[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 Students (41–50)
Six Pieces for Children (Christmas Album), Op. 72: No. 2 in E-flat major, Andante sostenuto, MWV U 170Felix Mendelssohn
Composed as a gift for children at Christmas in 1842, Mendelssohn’s piano miniature is enveloped in a gentle, tender atmosphere.
Written in E-flat major, it features a delicate touch and refined harmonic progressions, and despite its brief length of 42 measures, it conveys a profound musicality.
Set at a relaxed Andante sostenuto tempo, its warmly expressive melody has a soothing charm.
Among the six pieces in this collection, it is particularly approachable, making it an ideal work for those just beginning piano study or for listeners interested in Romantic-era music.
Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: No. 2 “Flying”Robert Schumann
The second piece, “Aufschwung (Soaring),” from Robert Schumann’s Fantasiestücke Op.
12 (1837), is guaranteed to impress, with its effortlessly racing melodies and the striking contrast of a flowing, beautiful middle section that stirs the passions.
The dramatic opening in F minor and the lyrical transitions to D-flat major and B-flat major offer a superb opportunity to broaden expressive range.
It’s an ideal recital piece for children with piano experience who are ready to explore a new liberation of emotion.
Brave Rider from ‘Album for Children’Robert Schumann
This celebrated piece, distinguished by its exhilarating cascade of sounds and powerful rhythm, is included in the album “Album for the Young.” Composed in 1848 as a birthday present for his eldest daughter Marie, it lasts barely a minute yet displays remarkable musical richness and artistic sophistication.
Its energetic, staccato-driven phrases blend perfectly with the tension created by the key of A minor, vividly conjuring the image of a knight galloping on horseback.
Despite its simple structure, the work is highly expressive, making it ideal for those who want to captivate listeners in a short performance or who enjoy a robust, vigorous character.
It has also been selected as a set piece for international piano examinations and is beloved around the world.
ToccatinaDimitri Kabalevsky
This is a piece you can enjoy for its light, rhythmic performance.
Written in A minor, it features a captivating melody in the left hand, while the right hand provides a nimble accompaniment.
The device in which the top notes of the right-hand triads are arranged to chase the left-hand melody is also superb.
As the music unfolds like a small storm, the balance between tension and release is exquisitely expressed.
Included in the 1938 album “30 Children’s Pieces, Op.
27,” this work has long been cherished as a teaching material in music education.
It is perfect for those who have only recently begun studying the piano, as it cultivates both technique and expressiveness.
It is also ideal for recital performances, sure to leave a strong impression on the audience.
Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven
A famous work by Ludwig van Beethoven, the German master whom every pianist admires at least once.
Written in April 1810, this piece resonates in the heart with its wistful, beautiful melody.
It begins with a gentle, conversational, and calm theme that instantly captivates the listener.
However, the mood changes dramatically in the middle section, revealing a touch of mature passion and dramatic intensity.
It’s as if a straightforward heart crosses paths with the desire to act grown-up.
Perfect for elementary and middle school students who want to challenge themselves with rich emotional expression and play the piano as if spinning a story.
Imagine the changes in feeling from scene to scene, and perform with expressive nuance!
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56Bartók Béla
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz.
56, composed by the Hungarian composer Béla Bartók and based on folk songs from the Transylvanian region.
Its richly folkloric melodies, where nostalgia and freshness coexist, evoke vivid images of Romania’s landscapes, making it a perfect piece for recitals.
In particular, the fifth and sixth dances are fast-paced and striking, leaving a strong impression on both the young performers and the audience.
Since the work is often performed as a duet or on two pianos, it’s also recommended to listen to versions beyond solo piano to expand your interpretive imagination.
Turkish RondoJohann Burgmüller
Characterized by a brilliant, rhythmic style and a modulation from A minor to A major, this piece features lively staccato and flowing sixteenth-note phrases that leave a strong impression.
Its exotic melodies and rhythms, enhanced by a natural sense of flow and vitality that emphasizes the upbeat, captivate listeners.
Marked Allegretto, it calls for an overall vivid expression, and the contrast between staccato and legato should be clearly defined to bring out the character.
This piece is recommended for those wishing to refine smooth technique and expressive nuance.
While fostering rhythmic sense and finger independence, it also deepens understanding of diverse musical styles.
Popular at recitals and competitions, it offers an excellent opportunity to showcase both technique and musical expression.