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Recital Favorites, Part Four: My Top Picks for Intermediates!

2/27/2024

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Are you preparing for your spring recital? This month on my blog, I am sharing a 4 part series featuring my top recital picks for students at each level!

This series will highlight original pieces and arrangements from my own catalog and will include some of my own personal favorites, as well as some of my best-selling, most popular titles for each level.

Today I am highlighting showstopping recital pieces for intermediates! Keep reading to see more....

Did you miss the earlier posts in this series? Check them out here: 
  • Part One: recital picks for beginners
  • Part Two: recital picks for late beginners
  • Part Three: recital picks for early intermediates

At the intermediate level, I like to look for pieces that showcase a variety of moods and skills. Lyrical melody lines, "big" chords, dramatic tempo changes--these elements all contribute to creating pieces that give intermediate students the opportunity to create a powerful and expressive performance! Here are my top picks for pieces that showcase these skills:

Original Pieces

Click on the covers below to see and hear samples of these pieces:
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This rockin' version of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" is a unique twist on the favorite classic and will appeal to students who love high energy pieces.

Get the collection! Available as part of the "Rockin' the Classics" collections HERE.
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Looking for a dramatic, cinematic-style piece that sounds more difficult than it is to play? Look no further! A showstopper!

Get the collection! Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 4" collection HERE.
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This rhapsody, inspired by the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, evokes a wide range of moods and is the perfect piece for students who enjoy music that is both powerful and expressive.

Get the collection! Available as part of the "Rhapsodies and Reveries, Volume 2" collection HERE.
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This moody, pop-style solo will appeal to students who love expressive pieces in minor keys.

Get the collection! Available as part of the "Rock On! Volume 2" collection HERE.
Pop and Classical Favorites
If you have students itching to play the famous Chopin "Nocturne in E-flat," but who aren't ready for the original piece, consider this lovely intermediate-level arrangement that maintains the character of the original at a more accessible level.

Click HERE to see the music!
Gamer students will love this exciting medley, featuring several well-known themes from the classic "Super Mario Bros." video game!

Click HERE to see the music!
This "TikTok famous" song has been super popular with students--and for good reason! It has a lovely piano part that sounds impressive and is fun to play.
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Click HERE to see the music!

Also available for late elementary and early intermediate piano solo! See all available versions HERE.
This lovely piece by Joe Hisaishi is both dramatic and expressive--a student favorite!

​Click HERE to see the music!

​Get the collection! Available as part of the "Studio Ghibli Favorites for Intermediates" collection HERE.

Also available for beginner, easy, and early intermediate piano solo! See all available versions HERE.
Evenly-Leveled Duets
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An exciting duet that passes the melody line between primo and secondo in "dueling piano" style!
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This spooky duet features a variety of fun techniques including hand crossings, grace notes, glissandi, trills, and more!
Get the collection! Both of these duets are available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 4" collection HERE.

Looking for more intermediate level recital options? Browse my whole catalog of nearly 400 original pieces and arrangements at the intermediate level HERE.
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What do you think? What qualities do you look for when you are choosing recital pieces for your intermediate students? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

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    Chrissy Ricker is a pianist, teacher, and composer from North Carolina. These are her thoughts on teaching, composing, and all things music.


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