Learning the Schubert impromptus

[imbetter]

I'm making a goal for myself to learn all the Schubert impromptus. Why am I doing this you may ask? I think they're beautifal pieces and they'd be good pieces to learn. I'm going in the order of easiest to hardest and I'm going to keep a log of them here:

Op.142 no.2
op.90 no.3
op.90 no.1 (learning)

[le_poete_mourant]

Good goal to have.  It'll take you a while.  Fingering is so important for the Impromptus, but even more important, I think, is phrasing.  Must be thoughtful. 

Good luck!

[cloches_de_geneve]

That's a superb goal to have! In addition, if you are performing, you can place them on almost any recital-program. And people just love them - with good reason.

[arbisley]

Quite right, i've learned the 3rd one, and i absolutely love the 1st and 2nd. Haven't heard the fourth one yet unfortunately...

They're the type of piece I think can always remain in top form without too much practise once you have mastered them to perfection, maybe that's just because it's the first time I almost did that. I should post a recording in the audition room when I get it...

[imbetter]

thanks guys. arbisley, you should here murray periahs recording of the impromptus thats what inspired me to learn them. I finished learning op.142 no.2 and im about to work on op.90 no.3

[imbetter]

I finished learning op.90 no.3 and started op. 90 no.1 

[nicco]

I finished learning op.90 no.3 and started op. 90 no.1 

You finished the impromptu in 4 hours? Just what are you trying to prove here?

[imbetter]

You finished the impromptu in 4 hours? Just what are you trying to prove here?

It wasn't that hard acctualy. Pretty basic. Spend about 2 hours learning the notes and another 2 learning details such as dynamics and rythym. It wasn't that hard.

[jakev2.0]

Dude, can I have a free ticket to your Carnegie Hall debut?

[imbetter]

Dude, can I have a free ticket to your Carnegie Hall debut?

Ok give me your address and ill mail you a ticket  

[jakev2.0]

123 Fake Street

[imbetter]

123 Fake Street

ok the ticket is on the way

[jakev2.0]

Respect. 

[cloches_de_geneve]

Among many other recordings of the impromptus, I have a recording of the op. 90 pieces by Sergio Fiorentino. I can tell you: For these pieces, the guy is unmatched! Listen to his recording and you'll quickly forget the ones by Perahaia, Schiff, Brendel, Richter & co.

The point I want to make here: In the end, it is completely irrelevant if it takes you 4 hours, 4 days, 4 weeks, 4 months or 4 years to learn these pieces. I would take 4 years over 4 hours anytime if, in the end, I was able to interpret these impromtus like a true artist and poet. THAT should be the ultimate goal even though, sadly, it is out of reach for 99.5% of accomplished professional concert pianists (not to speak of amateurs).

[cygnusdei]

I have a DVD of a Zimerman recital playing Chopin 4 Ballades, Scherzo no. 2, Fantasy op. 49, Barcarolle, and Schubert Impromptus Op. 90. It is so anticlimatic.  He played the impromptus beautifully, but the music is of such limited dramatic and emotional range  that they seem little more than encore pieces compared to the Chopin numbers.

[arensky]

I'm going to play the Op.90 Impromptus in April. Looking forward to playing 30 minutes of music that the audience will enjoy and that won't stress me out. Then I only have to learn the f minor Op.142 #1 to have them all in my rep.

But before I learn that one (don't care for it much) it's the Sonata in A D. 959, my favorite Scubert Sonata.