reasonably short, fun pieces

[liszmaninopin]

All of a sudden, I feel like I would like to learn something new.  I have been bogged down recently learning long sonatas.  Can anybody suggest any pieces that are under about 10 minutes, fun to play, and impressive?  I was kind of thinking the Khachurtian (is that how you spell it?) toccata.  Also I was thinking Prokofiev's Toccata op. 11.

[eddie92099]

The Khatchaturian Toccata is easy. The Prokofiev Toccata is not. They are both good pieces though,
Ed

[pianomaestro88]

If it's just for fun try the Bartok Mikrokosmos, quite easy and I'm told that they are really nice. Sadly, I haven't the desire to try them--for some reason they do not appeal to me. Ah well! Also look at some Rachmaninoff Preludes Op 32(?); quite short, a little challenging and a lot of fun. There are also a few Kabelevsky Preludes that I enjoy; the opus number eludes me at the moment.

[Hmoll]

Try reading through the Mendelssohn "songs without Words."
These pieces are not played enough.

[frederic]

If you happen to find the music, try Moszkowski's Caprice Espagnol, a nice contrast to the hackneyed (well, by Horowitz anyway) Etincelles.
MacDowell's Hexantanz is quite fun too. There is also the version with an orchestra.
I am learning the Moszkowski now but im concentrating more on some "REAL" repertoire. It is not easy.

[e60m5]

The Chopin Berceuse Op.57 is a great little piece and easy to learn.

Another great Chopin piece under 10 minutes is the Introduction and Rondo in E flat major, although I suspect it's rather harder than the Berceuse to learn.

[Dave_2004_G]

Well the notes of the berceuse are easy to learn but playing it well is a completely different story

Dave

[meiting]

Ok.. best show off pieces under 10 minutes (most of thesee are under 5 minutes and are not that easy.. though some are easier than others)

Moscowski Etincelles and a couple of his etudes.
Mendelssohn/Rachmaninoff Midsummer's - Scherzo
Sousa/Horowitz Stars and Stripes 4ever. lotta fun.
Liszt Gnomenreigen
Liszt Feuz Follets

hrm. sounds like my encore list lol

Schumann Toccata's awesome
As is his Arabeske.
Or one of his fantasiestucke
Mendelssohn songs without words have been mentioned..
Rachmaninoff preludes, especially Op. 23 Nos. 2, 5, 7, 8, 9.
Grieg Lyrical pieces. Really awesome works. Wedding day at Troldhaugen (can't remember spelling)'s absolutely my favorite.
Don't forget Albeniz's works. Trianna, El Puerto, El Rondena, and Navarra are some of the more popular ones.
If you need more suggestions let me know.

[DAwud7]

Well There is the spanish dances by Enrique Granados, i am not sure of thier difficulty though. Also i luv bocetos which means sketches which is also a beautifull piece and short. i Like Cecile Chaminades opus 32 guitarre short and great and also her caprice espanol La MORENA. Also Mozikowski's set of spanish dances. Also check out Russian piano music Arensky has a set of preludes i like opus 63 and also Blumenfelds opus 17, again not sure on the difficulties of these either.

[trunks]

Hey try some of these fun pieces:

CHOPIN
Waltz in Db, Op.64 No.1 (minute waltz / waltz of the dog)

BARTOK
From the Diary of a Fly (from Microkosmos)

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV/RACHMANINOV
Flight of the Bumble-bee

[Shagdac]

These are both lots of fun and pretty easy....

Gottschalk's "Le Banjo"
Mozart's  "Au! Vous Dirai-je, Maman"
                (12 variations)....just fun!
If you don't repeat each variation as written it will run approx 12 minutes (I think). If played straight thru 1/2 that time.

Shag

[anda]

granados is a pretty good idea, also mozart (played with all rehearsal signs is still under 10 min - personal experience).

also, try debussy - anything from estampes, suite bergamasque, images or some of the preludes - don't know about you, but i always enjoy playing debussy.

also, liszt - one of the saints (talking to the birds or walking on water) are reasonably difficult technically (much easier than most of his works) and wonderful.