[Piano Duets] Perfect for recitals! A carefully curated selection of brilliant, crowd-pleasing works

My Neighbor Totoro – Duet VersionHisaishi Joe

Tried playing My Neighbor Totoro in an epic style – Joe Hisaishi, Piano Duet (Reikana)

This is a duet version for two pianos of the main theme from a classic Studio Ghibli animated film.

The gentle, warm melody and the rich sonority woven by four hands blend beautifully, further enhancing the charm of the original piece.

Featured on the celebrated album “My Neighbor Totoro Soundtrack,” released alongside the film in 1988, its bright and lively character is sure to soothe listeners.

Requiring tightly coordinated ensemble playing, this is a piece you’ll want to tackle with fellow piano lovers.

Its arrangement shines in recitals and concerts alike, captivating audiences.

An ideal work for pianists looking to refine both expressive depth and solid technique.

I Want YouÉric Satie

Erik Satie – I Want You (Satie: Je te veux)

A work by French composer Erik Satie with an impressively romantic title that means “I want you” in French.

It was originally composed as a French art song (chanson), but today it is performed in various forms—piano solo and four hands, violin, saxophone, and more—and has been used in commercials and video game soundtracks.

In the piano four-hands version, the added richness of the sound further accentuates its romantic and stylish atmosphere!

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yuri

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hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake

[Omoinotake] 'Hundreds of Millions of Light-Years' Advanced Piano Duet – Tried Playing It [Eye Love You] Theme Song for TBS Tuesday Drama

For a recommended piano duet piece, I suggest “Ikioku Kounen” by the Japanese three-piece band Omoinotake.

It was the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “Eye Love You,” which drew attention for being the first prime-time series on a commercial network to cast a Korean actor as the heroine’s counterpart, with Fumi Nikaido starring as the protagonist, Yuri Motomiya.

The piano duet arrangement is crafted to shine even more than the original in a duet setting, showcasing the full charm of the piano.

The climactic sections are arranged to sound more gorgeous, with plenty of embellishments that pianists will enjoy, offering a fully satisfying playability.

While it feels powerfully played, the sound holds its own like a band, giving the music a strong pull, yet fleeting moments of poignancy surface, evoking the drama’s love story.

As both a drama theme and a distinctly J-pop song, it promises to be impressive to play and compelling to listen to as a piano duet.

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sai-kisaragi

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Sing, Sing, SingLouis Prima

[Piano Duet] Sing, Sing, Sing ♫ Louis Prima / Sing, Sing, Sing, Louis Prima

When you think of piano duets, many people might picture genres other than classical, right? “Sing, Sing, Sing” is one of the most frequently performed jazz standards as a duet.

Its difficulty ranges from beginner to advanced! Some of you might be thinking, “What?”—but in short, the difficulty varies greatly depending on the sheet music.

In simpler arrangements like the one in the video, the crossing sections will likely be the tricky parts.

Advanced versions feature formidable arpeggios and fast passages, so if your fingers can keep up, definitely try tackling the higher-difficulty scores.

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Ryo

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Tico-Tico no FubáZequinha Abreu

Abreu: Tico-Tico

For solo performance, Tico-Tico no Fubá is a piece familiar even to beginners.

That said, that familiarity often comes from simplified scores; depending on the arrangement, some versions are challenging enough to be considered advanced.

The duet version of Tico-Tico no Fubá isn’t necessarily that difficult.

However, if the performers aren’t perfectly in sync, it can suddenly sound awkward—so in that sense, it is demanding.

Be sure to check it out.

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Ryo

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Whimsical Romanticikimonogakari

[Ikimono-gakari] “Kimagure Romantic” Piano Duet (Advanced) – Tried Playing It – Fuji TV Drama [Celeb to Binbo Taro] Theme Song

How about the piano four-hands arrangement of “Kimagure Romantic” by the Japanese music group Ikimono-gakari, which was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Celeb to Binbo Taro”? In the music video, it begins with a chiptune that evokes video game music, as if on a retro game screen, followed by a lively intro featuring brass and string sections.

In the piano duet version, the energetic feel remains intact while bringing out the unique beauty of the piano.

It highlights the romantic aspects even more than the original, and with two people performing, the sound gains depth, creating a compelling musical drama.

This duet arrangement is especially recommended for fans of Ikimono-gakari and drama theme songs.

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sai-kisaragi

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From the suite “Ma mère l’Oye,” No. 3: “Laideronnette, Empress of the Pagodas”Maurice Ravel

From 'Ma mère l’Oye' III. Laideronnette, Empress of the Pagodas — Ravel (piano four hands)

This is a masterpiece that unfolds a fairytale world imbued with an Oriental atmosphere.

It vividly portrays, through the unique four-hand resonance of piano duet, the tale of a beautiful princess cursed and transformed.

The piece is one of the five movements in a piano duet suite composed by Maurice Ravel between 1908 and 1910 for the children of his friends.

In this work, the sounds of Chinese instruments—such as xylophone and percussion—are brilliantly evoked using two pianos.

Amid its light and bright character, the timbre brims with exotic color, as if the distant toll of a gong were resounding.

Demanding rich expression across the piano’s high and low registers and close ensemble coordination, it is an ideal work for concerts and recitals.