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[Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital

Representative, Elysion Philharmonic Orchestrasai-kisaragi
Heisei College of Music, Composition Course. Studied composition and conducting under Keizo Ideta, piano under Chinami Kira, and arts management under Takuma Konishi. With a focus on community and music, I work to revitalize my hometown of Saga Prefecture. While performing as a double bassist with wind ensembles and orchestras across Kyushu, I participated on double bass in the “Orchestra Without Borders” orchestra camp of the professional game and anime music ensemble Eminence Orchestra, held in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture in September 2012. During CAPCOM’s Kyushu Tour in 2016, I not only performed as an orchestra member but also served on the production staff. I currently serve as the managing representative for the game and anime performance groups Elysion Philharmonic Orchestra (Saga Prefecture) and Fukuoka Game Music Wind Orchestra (Fukuoka Prefecture), and handle conducting, arranging, and public relations.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

A big event that everyone learning piano experiences is… the recital! Practicing to perform not only for family and friends but also for a wider audience helps keep up the motivation to continue playing piano.

Moreover, the experience of standing on stage alone and performing all the way through is sure to build great confidence.

To make such a recital truly rewarding, choosing the right pieces is key! Of course, developing performance technique is important, but since it’s a valuable chance to play on stage, you’ll want to select pieces that both the performer and the audience can enjoy together.

In this article, we’ll introduce famous pieces that are fun for both adults and children to play—not only classical works, but also popular music and film music.

We hope this helps you discover candidates for your next recital program.

[Beginner Level] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at Recitals (111–120)

Sonatina Op. 13-1, First MovementDimitri Kabalevsky

Kabalevsky: Sonatina Op. 13 No. 1, Movement I (age 9)

Sonatina Op. 13-1, First MovementDimitri Kabalevsky

This three-movement work, radiating a bright and lively atmosphere, is a delightful piece brimming with the joy of music.

The first movement opens with an impactful introduction of three resounding strong chords, followed by graceful melodies and a dynamic, rhythmic drive that leave a vivid impression.

Written in sonata form, it contrasts a spirited first theme with a lyrical, singing second theme.

In the development section, where the music changes rapidly, passages to be played jokingly alternate with those to be rendered cantabile, drawing out rich expressive possibilities.

By honoring the distinct character of each section and performing with a keen sense of harmonic resonance and rhythmic vitality, you can truly captivate the audience—making this a rewarding piece to play.

Highly recommended for those who want to enjoy music while honing their technique.

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Sonatina No. 10, First MovementMuzio Clementi

Clementi: No. 4 (Sonatina Album No. 10), 1st Movement, pf. Naotsugu Shimamura

Sonatina No. 10, First MovementMuzio Clementi

A lively, three-part work brimming with energy, it unfolds with a captivating contrast between an arresting first theme that begins with repeated notes in the bass and a light, staccato-driven second theme.

Since its first publication in 1797, this piece has remained a beloved staple of the piano student’s repertoire.

Though it lasts only about two and a half minutes, it breathes with brilliance and richly expressive melody.

The work is ideal for developing expressiveness, featuring elements such as contrasts between legato and staccato and dynamic variation.

With its bright, powerful character and approachable melodies, it is a recommended piece for those who want to experience dazzling expression or discover new charms of the piano.

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Children’s Album, Book I: A Picture Book of Boyhood – No. 1, Little SongAram Khachaturian

A Little Song (Andantino) / Khachaturian Piano Cover, Children's Album, First Series: 'Album for the Young,' No. 1

Children’s Album, Book I: A Picture Book of Boyhood – No. 1, Little SongAram Khachaturian

Watch “Children’s Album, Book I: A Picture Book of Boyhood – No. 1, Little Song” by Aram Khachaturian on YouTube

Despite being a short piece of about one minute, Little Song is truly beautiful, with a somewhat nostalgic and plaintive melody spun at a relaxed tempo.

It is included in Album for Children, Book 1: Pictures of Childhood by Aram Khachaturian, one of the leading composers of the Soviet Union in the 20th century, and is recommended for beginner-level children.

Although it has quite a few accidentals and uses the black keys frequently—so you might think “This looks hard…” just by seeing the score—the difficulty is not that high because it is structured with chordal left hand and a single-line melody in the right hand.

Practice with a clear sense of each hand’s role, aiming to sing the melody beautifully!

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In conclusion

How was it? When it comes to choosing a piece for the big event—the recital—that many piano learners experience, the more you listen, the harder it can be to decide, but there are surely plenty of pieces that will suit you perfectly. Many of the pieces introduced here are probably ones you’ve heard at least once somewhere. Among those we’ve introduced, there are works for which many scores have been published with arrangements so players at various levels can enjoy performing them. Whether your child has just started piano lessons, or you’re an adult who’s finally begun learning the piano you’ve always admired, please use this article as a guide and pick the perfect recital piece for you!