[Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students
Upper-elementary school children rapidly grow more mature both physically and mentally, and they become clearly aware of their own preferences.
When choosing pieces for a piano recital, we want to select works that match their tastes so they can practice enthusiastically and deliver their best performance on stage.
In this article, we’ve selected and introduced brilliant classical pieces that are perfect for piano recitals, with a special focus on recommendations for upper-elementary students.
We hope this will help you choose recital repertoire and serve as a reference for pieces to tackle next.
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[Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students (61–70)
The Confectionery World, No. 14: “Demon Arare”Yuyama Akira
This is a short piece included on the album “The World of Sweets,” notable for its glittering, hard-edged piano sound.
Composed in 1973, the work creates a highly original sound world that brilliantly fuses Japanese and Western elements within a brief span of 1 minute and 25 seconds.
It opens in A minor with a 4/4 meter, achieving a hard, springy sonority through skillful use of dissonance and staccato.
With three-voice textures, complex rhythms, and thematic variations, it combines performance difficulty with strong appeal.
Frequently performed at recitals and competitions, it is cherished as a piece that tests expressive ability.
Highly recommended for those seeking fresh facets of classical music, it makes an effective closer for a program.
Invention No. 8, BWV 779J.S.Bach
This piece in F major, set in 3/4 time, begins with ascending broken chords brimming with the lively energy of a fanfare and exudes a bright, spirited atmosphere.
The distinctive rhythm created by the interplay of upper and lower voices, chasing each other with a one-measure delay, is pleasing and makes the listener’s heart dance.
Although composed for educational purposes, the work’s musical appeal captivates audiences.
The left-hand passages using the 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingers are somewhat challenging, but with practice, it’s a wonderful piece that allows you to feel tangible improvement in two-hand technique.
With its bright, festive character and a well-balanced technical challenge, it’s an ideal choice for a recital.
Sonatina in A minor, Op. 27 No. 18Dmitri Kabalevsky
From its powerful main theme to the lyrical middle section, this miniature distills the essence of music into about one minute.
Composed in 1938 by Dmitry Kabalevsky, it opens with a sonorous A minor and unfolds a succession of richly expressive melodies.
Marked by clear rhythm and tonality, it moves listeners deeply without relying on flashy virtuosity.
For performance, the key point is to present the rhythmic opening theme with firm clarity.
In the middle section, a gentler expressiveness is required.
It’s an ideal piece for those who want to hone storytelling through music or make a strong impact with a short work.
Babayaga Op. 39-20Pyotr 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.
“Dance of the Natives” from Children’s Piano PiecesNakata Yoshinao
Though just one minute long, this powerful piece stands out among the 17 works included in the album “Children’s Piano Pieces.” Its strong rhythm, grounded in A minor, generates a distinctive sense of tension and vitality.
The work’s appeal lies in its striking melody: it employs a traditional Japanese pentatonic scale while exuding the vibrant energy of folk music.
It has been selected as a required piece for the PTNA Piano Step program and is well known at the Basic 5 level.
The hand-crossing technique leaves a strong impression on audiences, making it ideal for recitals and competitions.
This superb miniature captivates listeners with expressive flair while incorporating devices that draw out the performer’s technique.
Midnight Fire Festival from ‘Rhythm of the Rainbow’Hirayoshi Takeshu
This passionate miniature, woven from a powerful rhythm and brilliant melody, is an ambitious work featured on the album “Rhythm of the Rainbow.” Its use of the rhythmic device known as hemiola—alternating between 6/8 and 3/4 time—creates a wild, driving energy reminiscent of Spanish music and flamenco.
Selected as a required piece for the 2024 PTNA Piano Competition, Grade C, it has captivated many young pianists.
The exciting interplay between the right and left hands, along with the nuanced expressions of slurs, staccatos, and accents, shape a sound world that brings out the performer’s full ability.
Challenging yet performable in under three minutes, it’s an ideal choice for recitals and competitions.
Sonatina No. 12, Movement IMuzio Clementi
Beginning with elegant and flamboyant arpeggios, this piece brims with the refinement and vitality of the Classical era.
The smoothly spun right-hand melody interwoven with the left hand’s graceful accompaniment forms a beautiful line filled with the brightness and hope reminiscent of spring’s arrival.
This work is included in Muzio Clementi’s 1797 collection Sonatinas Op.
36; Clementi is also known as the author of Gradus ad Parnassum.
Powerful phrases and delicate expression are harmoniously balanced, making it a popular choice for piano competitions and recitals.
With its four richly expressive sections that allow for a wide range of emotions, it is an ideal piece for players who wish to refine their technique while deepening their musicality.