Help with repertoire...

[Barbosa-piano]

This would probably fit better under student's corner... Anyway... Hello all again... Being self taught, I had my first piano lesson yesterday, and everything went great. The teacher said I can work on anything I wish, in any level, and she will help me on it as long as needed. So, here is my question...

Which pieces would you suggest me to learn and add to my repertoire?
I played the Prelude in G minor Op. 23 No.5 (Rachmaninoff), and I had not played it in a while. We are going over it again, solving minimal technical problems, and we started Bach's Prelude and Fuge in C minor, Book 1 (Not so hard). I am supposed to work on those for the week. I am guessing that my next pieces will probably be one Chopin's Etudes, Mephisto Waltz, etc...

If anyone could give me any advise, I would be more than thankful...
Fraternally,
Mario Barbosa 

[ako]

I guess it's really up to you. My teacher also lets me play whatever I want provided the pieces are not one that she won't teach or hates. She's funny that way. Anyhow, back to your question. I usually choose whatever I heard on the classical station or on CDs that I borrow from the library that I found interesting. I then look for the music from the library to see if it's something that I will enjoy practising. If so, it becomes part of my repertoire. If I am totally out of ideas, then I ask my teacher to suggest a couple of pieces for me to choose from. Your teacher can be a good source if you have developed a relationship since she knows you and your playing well. At the moment, Beethoven Op. 90 sonata and his variations on "nel cor piu non mi sento" interest me. So I'll be working on those after I'm done with my current piece CHopin Nocturne Op. 27 no.2. Good luck and have fun!

[6ft 4]

Chopin op.10 no. 12 (the greatest etude there is) or op.10 no.5
Mendelssohn "Rondo Capriccioso" op.14
Ravel "Jeux d'eau"
Mozart KV 284 in D major


Try the Bernhard method on these. In other words practice them up to speed, in very very small sections. Takes discipline but its worth it.

[alzado]

Just a suggestion -- you might want to select something that everyone on earth has not played one million times.

If you don't feel that way now, given a few years, there's a good chance you will feel that way.

You might consider Myra Hess's version of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."  Although I am contradicting myself, because that is played a lot.

I have been playing Edward MacDowell.  He wrote a lot of material for solo piano.

Some of the selections you see mentioned here all the time-- they are just played to DEATH.   

If I see another question on Fantasie Impromptu I think I will scream.

Good luck to you in your endeavors -- you seem to be doing great!

[Barbosa-piano]

 Thanks everyone for the replies! Yes, I think I will try to divide the pieces between often/rarely played.

 I don't know why, but of all the pieces, one of the ones that attract me the most, is Hummel's Rondo in E flat major. It is a very sparkling piece, and not played that often... But I would also like to go for a challenge... La Campanella- I can't stand seeing that word on the forum anymore- But this is still a great piece... I will also look for works by Edward McDowell, he is now neglected by many people, but his music is great. Mendelsohn's Rondo Capriccioso sounds like a good choice too.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Mario Barbosa 

[thierry13]

Why not a Liszt TE? They ask bravura and stamina, and are simply wonderfull! They are not all challenges tough, but the ones that are challenges... if you want a challenge, go for feux-follet or chasse-neige. The last one may not sound hard, but it is a real pregnant dog. THE challenge, amazing piece, would be islamey ! If you think you can tackle La Campanella I think you can tackle it. It sure is harder but still. Islamey is sooo good. So fun to play, so full of energy and power, love it 

[jehangircama]

If you want a big piece, try the Liszt rigoletto paraphrase transcription or his B minor sonata. otherwise go through a set of pieces like, say, the Brahms intermezzi or the Chopin nocturnes.

[thierry13]

If you want a big piece, try the Liszt rigoletto paraphrase transcription or his B minor sonata.

Liszt rigoletto is not a "big piece". It's a good encore, but it is nowhere as big as the B minor sonata.