[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.

Playlist

[Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Piano Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique,” Second MovementLudwig van Beethoven		This piece is marked by a gentle, singable melody that leaves a strong impression...
2	Sonatina No. 1, Op. 20-1, First MovementFriedrich Kuhlau		Kuhlau’s works, staple pieces for piano study
3	Masquerade Ball ‘Waltz’Aram Khachaturian		Waltz. Used in a movie and the Olympics.
4	Symphonia No. 1 in C majorJ.S.Bach		A children’s piano piece from 1720 characterized by counterpoint
5	Sonatina, 3rd MovementWilliam Gillock		An appealing sonata piece infused with a modern sensibility
6	Third movement from Sonatina, Op. 36 No. 1Muzio Clementi		Lively three movements, virtuosic and captivating
7	Waltz EtudeWilliam Gillock		The enchanting melody of a glamorous waltz
8	Fantasia “Sakura Sakura”Hirai Kōsaburō		A Harmonized Fantasia of Japan and the Classics: Sakura Sakura
9	Für Elise, WoO 59Ludwig van Beethoven		An elegant piece by Beethoven that requires delicate expressiveness
10	Sonatina in C major, Op. 36 No. 1Muzio Clementi		Clementi’s famous pieces for piano learners
11	“Fountain on a Rainy Day” from “Album for Children”William Gillock		“Fountain in the Rain” by Gillock
12	Piano Sonata No. 8 “Pathétique,” 3rd movementLudwig van Beethoven		The allure of powerful, passionate music
13	Sonatina Op. 13-1, First MovementDimitri Kabalevsky		You can hone your performance technique with a bright three-movement musical piece
14	Habanera on a Summer NightHirayoshi Takeshu		A piece with Cuban rhythms and graceful melodies
15	Sonatina in F major, First MovementAnton Diabelli		A masterpiece with an elegant, radiant melody
16	“Baumkuchen” from “The World of Sweets”Yuyama Akira		Honing expressive skills with Baumkuchen
17	Brilliant WaltzGlenda Austin		An elegant composition that fuses waltz and jazz
18	Midnight Fire FestivalHirayoshi Takeshu		A passionate track that drives forward with force, propelled by a distinctive rhythm
19	Fountain of Stars from ‘Constellations of Sound’Yuyama Akira		A beautiful piano piece that captivates children
20	Something good might happen!Yuyama Akira		A piano piece that fuses classical and jazz
21	Maiden’s PrayerTekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska		The beautiful melody of Maiden’s Prayer
22	Piano Sonata No. 20, Op. 49 No. 2, First MovementLudwig van Beethoven		Beethoven’s early light and elegant works
23	Piano Sonata No. 16, K. 545, First MovementWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Mozart’s sonatas for beginners
24	Préludes, Book I, No. 8: “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair”Claude Debussy		Characteristics of Debussy’s “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair” and Tips for Performance
25	Polonaise No. 11 in G minor (Posthumous)Frederic Chopin		A childhood masterpiece by Chopin—approachable and easy to take on
26	25 Etudes Op. 100-25 “The Lady’s Riding”Johann Burgmüller		Burgmüller’s “La Chevaleresque” (The Horseman) is a masterpiece among etudes.
27	Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331, Third Movement “Turkish March”Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Mozart’s Turkish March is a staple for recitals, but it requires advanced technique.
28	Arabesque of WavesMiyoshi Akira		Akira Miyoshi’s delicate piano piece, Arabesque of the Waves
29	Three StarsVilla-Lobos		Three Stars: Captivating Piano Pieces of Brazilian Music
30	18 Characteristic Etudes Op. 109 No. 15 “Spirit of the Wind”Johann Burgmüller		The charm and world of Burgmüller’s Etudes
31	AcrobatDmitri Shostakovich		Shostakovich’s Piano Piece “Acrobat”
32	Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major, K. 332 (K6 300k), No. 1Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Elegant melodies and beautiful music of the Classical era
33	Six Variations on ‘A Vacant Heart’, WoO 70Ludwig van Beethoven		Beethoven's Variations Works
34	Impromptu, Op. 90 No. 2Franz Schubert		Schubert Impromptus: Studies for Developing Expressive Power
35	Fantaisie-ImpromptuFrederic Chopin		Impressive for its passion and beauty in Chopin’s works
36	Impromptu of the WindNakata Yoshinao		A melody like a refreshing, free wind
37	Turkish MarchWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		Mozart's Turkish March. For a recital.
38	Children’s Album, Volume 1: “Album of My Boyhood,” No. 5: EtudeAram Khachaturian		A lively piano piece of Armenian traditional music
39	Wiener MarchCarl Czerny		Charming piano pieces of Austria
40	Boys’ Merry-Go-RoundNiels Wilhelm Gade		A lively and beautiful piano piece for children
41	Minuet in F major, K. 5, from Nannerl’s Music BookWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		A work by six-year-old Mozart for his sister
42	Carnival BallWilliam Gillock		A passionate piece with the charm of samba rhythm
43	Six Pieces for Children (Christmas Album), Op. 72: No. 2 in E-flat major, Andante sostenuto, MWV U 170Felix Mendelssohn		Mendelssohn’s heartwarming piano piece
44	Fantasiestücke, Op. 12: No. 2 “Flying”Robert Schumann		A passionate and beautiful piano piece composed by Schumann
45	Brave Rider from ‘Album for Children’Robert Schumann		A short masterpiece that expresses the image of a knight
46	ToccatinaDimitri Kabalevsky		A lively piano piece from a collection in A minor
47	Für EliseLudwig van Beethoven		Challenge yourself with emotional expression in Beethoven's masterpieces
48	Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56Bartók Béla		Characteristics and Performance Tips of Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances
49	Turkish RondoJohann Burgmüller		A brilliant modulation piece from A minor to A major
50	Etude Allegro: A Duet Collection for ChildrenNakata Yoshinao		Nurturing children's musicality with a C major duet piece
51	Piano Sonata K. 545, 1st MovementWolfgang Amadeus Mozart		The Appeal and Techniques of Mozart’s Famous Piano Pieces
52	25 Etudes, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüller		Commentary on Burgmüller's Étude “Tarantella”
53	Impromptu, Op. 90 No. 4Franz Schubert		The graceful beauty of Schubert’s Impromptus
54	Estampes, No. 3: Gardens in the RainClaude Debussy		Characteristics of Debussy's The Garden in the Rain and Performance Tips
55	Brave SoldierCornelius Gurlitt		A powerful march that stirs a boy’s heart
56	Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100 No. 2 “The Hunt”Johann Burgmüller		A brilliant march inspired by Islamic art
57	Études “30 Pieces for Children, Op. 27” No. 3Dmitri Kabalevsky		A charming masterpiece in the style of a Russian folk song, a short piano piece for children
58	18 Characteristic Etudes, Op. 109 No. 13 “The Great Thunderstorm”Johann Burgmüller		For a recital of Burgmüller’s “The Storm”
59	speed carNakata Yoshinao		Piano practice pieces that help you learn a sense of rhythm and expressiveness
60	Chase the mysteryJuhara Ryoko		A thrilling musical work with a sense of storytelling
61	Dance of the SwineherdBartók Béla		An enchanting piece of Hungarian folk dance music
62	scramble crossinghashimoto kouichi		A dynamic piece that expresses the hustle and bustle of the city through irregular time signatures
63	Children’s Corner No. 1: “Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum”Claude Debussy		A lively piano miniature dedicated to Debussy’s beloved daughter
64	The Confectionery World, No. 14: “Demon Arare”Yuyama Akira		Fuse Japanese and Western music in a short piece
65	Invention No. 8, BWV 779J.S.Bach		A lively, upbeat piece perfect for improving your technique.
66	Sonatina in A minor, Op. 27 No. 18Dmitri Kabalevsky		A short piece by Kabalevsky that requires deeply moving expressiveness
67	Babayaga Op. 39-20Pyotr Tchaikovsky		A famous piece for children that depicts a witch's tale through music
68	“Dance of the Natives” from Children’s Piano PiecesNakata Yoshinao		A short piece with powerful rhythms and captivating traditional scales
69	Midnight Fire Festival from ‘Rhythm of the Rainbow’Hirayoshi Takeshu		A passionate, Spanish-style piano miniature
70	Sonatina No. 12, Movement IMuzio Clementi		A bright Classical-era piano piece like spring
71	Waltz in A minor, Op. posth.Frederic Chopin		Chopin’s posthumous work, a masterpiece where melancholy and elegance intersect
72	Tarantella, Op. 77 No. 6Moritz Moszkowski		Moszkowski’s cheerful and flamboyant piano piece
73	Csikos PostHermann Necke		A gem of a lively tune beloved as sports day BGM
74	Gypsy Dance (Dance of the Gypsies)Heinrich Lichner		Romani music-influenced, passionate short piece
75	Sonatina No. 10, First MovementMuzio Clementi		A masterpiece that conveys the expressiveness and allure of piano music
76	Serenade of the BuglerFritz Spindler		A song with a bright melody that lifts your spirits
77	Dance and SongNakata Yoshinao		An enchanting piano solo piece with a Japanese-style rhythm
78	Burgmüller 25 Progressive Pieces, Op. 100, No. 11 “The Wagtail”Johann Burgmüller		A light, bird-like piece in 2/4 time
79	Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 15 “Ballade”Johann Burgmüller		Burgmüller’s narrative and elegant piano pieces
80	Children’s Album, Volume 1, “Picture Book of Boyhood”: No. 7, Hobbyhorse (Cavalry)Aram Khachaturian		A dynamic piano miniature that expresses a child's playful spirit
81	Stilienne – Burgmüller 25 Études, Op. 100 No. 14Johann Burgmüller		A triple-meter piece inspired by traditional Alpine dance music
82	Burgmüller 25 Easy and Progressive Studies, Op. 100 No. 20 “Tarantella”Johann Burgmüller		A passionate piece inspired by Southern Italian dances.