Piano Repertoire: Level 6

Course
32 Lessons

This course provides students with training on piano repertoire at the intermediate level. These pieces are generally longer, faster, or more musically sophisticated compared to repertoire found in the lower levels. Many pieces also require the use of the damper pedal.

Requires Intermediate Plan

Course Instructions & Sheet Music

1. Schumann "From Foreign Lands and People"

This well-known piece from Schumann’s Scenes from Childhood is a favorite among many pianists. The texture is comprised of separate melody and bass parts with a triplet-based accompaniment passed between the hands.

Difficulty = Moderate

Lesson on "From Foreign Lands"

Counting Demonstration for "From Foreign Lands"

Performance Example for "From Foreign Lands"

2. Bach "Little Prelude in C Minor"

This is a great piece to help students develop musical sensitivity when playing music by Bach. This piece is often played at a moderate to slow tempo with a legato articulation.

Difficulty = Somewhat Challenging

Lesson on "Little Prelude in C Minor"

Slow Practice Demonstration for "Little Prelude in C Minor"

Performance Example for "Little Prelude in C Minor"

3. Gurlitt "Elegie"

This is a very interesting but lesser known piece from Gurlitt’s Op. 172 collection. The tonality, mood, and rhythmic figures are somewhat reminiscent of the first movement from Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.

Difficulty = Moderate

Lesson on "Elegie"

Slow Practice Demonstration for "Elegie"

Performance Example for "Elegie"

4. Beethoven "Minuet in C Major"

This piece is one of the most well-known of the Beethoven minuets and presents a great opportunity to practice playing octaves and chords in an expanded hand position.

Difficulty = Moderate

Lesson on "Minuet"

Slow Practice Demonstration for "Minuet"

Performance Example for "Minuet"

5. Grieg "Arietta"

This is the first piece from Grieg’s famous Lyric Pieces collection. The texture is comprised of melody and bass parts with an arpeggiated figure passed between the hands. This piece can be somewhat uncomfortable for small hands, but it is still playable.

Difficulty = Somewhat Challenging

Lesson on "Arietta"

Pedaling Tutorial for "Arietta"

Counting Demonstration for "Arietta"

Performance Example for "Arietta"

6. Bach "Little Prelude in D Minor"

This fast and energetic piece serves as a great stepping stone to the Bach inventions, while also being slightly less challenging. However, it is still one of the most challenging of the Little Preludes.

Difficulty = Challenging

Lesson on "Little Prelude in D Minor"

Slow Practice Demonstration for "Little Prelude in D Minor"

Performance Example for "Little Prelude in D Minor"

7. Gurlitt "Ländler"

This beautiful dance-like piece works well to prepare students for Chopin waltzes, mazurkas, and other similar pieces. While the key can be difficult to interpret, the piece itself is relatively simple.

Difficulty = Moderate

Lesson on "Ländler"

Slow Practice Demonstration for "Ländler"

Performance Example for "Ländler"

8. Kuhlau "Sonatina in C Major" (Movement 1)

This popular sonatina movement features a simple opening theme followed by challenging scale runs throughout. Some pianists find this piece to be more challenging than it first appears.

Difficulty = Somewhat Challenging

Lesson on "Sonatina in C Major"

Slow Practice Demonstration for "Sonatina in C Major"

Performance Example for "Sonatina in C Major"

9. Chopin "Prelude in E Minor"

Many pianists consider this prelude to be one of the most accessible of all Chopin’s works for the piano. However, a great deal of musical maturity is required to deliver a convincing performance.

Difficulty = Moderate

Lesson on "Prelude in E Minor"

Slow Practice Demonstration for "Prelude in E Minor"

Performance Example for "Prelude in E Minor"

10. Burgmüller "The Storm"

This is a great example of a piece that sounds like it might be more challenging than it actually is to play. However, the sustained runs of faster notes and bold character requires a strong technical proficiency to pull off.

Difficulty = Very Challenging

Lesson on "The Storm"

Slow Practice Demonstration for "The Storm"

Performance Example for "The Storm"