[Congratulations on Your Recital Debut] Recommended Pieces for Your First Piano Recital

clock towerCornelius Gurlitt

Clock Tower / C. Gurlitt (from New Piano Study 1)

Cornelius Gurlitt, the great German composer who created numerous works ranging from songs and piano pieces to cantatas, operas, and symphonies.

While he left many highly challenging pieces, he also wrote some simple and charming works for children.

One of these is The Clock Tower.

Because the accompaniment is somewhat difficult, we recommend performing it as a duet, as shown in the video.

It’s a must-check piece for those planning to perform at a piano recital as a parent-child duo.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Piano Sonata No. 16, K. 545Wolfgang Mozart

Piano Sonata K.545 in C major – Mozart – Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, K. 545 – Mozart – Classic – CANACANA

Beginner-level pieces tend to be less striking to listen to.

Even beginners want to perform cool pieces that really sound impressive, right? For those people, I recommend this piece: Piano Sonata No.

16, K.

545.

It’s like a gateway to the intermediate level, and despite its difficulty, it features a dazzling melody that leaves a strong impression.

It may be hard to play unless both hands are agile, but since the piece contains a lot of repetition, the more you practice, the more your efforts will show.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

PicnicMary Clark

[Piano Recital Recommendation] Picnic ♪ Clark / Lilt, Clark

Clark’s Picnic has a bright, exhilarating feel.

It’s a piece that conjures up the image of a cheerful spring picnic.

The buoyant rhythm—almost like skipping—is a hallmark of the work and appears repeatedly throughout.

To convey the joyful atmosphere, I want to play it lightly, taking care not to make the sound heavy.

Also, in the middle section where the right and left hands alternate, be mindful to bring out clear dynamic contrasts between them as you perform.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

HATSUMI

Report a problem

marchDmitri Shostakovich

March - Shostakovich (Beginner, Piano Recital) [March / D. Shostakovich]

Shostakovich was a composer active in the Soviet Union during the 20th century.

Exceptionally talented both as a pianist and as a composer, he firmly established his reputation as one of the greatest classical music composers of the 20th century.

This piece is No.

1 from Children’s Notebook and evokes soldiers marching without bending their knees.

Aside from the slurs indicated by the composer, it is preferable to play non-legato; however, since it depicts a soldiers’ march, be careful not to make it too light.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

HATSUMI

Report a problem

Chase the mysteryJuhara Ryoko

Chase the Mystery / Ryoko Kihara R. Kihara [Recommended for Piano Recitals]

A piece characterized by a mysterious, thrilling atmosphere.

Its storyline-like structure, which unfolds gradually from a suspenseful introduction, creates a sense of immersion reminiscent of game or anime background music.

Though only about the difficulty level of completing Beyer, it skillfully weaves in rhythmic changes and harmonic progressions, resulting in a work that shines on stage.

Included in the album “Piano Land 5: Sing and Play with Your Teacher” and published by Ongaku No Tomo Sha in February 1992, this piece is beloved for allowing performers to express the music as if telling a story.

Highly recommended for those who want to perform at recitals or competitions.

With a powerful performance, it is sure to captivate the audience.

Babayaga Op. 39-20Pyotr Tchaikovsky

La sorcière Op.39-20 P.I. Tchaikovsky Baba Yaga (The Witch) Tchaikovsky

This is a masterpiece created by a Russian composer devoted to nurturing children’s hearts through music.

The work vividly portrays, in sound, the tale of a mysterious witch who lives in a hut standing on chicken legs and travels in a flying mortar—captivating children’s imaginations.

With a melodic line that includes rapid ascending and descending scales and wide leaps, along with unstable harmonic sonorities, it skillfully conveys the witch’s eeriness and enigmatic movements.

Composed in 1878, its brisk tempo and richly descriptive power brim with immediacy, letting listeners savor the story’s excitement.

Brimming with expressive nuance and drama, this piece is perfect for a child’s piano recital or as an encore.

A recommended classic for anyone who wishes to foster imagination through music.

Go see the circusWilliam Gillock

Going to See the Circus / Gillock / W. Gillock: At the Circus [Piano Beginner / Piano Recital]

Gillis, an American music educator and composer.

His works are now played by piano enthusiasts all over Japan and are widely used as teaching materials.

Even though the melody and rhythm are simple, it’s a fun piece that conjures images of all sorts of acts at a circus.

I’d like to play the scale runs that pop up here and there cleanly.

If you keep the left hand from getting too heavy, your performance will convey the joy of the circus.

The collection First Lessons in Gillock also contains many other beginner-friendly pieces, so be sure to check it out!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

HATSUMI

Report a problem