recital opener - recommend

[andhow04]

i always tend to throw away the first piece of the recital..  i make the mistake of doing some scarlatti sonata that requires really precise technique then i tend to mess it up and just blow it... then i get into the program after.

i need a short, witty piece that i can use to open a recital that is not challenging but sounds impressive.  im thinkin prokofiev march from 3 oranges for isntance?  PLEASE GIVE SUGGESTIOSN!

something upbeat, bright, that i c'n use to warm up in concert!

[michael_langlois]

Why don't you give the entire audience kazoos on which to play the exposition of Rach 2, whilst you warm up with the arpeggi?

[ilikepie]

Moszowski etude op 72 no. 6 is the only piece I can think of at the moment that doesn't require very precise technique and is short and witty, upbeat and bright and whatever you typed lol. Some Prokofiev Vision Fugitives might not be too bad.

[Alde]

In the 19th century it was common for pianists to "prelude" before playing a piece.  Preluding was a form of improvising which could be short or long depending on your mood.  I would love to see a movement towards bringing back this tradition.

[michael_langlois]

In the 19th century it was common for pianists to "prelude" before playing a piece.  Preluding was a form of improvising which could be short or long depending on your mood.  I would love to see a movement towards bringing back this tradition.

How about a circle-of-fifths improvisation in D major?

[dnephi]

How about Bach-Rachmaninoff Partita No.3 for Solo Violin in E Major? 

[sharon_f]

I don't know if you call it upbeat but I think the Bach C minor Fantasia is a terrific opener. Not too long. Not as difficult as it sounds and doesn't require that absolute note-perfectness that Scarlatti demands.

[rhapsody4]

The Chopin preludes are certainly good (obvious) warm up pieces and there is an abundance of choice there that aren't too demanding or long. In fact, most things titled "Prelude" would be suitable, certainly Rachmaninov or Gershwin have written (reasonably) straightforward preludes that are not particularly serious. Alternatively, depending on your programme, Scott Joplin pieces would also fit quite well and not take too long to learn - I wouldn't recommend going straight into something heavy though!

[quantum]

Improvise, that helps loosen up the bond between performer and audience.

Perform "audience participation" by audience (see title for instructions)

Ginastera - American Preludes (choose a couple)

Turina - some miniatures

Albeniz - Suite Espanola (choose a perky one)