[Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students

Three StarsVilla-Lobos

37th Prizewinner Commemorative Concert / Category B [Gold Prize] Yuki Kimoto — Heitor Villa-Lobos: Three Stars

Villa-Lobos’s piano piece Three Marias is a captivating work whose distinctive melodies reflect the heart of Brazil in South America.

Comprising three short movements, each with its own color, the piece invites listeners into a fantastical world suffused with exotic fragrance.

The freely interwoven Latin rhythms will likely be a first-time experience for many children.

Young players themselves can explore their own sensibilities as they take on the challenge of performing it.

Because the musical character tends to divide preferences, avoid insisting, “This is the piece!” and instead propose it to the performer as one candidate among several.

18 Characteristic Etudes Op. 109 No. 15 “Spirit of the Wind”Johann Burgmüller

Burgmüller: 18 Characteristic Études “Les Sylphes” Op. 109-15 / Burgmüller: 18 Characteristic Studies No. 15 “The Sylphs” Op. 109-15

Johann Burgmüller’s Études, 18 Characteristic Studies, Op.

109, is a collection of piano pieces composed to refine a pianist’s technique.

Among them, The Spirit of the Wind is filled with techniques that demand a delicate melody and swift fingerwork, making it a common choice in the repertoire of piano learners.

While many approach Burgmüller’s works to improve their technique, be sure to focus not only on the technical aspects but also on the world of each piece and its distinctive charm.

It will surely transform your image of “Burgmüller the étude composer.”

AcrobatDmitri Shostakovich

PTNA 2021 National Finals Competition, Class C No. 66, Gold Prize — Acrobat (Shostakovich)

Dmitri Shostakovich, who left behind many works reflecting the worldview of his native Russia, composed the piano piece “Acrobat,” a work characterized by its comic and lighthearted melody.

To master the catchy, easy-to-remember bouncing pattern in the left hand and the accent-rich right-hand part, solid technique and expressive depth are required.

Seemingly satirizing the anguish of 1937, the year it was composed, this piece presents a new challenge for performers and offers a stimulating experience for listeners as well.

Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major, K. 332 (K6 300k), No. 1Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

W.A.Mozart – Piano Sonata No.12 in F major, K.332 (1st movement)

This is a work whose elegant melodies and rhythms, left by a genius of the Classical era, resonate deeply in the heart.

Composed in 1783 and structured in three movements, it is notable for its refreshing F-major sonority and gentle variations.

The beautiful music, woven from an approachable theme and refined counterpoint, is sure to soothe listeners.

The second movement, which was also used in the film “Immortal Beloved,” is characterized by delicate ornamentation and a richly expressive melody.

Combining Mozart’s characteristic brightness and lightness with technical intrigue, this piece is recommended for everyone who enjoys playing the piano.

Six Variations on ‘A Vacant Heart’, WoO 70Ludwig van Beethoven

PTNA 2013 National Competition Finals / D Class Gold Prize Sakura Watanabe Beethoven: From Six Variations, WoO 70

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Six Variations on “Nel cor più non mi sento,” WoO 70, is a work created during a time of personal struggle.

It is a set of variations on a piece by the Italian opera composer Giovanni Paisiello, and it was published two weeks after the famous Heiligenstadt Testament was written in October 1802.

Variation form can be challenging in many respects—expression, technique, memorization, and more—but this piece, with its familiar, pleasantly tickling melody, should be approachable even for children taking on their first set of variations.

Impromptu, Op. 90 No. 2Franz Schubert

【Thanks! 1.2 Million】Impromptu in E-flat major, Op. 90 No. 2 – Schubert – CANACANA

Among Franz Schubert’s Impromptus, the brisk and exhilarating Impromptu Op.

90 No.

2 is especially popular at recitals.

Well known even among Schubert’s piano works and preserved in many superb recordings by renowned pianists, this piece demands refined technique and richly expressive musicianship.

Through practicing a work that balances both delicacy and power, children can broaden their expressive range and add greater depth to their performances.

It is particularly recommended for upper elementary students who wish to convey their emotions through music.

Fantaisie-ImpromptuFrederic Chopin

Fantaisie-Impromptu – Chopin – 13-year-old recital / Chopin Fantaisie-Impromptu

This is a work by Frédéric Chopin that shifts from a stormy, passionate passage to a dreamily sweet and beautiful melody.

Its dramatic development is sure to resonate with elementary and middle school children who admire a more mature world.

Composed around 1834, it is also known for its luscious middle section, which was used as a principal theme in the film Impromptu.

The passages where the right and left hands play different rhythms simultaneously require practice, but the sense of accomplishment when mastered is exceptional.

It’s a rewarding piece for children who want to enrich their expressiveness and aim for a higher level of performance.

If played with rich emotion at a recital, it will surely capture the audience’s hearts.