The change of season invites us to rediscover music with a fresh perspective. Spring and summer inspire a kind of repertoire that, while not lacking in depth, is characterised by vitality, clarity, and a strong sense of evocation. During this time of year, many pianists are drawn to pieces that reflect the brightness of the landscape, the longer daylight, and the more relaxed rhythms of the warmer months.
For both students and advanced pianists, choosing seasonal repertoire can be a way to renew motivation and approach expression through a different emotional lens.
Nature and tonal colour
Works like Arabesque No. 1 by Claude Debussy or Clair de Lune beautifully capture nature’s changing light and mood. La Fille aux cheveux de lin is another poetic choice, delicate in texture but harmonically rich and expressive.
In a more classical style, Mendelssohn’s Barcarolle or selections from Schumann’s Kinderszenen offer clarity and warmth—ideal qualities for summer study—and allow pianists to explore phrasing and dynamic control with elegance.
Short pieces for daily study
Melodic études by Burgmüller or selected works from Tchaikovsky’s Album for the Young provide a technically light yet musically satisfying way to keep up a summer practice routine.
For beginner to intermediate levels, these pieces bring variety without technical overload and can be integrated into more flexible summer schedules or informal lessons.
Contemporary works and lighter arrangements
Modern arrangements and minimalist works also lend themselves well to this time of year. Popular songs, film music, or pieces by composers like Ludovico Einaudi or Yann Tiersen offer a lighter yet enriching musical experience.
The key is to maintain a balance between challenge and accessibility, choosing pieces that encourage freedom at the keyboard rather than frustration.
Repertoire that follows the seasons
Choosing repertoire based on the time of year isn’t a rule, but it can be a helpful pedagogical and emotional tool. Seasons affect our mood, our time, and even the way we relate to the instrument.
That’s why, in spring and summer, we encourage pianists to explore pieces that invite openness and spontaneity—music that allows them to enjoy the piano as a natural extension of the surrounding atmosphere.
At Jorquera Pianos, we believe that every season brings new possibilities at the keyboard. Let the music of spring and summer inspire your practice and deepen your connection with the instrument.