[Piano Duets] Perfect for recitals! A carefully curated selection of brilliant, crowd-pleasing works
Playing a piano together by two people is called a duet, also known as piano for four hands, and it has a unique charm different from solo piano.
While regular piano lessons are basically one-on-one with a teacher, many people might want to try a duet with friends or family at regularly held piano recitals.
On the other hand, when you look for sheet music, it can be hard to come up with suitable duet pieces, which can be a challenge.
So this time, we’re introducing recommended piano duet works that will shine at recitals! Some of the selected pieces even include links to the sheet music, which is very convenient.
They’re perfect not only as recital pieces but also for teachers’ performance numbers.
By all means, use this as a reference when choosing duet pieces to liven up your recital!
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[Piano Duets] Perfect for recital performances! A carefully selected list of brilliant, recommended pieces (81–90)
Racing into the NightYOASOBI
When it comes to songs that represent the popular music duo YOASOBI, “Racing into the Night” (Yoru ni Kakeru) is the one.
Formed on October 1, 2019 with the concept of turning novels from Sony Music’s novel & illustration posting site into music, YOASOBI debuted with this track.
Since the music video was released on November 16, its view count has kept climbing, making it a hit.
The song begins with just two parts—piano and vocals—and it packs an enormous punch even as a piano duet.
There are many arrangements out there, but the ultra-advanced jazz duet version of “Yoru ni Kakeru” is electrifying.
While recreating the original piano solo section, the stylish arrangement further brings out the song’s appeal.
After the high-speed passages, the quietly expressive section gives you chills.
Unfortunately, because the performance is improvised, there’s no sheet music in the video, so you’ll have to transcribe it by ear—but it’s such a compelling duet arrangement that it’s highly recommended.
Every girlToukyou Jihen
If you’re looking for a cool piano duet in a bona fide jazz arrangement, Tokyo Jihen’s “Onna no Ko wa Dare Demo” is a top recommendation! Released on May 11, 2011 by EMI Music Japan as the band’s seventh single, it was also used in a Shiseido “MAQuillAGE” commercial.
As suggested by lyrics like “a girl is a witch” and “it’s always a first love now,” the song expresses the feelings and transformations of an innocent girl.
The original’s flashiness is retained while turning it into a cool, jazz-flavored piano duet that captivates both performers and listeners.
Jazz piano has challenges different from classical, and not only the player but also their partner needs a grounding in jazz.
You’ll need to practice so that both players can bring out a tight groove, a sense for improvisation, and authentic jazz phrasing together.
It seems the sheet music URL is in the video’s description, so this is definitely a piece you should try.
Slavonic Dances, Series II No. 1, Op. 72 No. 1Antonín Dvořák
This piano duet, which gracefully elevates the Czech folk dance “Odřezávák” (Odřezávák/Odřezák/Oděrák), captivates with harmonies woven by four hands and a powerful rhythmic drive.
Composed in 1886, inspired by traditional Slavic dances, it contrasts a bright, lively main theme with a gentle middle section to draw out a wide range of dynamic expression.
Rich in technical elements—contrasts of forte and piano, brilliant passagework, and more—it demands tight ensemble coordination, making it ideal for duet enthusiasts looking to deepen their collaborative skills.
Its dramatic arc, balancing strength and delicacy, also makes it a superb choice for recital performances.
Overture to the operetta ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’Jacques Offenbach
The overture to the operetta “Orpheus in the Underworld” is a piece extremely familiar to Japanese people.
It’s the tune you often hear during footraces at school sports festivals.
I think just about everyone in Japan has heard it at least once.
As for its difficulty, it’s roughly on par with Burgmüller.
It’s a piece that anyone who has moved from beginner to intermediate level can tackle.
Since it’s a fast-tempo piece, it can also be a good exercise for building finger stamina.
Give it a try!
Mountain MusiciansDoitsu min’yō
There are many Japanese children’s songs that are arrangements of German folk tunes.
Because of that background, German folk songs are frequently performed at piano recitals as well.
Among them, the piece I especially recommend is “The Musician of the Mountain.” It’s set in G major and, among the duets introduced here, I think it’s one of the easiest to play.
Since it’s a very simple piece, those who have only just started learning the piano might find it better to practice this duet rather than a solo.
Be sure to check it out.
Piano Duet Miniature for Children “The Carnival Has Come,” No. 5: The Carnival Has ComeHirayoshi Takeshu
Composer Kiyoshi Hiyoshi, often seen in Japanese music textbooks, wrote many notable works.
His “Piano Duet Miniature for Children ‘The Carnival Has Come,’ No.
5 The Carnival Has Come” is one of his masterpieces.
The interweaving figures between Primo and Secondo are striking, and the piece as a whole creates a very brilliant and festive impression.
Although the title includes “for children,” in practice the difficulty is around early-intermediate to intermediate, so repeated practice is essential.
[Piano Duet] Perfect for recitals! A carefully selected list of dazzling recommended pieces (91–100)
Happy Lifere fureru
Les Frères is a piano duo formed by brothers Moriya Saito and Keito Saito.
It’s no exaggeration to say they are the most popular piano duo in Japan.
Their works are known for their brilliance and brisk tempos.
“Happy Life” encapsulates these signature traits, making it a highly sparkling piece.
Because there are very few rests between notes, the tempo tends to speed up as you play.
When practicing, use a metronome and keep a firm awareness of the rhythm.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced recommended piano duets to make your recital shine! This time, we carefully selected a well-balanced lineup that any pair can enjoy—children together, parent and child, teacher and student, or even two teachers.
It spans not only classical pieces but also popular J-pop, anime songs, film scores, and even video game music.
Videos with links to the sheet music are especially helpful, aren’t they? We hope this is useful for anyone choosing their first duet piece and for teachers looking for performance pieces that will delight their students!