Piano Forum

Piano Board => Repertoire => Topic started by: pianochick93 on January 09, 2008, 05:54:06 AM

Title: A piece to learn
Post by: pianochick93 on January 09, 2008, 05:54:06 AM
I am looking for a piece that I could perform at school. It's not a big performance, just a start-of-term assessment in a few weeks. I was going to perform Prelude opus 3:2 by Rachmaninoff, but that wont be ready in time as I have been without a piano for most of the holidays.

So I'm looking for suggestions of pieces, about grade 6 or 7 by the grading system of this site (the excel spreadsheet) (yes I know it is not official, but it is a general guide.)
Preferably of the romantic era, and definitely not baroque. I don't really mind about composer, the piece just has to sound pretty.

Please don't suggest Prelude op. 28:15 (raindrop) by Chopin, I already did that.

Thanks a lot.
Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: quantum on January 09, 2008, 06:08:28 AM
Albeniz - Suite Espanola.  Try #1 Granada

Scriabin preludes?

Medtner Op.8 Nr. 1
Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: pianochick93 on January 09, 2008, 07:22:10 AM
Thanks, I will have a look at them.

I have just realised what I could do that I already have half-learned. Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte by Ravel. I was looking through pieces in the sheet music section, and it hit me with such force I almost swore at myself for not realising earlier.

Having said that, suggestions are still welcomed, I need a new repetoire.
Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: lazlo on January 09, 2008, 08:22:57 AM
I second the scriabin préludes. man, they're just incredibly good. And short. Although mostly, they're fairly challenging. Rythmically if nothing else. Check out op. 11 #8, 24, and op. 16 #2. Those would be my recommendation. Although there are many many more.

Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: pianochick93 on January 09, 2008, 09:09:29 AM
Those look good, but they are a little hard for me to learn in 3 or 4 weeks.

I will give one a try as a long term project though, perhaps ask my teacher if she can get a copy for me.
Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: klavierkonzerte on January 09, 2008, 10:01:54 AM
czerny/ schubert variations op.12 is very enjoyable to play and sounds 'pretty'.

or you could choose some pieces from schumann davidsbundlertanz or carnaval, i recomend you take a look at florestan, it's very impressive but somehow awakward which's typical schumann.
Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: quantum on January 09, 2008, 05:57:16 PM
Turina.  Op 55.  "Sacro-monte" is the most well known, but the rest of the suite is good too.
Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: arensky on January 09, 2008, 06:02:25 PM
Turina.  Op 55.  "Sacro-monte" is the most well known, but the rest of the suite is good too.

Particularly "Generalife". The whole suite is excellent music and not overly difficult and audiences like it.  8)
Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: kyliec on January 09, 2008, 08:49:17 PM
Hi, what about some of these ideas?
- something from Debussy's Children's corner
- Faure's Romance Sans Paroles (one of them is grade 6 and very pretty)
- one of the easier Chopin waltzes

good luck with your exam
Kylie
Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: alzado on January 10, 2008, 03:11:01 PM
I wish you success with the Ravel "Pavane."

However, this is a piece much easier to play in any sort of fashion than to really play correctly.   It seems to elicit quite a few very shabby performances.

So if you are going to play it, be certain to have it "vetted" by your teacher as a proper performance.

As I said, I do wish you success and I am betting you will get it right.
Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: pianochick93 on January 11, 2008, 12:23:49 PM
Kyliec: Thanks for the suggestions, I wll have a look at them.

Alzado: I hope I get it right, I will not play it unless it is at a standard that I like, because there are many other pianists at the same level as me or higher in the class, and I would feel horrible if I didn't play it properly.
Title: Re: A piece to learn
Post by: freakofnature on January 11, 2008, 02:21:20 PM
Albeniz - Suite Espanola.  Try #1 Granada

That's a beautiful piece and not very hard if you succeed in playing the guitar-like chords of the right hand quietly and smoothly!