Difficult Piano Pieces: From Classical to Jazz Piano
For those with a deep appreciation for the piano, there often comes a time—once a certain level of knowledge and technique has been acquired—when they gravitate toward listening to more challenging pieces.
Among the many genres, classical and jazz piano in particular feature numerous highly demanding works that have long stood as formidable obstacles for many performers.
This time, we’ve picked out some especially difficult piano pieces.
From jazz piano that emphasizes rapid runs, to classical works with extreme leaps in the scale, and even contemporary classical pieces that combine both traits, we’ve selected from a wide range of styles—so be sure to check them out.
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- [Ultra-Advanced] Even challenging for advanced players! A curated selection of highly difficult piano pieces
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- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
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- It’s so cool if you can play these on the piano! A selection of irresistibly charming masterpieces.
- [Intermediate] Recommended Piano Duets | A Curated Selection of Cool and Dazzling Pieces
- [Advanced] A Comprehensive Introduction to the Difficult Piano Pieces of Chopin, the Poet of the Piano!
- Piano Masterpieces: Music you’ll want to listen to and play—beloved classic works
Challenging Piano Pieces | From Classical to Jazz Piano (21–30)
Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S.514 “Dance in the Village Inn”Franz Liszt
Beloved as a recital staple, this passionate waltz portrays the romance between a devilish fiddler and a beautiful dancer.
It is a work by Franz Liszt, a pianist emblematic of the 19th-century Romantic era.
Composed between 1856 and 1861, it musically depicts a sensual tale set in a village tavern.
From the opening’s stacked fifths ringing out to the romantic melodies woven into driving rhythms, it irresistibly captivates listeners.
The piece has been used in numerous films and TV dramas, where its dramatic musicality proves highly effective on screen.
It makes full use of pianistic virtuosity—an ideal choice if you want to dazzle the audience at your recital.
Spanish Suite No. 1, Op. 47 ‘Asturias’Isaac Albéniz
Let me introduce a captivating piece from the passionate and striking piano suite “Suite Española No.
1, Op.
47,” which portrays landscapes and culture from various regions of Spain through music.
This work masterfully contrasts a mysterious middle section with a powerful rhythmic theme, and employs a distinctive technique that expresses guitar-like playing on the piano.
Composed in 1886, it has been used in films, television programs, and commercials, capturing the hearts of many.
It is recommended for those with solid piano technique and for performers aiming for richly expressive playing.
With its richly flavored style infused with elements of Spanish folk music, it is sure to mesmerize audiences at recitals.
Challenging Piano Pieces | A Selection from Classical to Jazz Piano (31–40)
Toccata from Le Tombeau de CouperinMaurice Ravel
This piece, which serves as the finale of a six-movement suite composed in memory of friends who died in World War I, is distinguished by its fast tempo and virtuosic passages—a gem that adds a modern interpretation to a form developed since the Baroque era.
Premiered at the Salle Gaveau in Paris in April 1919, it has continued to captivate performers and audiences alike ever since.
In addition to its brilliant and powerful sonorities, it masterfully fuses Maurice Ravel’s distinctive harmonies and rhythmic sense, overwhelming listeners with its intensity.
Although it demands advanced technical skill, it is a superb work that can enthrall a live audience, making it a perfect choice for those who wish to perform at a piano recital.
15 Virtuoso Études, Op. 72 No. 2Moritz Moszkowski
A Romantic masterpiece woven from passionate melodies and meticulous technique.
Despite its brief duration of about two minutes, this work captivates listeners with the striking triplets resonating in the left hand.
In keeping with the Allegro brillante marking, it calls for an approach that exudes brilliance, demanding both rich expressiveness and assured technical skill.
With a delicate touch that emphasizes wrist rotation to make each note sparkle, it will add radiance to any recital stage.
Published in Paris in 1903, this piece is a compelling addition to the repertoire, opening a new musical door beyond Czerny.
From Eight Concert Etudes: No. 8 “Finale”Nikolai Kapustin
This classical piano piece skillfully incorporates elements of jazz, resulting in a highly effective work brimming with power and energy.
A forceful first theme grounded in eighth notes intertwines beautifully with a softer second theme, all framed in a brilliant sonata form.
Composed in 1984, the piece features complex rhythmic structures and rapid passages that demand advanced technique, yet it also conveys the lightness and freedom characteristic of jazz.
Combining classical virtuosity with jazz-like rhythmic sensibility, it is sure to captivate audiences in a recital.
While it requires substantial practice time, it is an ideal choice for advanced players who wish to present a dazzling, audience-pleasing work.
12 Transcendental Etudes, Op. 11 No. 10 “Lezginka”Sergey Lyapunov,
An expansive work inspired by the folk dances of the Caucasus, it was composed by Sergei Lyapunov in 1897.
Marked by rhythmic vitality and passionate melodies, it captivates audiences with its brilliance.
Combining fierce dynamism with delicate expressiveness, the piece skillfully weaves in elements of Russian folk music, resulting in a highly artistic composition.
Although it demands advanced technique, its flowing, pleasing sonorities never feel difficult to the listener.
With a relatively compact duration of about seven minutes, it is well suited for recital performances.
This work fully draws out the piano’s expressive potential and is an ideal choice for pianists with rich musicality and solid technique.
Champion CynthiaMasuda Junichi
A powerful piano melody rings out, unfolding into a grand piece brimming with tension and exhilaration.
The work’s melody carries a fierce sense of speed that symbolizes strength and dignity, stirring the hearts of listeners.
Released in 2006, it has remained deeply etched in many people’s memories as music that heightens the intensity of heated battles.
It is favored in a variety of events and scenes, and is even used as wedding background music.
While it demands dazzling, impactful performance technique, it also allows for rich expressiveness.
As a piece that fully showcases the piano’s charm, it is an excellent choice for recitals and concerts.