowsMaurice Ravel

Gaspard of the Night, M. 55: II. The Gallows

One of the pieces from Maurice Ravel’s 1908 piano suite Gaspard de la nuit, it sonically depicts the desolate scene portrayed in the poetry of Aloysius Bertrand.

A defining feature of this work is the relentless repetition of the same note—symbolizing a distant tolling bell—more than 150 times from beginning to end.

Over this monotonous resonance, eerie harmonies accumulate, drawing the listener into a meditative world dominated by the stillness of death.

For performers, maintaining strict tempo and a delicate balance of sonorities is essential; otherwise, the work’s overwhelming gloom may be compromised—making it a formidable challenge.

It is frequently programmed in competitions.

Consider listening to it when you wish to encounter the quiet beauty that lies at the depths of sorrow.

Nocturne No. 19 in E minor, Op. 72 No. 1, “Posthumous”Frederic Chopin

Chopin – Nocturne no. 19 in E minor, op. posth. 72 no. 1 – Takagi Ryoma

Composed around 1827, this nocturne is imbued with a depth of melancholy that seems far beyond the work of a mere seventeen-year-old.

The left hand’s unceasing triplet arpeggios convey the tremors of the heart, while the simple, plaintive melody in the right hand gently voices feelings kept hidden within.

Although the piece begins in E minor, it is notable for closing quietly in a warm major key, suggesting a calm solace after tears.

It was also used in the TV drama Fringe.

It’s a piece that accompanies those moods when you want to spend a sentimental night in quiet contemplation.