Beautiful music that is not hard to play

[bernhard]

Having come across this thread,

http://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/board,2/topic,7005.3.html#msg69616

I found a comment by Bartolomeo (with which I wholeheartedly agree):

There is plenty of beautiful music that isn't hard to play.

Any suggestions?

Here is what would be helpful (if possible):

1.   The complete reference for the piece (name, opus, publisher).

2.   A brief description and the level of difficulty (one may use grades, or simply- “elementary”, “intermediate” “advanced”).

3.   Advanced does not really mean advanced, but something that most people should be able to tackle after 2 – 3 years of serious study, e.g Mendelssohn’s songs without words, Debussy’s Arabesque, Bach easiest preludes and fugues.

4.   If recordings (or midis) are available, please list them.

5.   If free scores are available, please direct us to them.

6.   Repertory that is not battered to death (e.g. Fur Elise) should be give preference.

Here is a starting:

Elementary:

Alan Hovhaness – “Sleeping Cat” – Hauntingly beautiful piece – extremely easy (grade 1 ABRSM) with great scope for musicality. There is a recording of it on the ABRSM grade 1 pieces CD. It is one of the pieces of the album “Sketchbook of Mr. Purple Poverty” op. 309, which I recommend you get since the other pieces in it are also of superior quality. Alternatively you can get the “Select grade 1 exam pieces 2005 – 2006” from the ABRSM.

Here is the ABRSM site for more details:

http://www.abrsmpub.co.uk/

Intermediate:

Georg Benda – Sonatina in A minor (no. 3 on the collection of 12 sonatinas – Easier piano pieces no. 47 – ABRSM) – Grade 4. Exhilarating and athletic piece with fast arpeggios divided between the hands and hand crossings on the second part. This is a one-movement sonatina (only 49 bars long) that sounds much more difficult than it actually is. The only recording I know of it (may be out of print) is the ABRSM grade 4 exam pieces 2001-2002 CD.

Advanced:

Ottorino Respighi – “Notturno”(Grade 7/8) – Wonderful, lyrical piece, much closer to Grieg’s “Notturno” in form and feeling than to Chopin’s or Field’s. My own copy is from “Respighi piano works – ed. by Takahiro Seki (Zen-on Piano Library). It has been recorded by Konstantin Scherbakov for Naxos.

You can hear a sample of it here:

http://www.naxos.com/mainsite/default.asp?pn=SContentQuery&itemcode=&disctitle=&works=&Composer=Respighi&Artist=

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Hmoll]

Great idea for a thread!

I'll try to post something every day.

Advanced: Schumann Arabesque - Opus 18.

http://www.sheetmusicarchive.net/dlpage_new.cfm?composition_id=682

Beautiful haunting melody with 16th note acompanying figure split between the hands, somewhat like some of Mendelsohnn's SWWs.

[SteinwayTony]

The Schubert waltzes and Landler are pretty and generally very simple, and more advanced pianists can use them as sightreading (and analyzing) practice.

[Vivers]

Tchaikovsky's "The Seasons"  op. 37 is a collection of 12 pieces, one for each month. I guess it's about an advanced level. I especially like 'June - Barcarolle,' very lyrical, it reminds me of the ocean. You can hear clips of the 12 pieces here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000026CZJ/qid=1108756997/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/102-0611981-0440912

I'll be back with more (hopefully) when I finish going through my stashes of abandoned music.

[shasta]

I have a soft spot for Lecuona's Cordoba and Alhambra.  So beautiful, particularly the middle section of Alhambra.  Faure's Barcarolles and Nocturnes are quite beautiful as well, and not heard very often.  Will post more details/references when I have time.

[musik_man]

Beethoven's Bagatelles op.119

Some late Beethoven for those of us who would butcher the sonatas if we tried them.  I've only heard/played 6 and 11, but I'd bet that the other ones are of the same quality.  In terms of difficulty, I'd say that they are near a Für Elise level.

[lenny]

i think the idea of 'children's pieces' written by great composers is great.

bartok, tchaikovsky, schumann- some easy and very beautiful music right there

[dmk]

On specific pieces...around the late beginner to early intermediate/intermediate level .  And following Bernhard's format:

1/ Schumann
Album for the Young: no 30 ***.  I have this is a Henle.  I am sure it would be published in a cheaper version.  Available free on the internet at http://www.sheetmusicarchive.net

I love this piece, its is so beautiful. I taught this to a student (gr 5)  and then just had to learn it for myself!! I have never heard thought of this piece as being battered to death.

I have an Angela Brownridge recording, its not bad...

2/ Heller

Melodious Etudes:  I'll just list my favourites (but they are all pretty good)....op 47 3,10, 15,21, 23 : op 46 4, 7, 11.  There are plenty of goodies from op 125 and 45 too, if i get around to it i'll post some favourites.  I have these in Kalmus editions, again I am sure they are available from other publishers.

I do not know of any recordings of these..if you have time would you care to enlighten me on this Bernhard???!!!

I don't know if they are available free anywhere

Pieces around the late intermediate to advanced level

3/ Debussy
Prelude from Suite Bergamesque: Ok the Clair de Lune is a much hackneyed work, but the Prelude is seriously underplayed and (IMHO) is much better.  This is so beautiful!!  I also have this in a Henle, again I am sure it is available in a cheaper version.  Available free on the internet at http://www.sheetmusicarchive.net

I have it recorded by Gieseking and Arrau, I honestly prefer the Arrau for the Prelude (his Clair de Lune is far too slow for my tastes but the Prelude is (IMHO) excellent)

4/ Benjamin Britten

Ok, I love Britten's piano piece so here is an incredibly biased opinion

Notturno (Night Piece) (1963): Boosey and Hawkes (beautiful and haunting)

Three Character Pieces (1930): Boosey and Hawkes (range from the fast and fun Michael to the beautiful Daphne)

Holiday Diary (op 5 1934): Boosey and Hawkes

Seminal recording is Stephen Hough on EMI Classics.

I am sure there are plenty more, ill post some when I have time...

Thanks for this post Bernhard....an excellent idea.  I can't wait to hear others suggestions!!!

[galonia]

Franz Liszt - the three Consolations.  My teacher chose these for me to play as an introduction to the music of Liszt which is not "finger-breaking" (her words).

[ted]

"Heliotrope Bouquet", the beautiful little collaboration of Joplin with Louis Chauvin.

Any comprehensive volume of Joplin, e.g. Dover will have it.
Difficulty - intermediate.
Dozens of recordings, e.g. Bolcom, Arpin, Neilsen, many others - also occurs in many CD compilations.
Copyright 1907, Stark Music - now public domain, I think.

---------------


"Rosemary" by Frank Bridge

Title:  Three sketches : piano solo [music] / Frank Bridge.
 Publisher:  London : Boosey & Hawkes, c1915.
 Description:  15 p. ; 32 cm.
 Contents:  April -- Rosemary -- Valse capricieuse.
 Notes:  S.2678 Boosey & Hawkes.
Cover title.
Pl. no.: S 2678.
Recording - Peter Jacobs, Continuum CCD 1019
Difficulty - intermediate.

--------------
 
Oh, I almost forgot - a gem - "Chandelier Rag" by Hal Isbitz.
Hal publishes his own music and it can be purchased from places such as Ragtime Express on the web in the volume "Twelve Piano Rags by Hal Isbitz"
It is recorded by Scott Kirby on the "Terra Verde" CD
Difficulty - intermediate physically, advanced harmonically and rhythmically.
It isn't really a rag at all but stands unique in its own form.

http://www.ragtime.nu/isbitz.htm

--------------

"Lake Street" or indeed, any of the formal pieces of Reginald Robinson.
He publishes his own music but it can also be bought through the above mentioned source.
Difficulty - intermediate

He was a recent recipient of a US$500,000 genius grant, which fact I'm very pleased about because I've been telling people for years he was special.
See:
http://www.macfdn.org/programs/fel/fellows/robinson_reginald.htm
Recording - Reginald Robinson - "Shades In Silhouette" CD.

-----------

Most of my own early stuff, of which there exist many dozens, falls into the "not so hard" category. "Beautiful" is, of course, subjective.

http://www.pianoworld.com/cdproject/SearchNames3.php

Try the test mp3s under my name.
Anybody can have scans of my scores free. It isn't that I want to promote my music, heaven forbid, but it just might convince my wife I'm not selfish !

[goldfish]

Any suggestions?

I am learning Debussy's Album Leaf. Thats very beautiful and is his easiest piece - grade 4 - ish.

I found the music in this book:

The Great Piano Works Of Claude Debussy, published by IMP
http://www.musicroom.com/se/ID_No/029871/details.html

Which also includes advice on playing each piece and a CD.

goldfish

[dmk]

I've thought of a couple more

Frank Bridge
9 Miniature Pastorales- Intermediate Level
Thames Publishing
I am not sure if these are recorded

All are nice miniatures but I particularly like no 8.  It is also a good teaching piece for teaching students to go from playing triplets to quavers to semiquavers.  It also sounds very impressive!

Carl Vine
Semplice from- Red Blues- Late Beginner early intermediate
Faber
Again, not sure if this has been recorded.

Beautiful piece with 7/8 and 8/8 time, good contemporary work, with a 2-part texture.




Keep the suggestions coming..!!! BTW Bernhard, I love that Respighi Nocturne

[goldfish]

On specific pieces...around the late beginner to early intermediate/intermediate level .  And following Bernhard's format:

1/ Schumann
Album for the Young: no 30 ***.  I have this is a Henle.  I am sure it would be published in a cheaper version.  Available free on the internet at http://www.sheetmusicarchive.net

I love this piece, its is so beautiful. I taught this to a student (gr 5)  and then just had to learn it for myself!!

Wow thanks for posting this suggestion. I've just listened to the piece and can't believe I'd overlooked it before. I'll start on it tomorrow 

goldfish

[apion]

Beethoven's Bagatelles op.119

Some late Beethoven for those of us who would butcher the sonatas if we tried them.  I've only heard/played 6 and 11, but I'd bet that the other ones are of the same quality.  In terms of difficulty, I'd say that they are near a Für Elise level.

I would agree with this.

[dmk]

Wow thanks for posting this suggestion. I've just listened to the piece and can't believe I'd overlooked it before. I'll start on it tomorrow

goldfish

My pleasure, I can't believe I overlooked it for as long as I did....I am glad its not just me....ENJOY!!!!

[rlefebvr]

1/ Schumann
Album for the Young: no 30 ***.  I have this is a Henle.  I am sure it would be published in a cheaper version.  Available free on the internet at http://www.sheetmusicarchive.net

This is amazing and really is simple to play, I think.

I searched Hi and low for a midi file last night and could not find any.
Anyone have one I could download.
Does not have to be complete or have a great sound, just want to make sure I am playing this thing right.

On a side note, Schumann's Album for the Young comes up often in discussions. Anyone that knows of a good CD edition, that would also be helpful.

[goldfish]

This is amazing and really is simple to play, I think.

I searched Hi and low for a midi file last night and could not find any.
Anyone have one I could download.
Does not have to be complete or have a great sound, just want to make sure I am playing this thing right.

On a side note, Schumann's Album for the Young comes up often in discussions. Anyone that knows of a good CD edition, that would also be helpful.

I have this one:

http://www.hyperion-records.com/details/55039.asp

and I'm very happy with it. Wish I could play no.30 as well as the pianist on the CD.

I think the difficulty in finding midis for more than about a handfull of these pieces was what prompted me to get the CD.


goldfish

[keys]

Grieg, To the Spring: breathtaking, I love it. I would say intermediate level

Alexina Louie, Distant Memories: A stunning introduction to modern music, not too long. Intermediate level as well. (I believe both songs are on the Gr.9 RCM)

[Skeptopotamus]

chopin nocturnes

un sospiro

liszt consolations

any minimalist stuff you can find

and the Xenakis Herma.  a romantic and moving piece if i've ever heard one.

[chopinisque]

Skeptopotamus, are you sure about Un Sospiro?  It is a Lizst Etude after all.

Tango 3 (Argentine) by Seiber from Easy Dances Volume 1(Schott Music) or ABRSM 2003-4 Grade 3 book.

Very impressive for a grade 3 piece.  It made my brother who almost never practiced sound good.  A nice march-like tango.  It starts fast and energetically and then changes key in the middle to become romantic and stately.  You can hear a rough recording at red crocodile by some beginner who recorded his playing.  http://www.redcrocodile.net/etcs/piano.php

Tango by Albeniz.  ABRSM rates it grade 6 so I'd guess it would be sort of Intermediate to Advanced.  It's a great classy piece that sounds wondeful even though its technical demands are minimal.  Except for the pedaling.  I lost marks for pedaling in an exam.

[Skeptopotamus]

un sospiro is easier than liebestraume no. 3 i think.


ps dont go looking for the Xenakis that was a joke.

[Op. 1 No. 2]

chopin nocturnes

Most nocturnes are pretty hard, and don't fit in the "not hard to play" category I think.

[CJ Quinn]

I'd guess these are intermediate, but I never really know how to classify these things being mostly self-taught.  Many of the Scriabin preludes are, if not easy to play, at least very brief and less daunting to tackle than longer works.  Here are three that I play and have recorded, plus one of the Pictures at an Exhibition movements, in the same difficulty range I think:

   Scriabin: Prelude Opus 16 No. 1

   Scriabin: Prelude Opus 11 No. 10

   Scriabin: Prelude Opus 11 No. 5

   Moussorgsky: Pictures: Ill Vecchio Castillo

MP3s are available on my media page:

http://www.media.cjquinn.com

[xvimbi]

What, nobody has mentioned the easier Satie pieces yet (Gymnopedies, Gnossiennes)? Too popular?

[bernhard]

1/ Schumann
Album for the Young: no 30 ***.  I have this is a Henle.  I am sure it would be published in a cheaper version.  Available free on the internet at http://www.sheetmusicarchive.net

I love this piece, its is so beautiful. I taught this to a student (gr 5)  and then just had to learn it for myself!! I have never heard thought of this piece as being battered to death.

I have an Angela Brownridge recording, its not bad...

Just saw her recital last night. She played Beethoven (Appasisionata), 2 Chopin ballades and a composer I did not know: Leighton.

I have this CD too, but I also like Michael Endres and Andreas Bach.

2/ Heller

Melodious Etudes:  I'll just list my favourites (but they are all pretty good)....op 47 3,10, 15,21, 23 : op 46 4, 7, 11.  There are plenty of goodies from op 125 and 45 too, if i get around to it i'll post some favourites.  I have these in Kalmus editions, again I am sure they are available from other publishers.

I do not know of any recordings of these..if you have time would you care to enlighten me on this Bernhard???!!!

 Yes, I would be interested too. To my knowledge they have never been recorded. However now it has become fashinable to sell socres with an accompanying CD, so I would not be surprised if someone like Alfred had a recent edition fo the studies with and accompanying CD.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[bernhard]

Some excellent suggestions!

Ted: Great stuff ! how can we get the scores?

Here are a few more:

Elementary:

Amy Beach – “Pierrot and Pierrette” – From Children’s Carnival, op.
A delightful little waltz that sounds much more difficult than it actually is. Amy Beach had a true gift for melody and this is totally tonal without being derivative.

My copy is published by Alfred.

Sahan Arzruni has recorded it for New World Records.

Intermediate:

Gabriel Fauré – Romance sans paroles op. 17 no 3. – Beautiful melody over an arpeggiated accompaniment. The other 2 pieces in this set (nos. 1 and 2) are also worthwhile pieces (no. 1 slightly more difficult than no. 3 and no. 2 much more difficult than both).

You can get the sheet music (free) here:

http://www.sheetmusicarchive.net/single_listing.cfm?composer_id=38

Pascal Rogé recorded it for Decca.

And since xvimbi mentioned it, Erik Satie – Gnossienne no. 4. The easiest (and arguably the most beautiful) of the six.

There are several recordings, I like Pascal Rogé’s (Decca)

Advanced:

Emanuel Chabrier – “Idylle” from “Pièces Pitoresques”. Arguably the most beautiful of the set, it has a hypnotic repeated notes-pattern accompaniment and a delicate highly evocative melodic motif.

My copy of the score is published by International Music Company.

I have recordings by both Alain Planès (Harmonia Mundi) and Naida Cole (Decca), but Naida is far prettier in the cover.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[dmk]

Just saw her recital last night. She played Beethoven (Appasisionata), 2 Chopin ballades and a composer I did not know: Leighton.

Bernhard,

I think the composer is probably the late British composer Kenneth Leighton (he died in 1988).

If you would like to know some more information about him you can go to this website:

www.music.ed.ac.uk/composition/composers/leighton/

To be frank, I don't particularly like his piano music.  I have occassionally used, for teaching, some pieces from Pieces for Angela op47 and I have taught his Sonatina n1 but I am not fond of it.  His works may have been better in the hands of Angela Brownridge....!!!

I started to play his Fantasie Contrapuntista, this is a relatively big work, quite difficult, but I didn't like it enough to persist.

TCL and the ABRSM have used his pieces as exam works, to the best of my memory.

I hope you enjoyed the concert

cheers

dmk

[Radix]

Intermediate / Advanced: Medtner's "Alla Reminiscenza"

I didn't know whether to say intermediate or advanced, because the contrasting rhythms might be hard to pick up on at first, but, once you get them down, it's really a very simple piece to play.

[bernhard]

Bernhard,

I think the composer is probably the late British composer Kenneth Leighton (he died in 1988).

If you would like to know some more information about him you can go to this website:

www.music.ed.ac.uk/composition/composers/leighton/

To be frank, I don't particularly like his piano music.  I have occassionally used, for teaching, some pieces from Pieces for Angela op47 and I have taught his Sonatina n1 but I am not fond of it.  His works may have been better in the hands of Angela Brownridge....!!!

I started to play his Fantasie Contrapuntista, this is a relatively big work, quite difficult, but I didn't like it enough to persist.

TCL and the ABRSM have used his pieces as exam works, to the best of my memory.

I hope you enjoyed the concert

cheers

dmk

Yes, Kenneth Leighton indeed. This sort of music is not my favourite either. It sounds pretty random to me and it would not be out of place as a movie soundtrack. She played a study and his Sonata no. 2. I think she played it very well - I was not bowled over by her Beethoven or her Chopin. She played Gershwin as an encore, and that was excellent. (She also played "Spring" by Grieg as a second encore, and that reinforced my impression that she is more at home with the modern repertory).

It was a very small audience (perhaps 50 people), so the theater was more than half empty which always makes me sad and very reluctant to criticise any pianist in any way. They deserve our best feelings. In fact the audience was quite enthusiastic - she came back for two encores - and I think the audience would have liked another one.

Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed her recital (I have both her CDs of Gershwin and of Schumann's Album for the young - I always admire pianists who will record pieces that are not "virtuoso" pieces - which I think are very good). She has just launched the complete solo piano works of Leighton in a 3 CD set.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.