[Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital

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.

Playlist

[Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Flower SongGustav Lange		Among the works of the German composer Gustav Lange...
2	Arabesque – Burgmüller 25 Études Op. 100 No. 2Johann Burgmüller		Familiar as a staple among piano method books, “Bu...
3	The Field Day of the House MiceHirayoshi Takeshu		With a unique rhythm, it moves along briskly, full of energy...
4	Waltz RentOskar Merikanto		Leaving a brilliant legacy in the Finnish music scene...
5	The Alps at sunsetTheodor Oesten		The mu… that expressed the beautiful nature of the Alps through music
6	Minuet in G majorJ.S.Bach		For many years, J.S. Bach—known as the father of music—has...
7	Pachelbel’s CanonJohann Pachelbel		The beauty of Pachelbel's Canon
8	A Doll’s Dream and AwakeningTheodor Oesten		The water heater’s “The bath is ready!” music and…
9	Moon RiverHenry Mancini		In the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the lead actor/actress, in the middle of the story…
10	contredanseFrederic Chopin		Frederic, known as a master of Romantic music, ...
11	Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Many piano learners in the transitional stage from beginner to intermediate...
12	Sonatina Op. 13-1, First MovementDmitri Kabalevsky		Composed many excellent piano pieces for children...
13	Carrying YouJoe Hisaishi		Ghibli’s famous song “Carrying You” can be performed in various ways
14	Children’s Album, Volume 1: “Album of My Boyhood,” No. 5: EtudeAram Khachaturian		A short piece of ethnic music for children with an impressive staccato feel
15	Merry Christmas, Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi		A Japanese composer known around the world, Saku…
16	Serenade of the BuglerFritz Spindler		A song with a bright melody that lifts your spirits
17	Dance and SongNakata Yoshinao		A lively piano piece depicting a summer night
18	Children’s Album, Volume 1, “Picture Book of Boyhood”: No. 7, Hobbyhorse (Cavalry)Aram Khachaturian		A piano miniature depicting children's play
19	Stilienne – Burgmüller 25 Études, Op. 100 No. 14Johann Burgmüller		A triple-meter piece inspired by traditional Alpine dance music
20	Daydream BelieverThe Monkees		Masterfully performing a cool Western pop song at the piano recital...
21	Midnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshu		A passionate track that drives forward with force, propelled by a distinctive rhythm
22	reverieClaude Debussy		Claude, a composer who represents French Impressionism, …
23	He is the pirate.Klaus Badelt/Hans Zimmer		The theatrical... of the movie Pirates of the Caribbean
24	Arlésienne Suite No. 2, III. MinuetGeorges Bizet		The French composer Georges Bizet 18...
25	ParadeMaurice Ravel		Toshio Horiuchi’s grand, dramatic wind ensemble work
26	The Blue DanubeJohann Strauss II		The composer who represents Vienna, Johann Str...
27	castanetWilliam Gillock		I just want to play pieces that are cool, no matter what!
28	Holiday in ParisWilliam Gillock		Known for having composed numerous songs for children...
29	glass slipperWilliam Gillock		With a beautiful sense for melody, the “Schu… of the music education world”
30	Variations on ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		He began composing at the age of five and left behind more than 800 works...
31	Spinning SongAlbert Ellmenreich		German composer Ermenreich’s “Spinning Song”…
32	March, BWV Anh. 122Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach		It served as a bridge from Baroque music to the Classical era…
33	CanonJohann Pachelbel		Pachelbel’s Canon, suitable for beginners to practice
34	springSamuel Maykapar		Micah Pál’s spring piece is gentle and rich in variation
35	SumireStreabbog		The light waltz rhythm is pleasantly charming…
36	Piano Pieces for Children ‘Rhythm of the Rainbow’ 1. The Dandelion Took FlightHirayoshi Takeshu		Beginning with choral and solo pieces for children, several …
37	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 10 “The Merry Farmer”Robert Schumann		In just two weeks by Robert Schumann...
38	Invention No. 8, BWV 779J.S.Bach		A lively, upbeat piece perfect for improving your technique.
39	Adorable TarantellaStreabbog		Technically I’m still quite inexperienced, but with both hands b—
40	forget-me-notHeinrich Lichner		The poignant, beautiful melody is striking in “Wasure na….”
41	GavotteFrançois-Josehp Gossec		Familiar from TV shows and commercial jingles...
42	strollJoe Hisaishi		The animated film “My Neighbor Totoro,” released in 1988, …
43	Jungle FeverCatherine Rollin		Several piano pieces for beginners and children…
44	Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 15 “Ballade”Johann Burgmüller		Burgmüller’s narrative and elegant piano pieces
45	Polka from Album for ChildrenLouis Heinrich Köhler		Make the recital fun with a lively polka tune
46	Dance of the nativesNakata Yoshinao		A powerful and cool piece by Yoshinao Nakada
47	Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight,” First MovementLudwig van Beethoven		Among piano sonatas, Ruu… is said to be unusual.
48	Polonaise in C major, Op. 155-4Theodor Oesten		A piano teacher and composer active in 19th-century Germany…
49	Dance of the WitchesTheodor Kullak		The Witch's Dance is ideal for mastering technique
50	Magic TreeWilliam Gillock		William Gillock, who was active in the 20th century, ...
51	Passacaglia Harpsichord Suite No. 7 (HWV 432)Georg Friedrich Händel		A masterpiece that distills the charm of Baroque music
52	Album for the Young, Op. 68: No. 8 “The Brave Knight”Robert Schumann		The composer representing German Romanticism, Robel…
53	Etude AllegroNakata Yoshinao		A lively and glamorous piano piece for children
54	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 2: “Soldiers’ March”Robert Schumann		Soldiers’ march, characterized by chords and dotted rhythms
55	AllegrettoAnton Diabelli		The piece that is frequently performed even at piano recitals, '…'
56	Brave SoldierCornelius Gurlitt		A powerful march that stirs a boy’s heart
57	Arabesque No. 1Claude Debussy		Practice Debussy’s famous piano pieces
58	magicianWilliam Gillock		Gillock's “The Magician” is a lively, rhythmical children's favorite.
59	Wiener MarchCarl Czerny		Charming piano pieces of Austria
60	knightDmitri Kabalevsky		The Rus— who left behind numerous piano pieces for children...
61	Children’s Corner No. 6: “Golliwogg’s Cakewalk”Claude Debussy		The dance that was popular in America at the time of composition re...
62	Merry-Go-Round of LifeHisaishi Joe		There are many beginner-friendly sheet music arrangements for songs from Studio Ghibli films...
63	Brilliant WaltzGlenda Austin		An elegant composition that fuses waltz and jazz
64	Farewell, pianoLudwig van Beethoven		Ludwig van Beethoven's pi...
65	pirateRoger Grove		An up-tempo book with a pirate adventure theme…
66	Boys’ Merry-Go-RoundNiels Wilhelm Gade		A lively and beautiful piano piece for children
67	paprikaFoorin		A children's song produced by Kenshi Yonezu, and...
68	Carnival BallWilliam Gillock		A passionate piece with the charm of samba rhythm
69	Indian danceWilliam Gillock		Powerful music with Indigenous rhythms, brimming with dynamism
70	Burgmüller 25 Etudes, Op. 100 No. 25 “La chevaleresque” (The Lady’s Ride)Johann Burgmüller		A dazzling étude that expresses knightliness
71	Turkish MarchLudwig van Beethoven		How to play Beethoven’s Turkish March
72	speed carNakata Yoshinao		Piano practice pieces that help you learn a sense of rhythm and expressiveness
73	Chase the mysteryJuhara Ryoko		A thrilling musical work with a sense of storytelling
74	At the time of the danceHeinrich Lichner		How to play Lichner’s waltz pieces
75	scramble crossinghashimoto kouichi		A dynamic piece that expresses the hustle and bustle of the city through irregular time signatures
76	“Butterflies,” Op. 2, No. 12: “Final Scene and the Returning Brothers”Robert Schumann		Schumann’s Butterfly finale depicts the end of a ball
77	Sonatina No. 7, First MovementMuzio Clementi		An elegant and technically skillful piano piece, brilliant and bright.
78	ToccatinaDimitri Kabalevsky		A lively piano piece from a collection in A minor
79	Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces Op. 100 No. 1: InnocenceJohann Burgmüller		I’ve gotten to the point where I can read the score to some extent, and my fingers have become steadier.
80	Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven		Für Elise, a famous piece for beginners
81	Album for the Young, Op. 68-1 “Melody”Robert Schumann		Robert Schumann’s efforts for children and the younger generation…
82	Sonatina No. 1, Movement I, Op. 20-1Friedrich Kuhlau		A clear and approachable piece in C major
83	Csikos PostHermann Necke		You could say it's a classic piece often played at sports days…
84	Something good might happen!Yuyama Akira		A piano piece that fuses classical and jazz
85	Album for the Young, Op. 39-20: “Baba-Yaga (The Witch)”Pyotr Tchaikovsky		A song themed on Baba Yaga, the witch from Russian folklore
86	Babayaga Op. 39-20Pyotr Tchaikovsky		A famous piece for children that depicts a witch's tale through music
87	Hunting SongCornelius Gurlitt		Cornelius Gurlitt produced numerous works for children…
88	Dance of the SwineherdBartók Béla		An enchanting piece of Hungarian folk dance music
89	Six Minuets No. 2, WoO 10 in G majorLudwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s Minuet
90	I Dreamed a DreamClaude-Michel Schonberg		Maestro of the musical world, Claude-Michel ...
91	Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven		If you’re learning the piano, you’ve probably admired it at least once—Lu…
92	Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüller		A passionate piece inspired by Southern Italian dances.
93	Album for the Young, Op. 68 No. 16 “First Sorrow”Robert Schumann		A poignant scene where tears quietly trickle down...
94	ScherzinoGeorg Philipp Telemann		Georg Philipp, born in 1681, ...
95	Tarantella, Op. 77 No. 6Moritz Moszkowski		Moszkowski’s cheerful and flamboyant piano piece
96	Come, let’s dance the waltz.William Gillock		Despite being a work for children, it still offers a compelling listening experience...
97	Third movement from Sonatina, Op. 36 No. 1Muzio Clementi		Lively three movements, virtuosic and captivating
98	Sonatina in F major, First MovementAnton Diabelli		A masterpiece with an elegant, radiant melody
99	To the Wild RoseEdward MacDowell		A work with a beautiful melody composed by MacDowell
100	Turkish RondoJohann Burgmüller		A brilliant modulation piece from A minor to A major
101	AnglaiseJohann Georg Leopold Mozart		Mozart—though I mean Wolfgang...
102	Sonatina No. 10, First MovementMuzio Clementi		A masterpiece that conveys the expressiveness and allure of piano music
103	Song of JoyLudwig van Beethoven		German composer Ludwig van Be...
104	Gypsy DanceHeinrich Lichner		The Do—, who left behind numerous short pieces ideal for learning the piano,
105	Detective Conan ‘Main Theme’Ōno Katsuo		If you’re a fan of the anime Detective Conan, at least once…
106	Sonatina Op. 13-1, First MovementDimitri Kabalevsky		You can hone your performance technique with a bright three-movement musical piece
107	clownDimitri Kabalevsky		The modern era that produced many songs for children…
108	Burgmüller 25 Études Op. 100 No. 11 “The Wagtail”Johann Burgmüller		A light, bird-like piece in 2/4 time
109	Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2 “The Hunt”Johann Burgmüller		A brilliant march inspired by Islamic art
110	Birthday MarchLouis Köhler		Köhler’s Birthday March
111	a band of Roma (Gypsies)Franz Behr		Playing techniques and expressive power of Gypsy ensembles
112	Children’s Album, Book I: A Picture Book of Boyhood – No. 1, Little SongAram Khachaturian		Although it's a short piece of about one minute, it has a relaxed te...
113	Sonatine No. 8, Movement IMuzio Clementi		The charm of piano pieces: brilliant and powerful