Sheet music

Film music for piano: 27 pieces

From Interstellar to Amélie – with an honest note on which arrangements are playable and which were written for the concert hall.

27 pieces1 in the public domain7 for beginners

Beginner

City of Stars (La La Land)Justin HurwitzThe melody that carried the film – calm, plain and without a single hard passage. Sadness and Sorrow (Naruto)Toshio MasudaThe melancholy flute melody from Naruto – one of the most played anime pieces on the piano. Avatar: The Last Airbender – Main ThemeJeremy ZuckermanThe short, ceremonial theme of the series – told in a few bars and quickly learnt. Bella CiaotraditionalAn old Italian song that a TV series turned into a worldwide earworm.in the public domain Speak Softly Love (The Godfather)Nino RotaThe waltz melody that sounds like Sicily at once – slow, plain and within reach in days. Gravity Falls – Main ThemeBrad BreeckThe short, mysterious title theme – quickly learnt and instantly recognisable. Way Back Then (Squid Game)Jung Jae-ilThe innocuous-sounding tune that is anything but innocuous in the series.

Intermediate

Interstellar – Main ThemeHans ZimmerOrgan textures building over minutes – film music that lives on patience rather than dexterity. Hedwig's Theme (Harry Potter)John WilliamsThe celesta theme everyone recognises after two notes – in triple time, with a left hand that reaches far. Stranger Things – Main ThemeKyle Dixon, Michael SteinThe rising synthesiser figure that conjures up a whole series in three seconds. My Heart Will Go On (Titanic)James HornerThe flute melody that came out of every radio in 1997 – calmer on the piano, just as recognisable. Wednesday – Cello Theme (Paint It Black)Chris Bacon (nach The Rolling Stones)The cello arrangement that turned a whole series into a trend in 2022 – dark and gripping on the piano. Game of Thrones – Main ThemeRamin DjawadiThe series’ cello theme, surprisingly idiomatic on the piano – a short motif that builds on itself. Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceRyuichi SakamotoSakamoto’s most famous melody – sparse, floating, with a theme that never quite resolves. Hikaru Nara (Your Lie in April)Goose houseThe anime about playing the piano – its title song is played back accordingly often. SkyfallAdele, Paul EpworthAdele’s Bond song – dark, measured and remarkably effective on the piano. Dune – Main ThemeHans ZimmerZimmer’s desert sound – less melody than texture, a study in colour on the piano. How Far I’ll Go (Moana)Lin-Manuel MirandaThe song that runs on repeat in children’s rooms – and asks more of the pianist than it sounds. Comptine d'un autre étéYann TiersenAmélie’s theme – eight notes in the left hand, a melody in the right, and unmistakable all the same. Merry-Go-Round of Life (Howl’s Moving Castle)Joe HisaishiHisaishi’s waltz – the best-known Ghibli melody and a perennial favourite on the piano. Doctor Who – Main ThemeRon GrainerThe first electronic television theme in history – on the piano a driving bass under a floating upper voice. Time (Inception)Hans ZimmerFour notes that build into a wall over five minutes – Zimmer’s most played piano piece. One Summer’s Day (Spirited Away)Joe HisaishiThe quiet melody from Spirited Away – restrained and one of the most beautiful pieces on this list.

Advanced

He's a Pirate (Pirates of the Caribbean)Klaus Badelt, Hans ZimmerThe march everyone can hum – though the original is an endurance run. Romantic Flight (How to Train Your Dragon)John PowellThe flight over the cliffs as a piano version – the most concert-like film music on this list. Guren no Yumiya (Attack on Titan)Revo (Linked Horizon)The most driving anime opening there is – on the piano a question of stamina. L’s Theme (Death Note)Yoshihisa HiranoThe dark theme of the series – almost baroque in feel, with a left hand that never rests.