What's next

[kghayesh]

I had a recital a couple of days ago and i am currently looking for new pieces to learn as the ones i played in the recital i have practiced them and played them zillions of times so that they are near perfect.

The pieces i played were - Bach P&F no. 1 in C (Book 1)
                                        - Mozart K.545  (3 movements)
                                        - Chopin Prelude 7,15
                                                      Nocturne in C# minor (posth)
                                                      Waltz no.19 in A minor

After playing these pieces many times, i think they are too easy for me right now. I feel i am ready to move on to a higher level in the piano repretoire.

My teacher told me that after the recital, we will start working on Chopin's Ballade no.1. I know that if i learnt it all and made it ready for performance, it will be a marvelous step in my repretoire building, but i think that it will be some big leap. Actually i love this ballade so much and the music is so much in my head that i nearly memorize it all in my ear. I think this will help me learn it, but again i think this is a big leap.

Of course, my teacher knows better than me and know whether i can handle the Ballade or not, but i really need some opinions here.....


My other question is what pieces do you think i should start learning??? I had many pieces in mind. Examples are the Pathetique, Chopin Waltz in C# minor, Andante spianato and Grande polonaise, Rachmaninov prelude op.3 no.2 (C# minor), Liebestraume no.3, Gershwin prelude no.1, any chopin Etude (revolutionary maybe).

What do u think???

[kghayesh]

sorry i forgot another thing, the Fantaisie Impromptu

[kghayesh]

Oops....and another one, the Moonlight sonata (3 movements of course)

[TheHammer]

As far as I can see it, the Ballade in Gmin is an extreme leap in your technical progress. Before I continue, I must say: 1) if you love the piece, you will eventually make it to play it. 2) Your teacher most probably knows better than anyone else what pieces you should learn next.
Besides this... a plus is definitely that you already are familiar with Chopin, so you will know some patterns. BUT, nevertheless, the Ballade is extremely demanding (as far as I can see). Just as a comparison, by pure coincidence, I started this same piece today (funny isn't it, and I am serious here). But I sight-read the K.545 for breakfast  (seriously, that is no problem, as well as the waltz, or the nocturne). I have just read through the Ballade and encountered some spots I just know I will have severe problems with (Presto-Coda... as well as the LH in some spots, or the RH arpeggios somewhere in the middle...). I chose that piece as one which is in my grasp so I can learn it quite fast (would say 1-2 months, not sure on memorizing). I figure that you would need at least 6 months (just guessing, but you have realized it already). My suggestion is: don't play it now but in one year, then you will probably need only half of the time. Rather, start another longer Chopin piece, let's say a Scherzo (1 or 2, way easier than the Ballade, IMO) or indeed the Fantasie Impromptu.

For other pieces, you have several very well known to choose from. I don't know if that is what you want...
I would in any case learn a Beethoven sonata. Neither the Pathetique nor the Moonlight are easy, they would both present a considerable stretch in your current development (still easier than the Ballade, although longer). But they are so overplayed... Really, go for something unknown. For example op.14/2, a really light sonata, and not very hard. Or one of op.10...
If you have to choose between the op.13 and 27/2, choose depending on your technique. Are you more comfortable with arpeggio (Moonlight-Presto) or with LH octave tremolo (Path.-1st mov.)? Nah, however, Pathetique is still better...

For the others, well, personally I would only pick one Chopin piece. Probably rather go with a Rachmaninoff Prelude (but the op.3/2 is overplayed as well...) or, better I think, Gershwin (but for more modern composer you should not forget Scriabin, often mentioned here, and Prokofiev, e.g. his Visions fugitives form a good introduction into his style). But consider that there are much more pieces than the usual suspects, I suggest you look into Liszt's Années de Pèlerinage, into some Schumann (ALbumblätter, Waldszenen, etc.), Brahms (op.117, or op.79) or Schubert (Impromptu op.90/op.142 or the Moments Musicaux, op.94, or, my guess for this, "3 Klavierstücke"). These are all beautiful and rather short pieces (but still technical far more demanding than your current repertoire).
And I think some Baroque could fit in there too... Bach or Scarlatti, or, if you have enough of it, some early classic, as Haydn of course.


Again I might say, these a just suggestions to give you some ideas on the broad piano repertoire, do not always stick with the most popular pieces! (hmm, perhaps I should listen to my own advice...)

[kghayesh]

First of all, Thanks for this lengthy and explanatory reply. Look, I know there are tonnes of music with different styles out there to play. But what i want is to play some music that sound familiar to most people..

What i found out is that most people out there in our world are not familiar with classical music. Yet, there are some themes or melodies that are known to most people (first movement of pathetique, Moonlight, Fantaisie impromptu........etc.) I think that to gain popularity of non-technical people (people who don't listen much to classical music)  one must play some familiar music (and i don't mean fur elise and alla turca here). I mean music that will improve one's musical appreciation and technique and yet will make some buzz when played at a concert or something.

For example, what  programme statement will make you more excited to go to a concert or a recital ( Beethoven - Sonata Op. 13 'Pathetique' or 'Moonlight' ) or (Beethoven - Sonata no.XX Op. XX)

I know that doesn't sound proper technical talk BUT i really think it is so important to take the audience into account as they are a very important aspect.

and one more thing,

Rather, start another longer Chopin piece, let's say a Scherzo (1 or 2, way easier than the Ballade, IMO)

After listening to the ballade and the scherzi, i think that the Ballade is way more technically less harder than both scherzi, but that doesn't mean that it is easy. But all of this is based on listening only. Scherzo 1 and 2 have fast leaps and runs that are only present in the presto part in the ballade. That's my opinion...

[vaiva]

hi,
if you still want to play very famous pieces and want to choose between Pathetique and Moonlight, take Pathetique, but remember, that everybody knows this piece very well (and the jury of your exam, or proffesional listeners in the concert). I guess you are not very old:) so think, that will you do later? Later (I hope) you will have more concerts, more people will come to listen to you and you will play not so known pieces? Don't understand me incorect, it's not bad at all to play not famous pieces, but i mean later you will better be able to show your musicality and technique and to make some buzz (as you say). Believe me, you'll find so many problems with these pieces...... and actually i think now it is not possible to you to play them and to make buzz for the audience...
but anyway it is good pieces for improving your self...
and ballades also...
i really suggest to take the 3rd ballade. it is a good way to start.
and Fantasie impromptu is also very useful.
Chopin etudes is always very good for technical and musical improvement. i don't know if you have ever played any of Chopin etudes, but if you want to start take the 13th or 9th, or 4th or 24th or 5th or 12th... but it's better to ask your teacher, she/he better knows your technical problems.

good luck!

[nanabush]

i think that the Ballade is way more technically less harder than both scherzi,

  Couldn't you just say the Ballades are less difficult technically?  lol