[Beginner] Recommended Piano Duets | A curated selection of pieces enjoyable for both adults and children

The Carnival of the Animals, No. 13: The SwanCamille Saint-Saëns

C. Saint-Saëns = L. Garban The Carnival of the Animals Duoal performs The Carnival of the Animals, piano four hands version!

The piece often performed as a duet, “The Swan” from The Carnival of the Animals No.

13, is one that anyone with even a little knowledge of piano will recognize.

While “The Swan” is of intermediate difficulty as a solo, it can be considered relatively easy as a duet.

For the primo part, since the original is a leisurely cello melody, it’s particularly approachable.

It’s a famous work that sounds impressive, so be sure to listen to it as a reference for a piano recital.

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Ryo

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Rather than “The Carnival Has Come,” it went, “There were two mischievous kittens.”Hirayoshi Takeshu

[Piano Duo First Step] 39. There Were Two Mischievous Kittens (Takashi Hikyoku) Piano Duet Classical

This is “There Were Two Mischievous Kittens,” an original piano duet by a Japanese composer from the collection “The Carnival Has Arrived.” In our videos for intermediate players, we’ve often featured fun, cool, and up-tempo pieces, but this one has many calm and beautiful passages and is easy to play, making it a great recommendation for intermediates.

As the title “There Were Two Mischievous Kittens” suggests, the character of the music reflects that image.

Because the musical expression is easy to grasp, intermediate players should be able to perform it comfortably.

It’s also recommended as an encore piece for concerts.

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sai-kisaragi

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From the suite ‘Ma mère l’Oye’: No. 1 Pavane of the Sleeping BeautyMaurice Ravel

[Piano Four Hands] Ravel — Ma Mère l’Oye, No. 1: Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty

An elegant piano duet inspired by the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty.

Written for two children, it is considerate in its technical demands and not overly difficult.

Its gentle melody in A minor conveys a dreamlike sense of comfort.

Although it lasts only about a minute and a half, it unfolds a delicate world built on the classical pavane dance form.

The layered chords and richly colored sonorities produced by four hands offer a depth of musical experience unattainable in a solo performance.

Composed in 1908, it was later arranged for orchestra and ballet.

This piece is recommended for those who wish to leave a dazzling impression at recitals or concerts.

Pavane for a Dead PrincessMaurice Ravel

Ravel: Pavane for a Dead Princess (piano four hands) pf. Hiroshi Nagao; pf. Ami Fujiwara

Maurice Ravel, the great French composer who created numerous masterpieces with his distinctive musical voice.

Among his works, Pavane for a Dead Princess is particularly famous.

While Pavane for a Dead Princess is often tackled by intermediate players, the duet version is just barely manageable even for beginners.

Because it involves frequent hand crossings and large leaps on the keyboard, it’s a piano duet I’d especially recommend for adult beginners.

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Ryo

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From the suite ‘Ma mère l’Oye’: No. 4, ‘Dialogue of Beauty and the Beast’Maurice Ravel

From the suite 'Ma mère l'Oye': IV. Conversation of Beauty and the Beast / M. Ravel (piano four hands)

A piano duet inspired by the fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast,” this masterpiece weaves delicate beauty with grand drama.

The interplay between clarinet depicting Beauty and contrabassoon portraying the Beast is striking, creating a vivid sense of witnessing a conversation between the two.

Premiered in Paris in April 1910, it has also been used in ballet and visual media for its graceful melodies and rich narrative quality.

While it demands advanced technique and expressive nuance from the performers, its fairy-tale foundation lends it an approachable charm, making it a sparkling gem that stands out in concerts and recitals.

Highly recommended for those who want to savor the lush resonance of two pianos and the exhilarating tension of breathing in unison with a partner.