Good program opener

[amanfang]

I'm looking for a good program opener.  Something short (3-5 min), preferably in a major key, something beautiful, light.  Something that says "Thank you for coming to my program; I hope you enjoy it."  Ideally, something not as played as often, but that's not necessary. 

[pianistimo]

i hate to say bach - but it's screaming out at me.  didn't mendelssohn bring bach back to life as program music.  what was mendelssohn's favorite bach piece?

take a look here:

https://athome.harvard.edu/programs/wolff/wolff_video/pages/wolff_printview2.asp

[pianistimo]

is bach's toccata in F major only for organ?  or could it be played on piano?

ah.  eugene d'albert transcribed it for piano.  www.bencostello.com/pages/bachtranscription_solo.html

also, there is breitkopf's edition of busoni's transcription of the toccata in C major (BWV 564) 

agreed. these may not be 10 minutes.  but, whose counting?  and, unfortunately it is not 'light' but is very audience catching!

now, if you wanted the italian concerto - everyone would simply fall asleep.

[pianistimo]

i've played the 3rd english suite of bach's.  it is light.  but, has a very interesting little fugue at the end.  enough to kill a person.

[pianistimo]

dear amanfang,

one last thought.  just as a sort of wierd suggestion.  because you are playing prokofiev's sarcasms - i thought 'what if...'  what if you played liszt's transcription of the prelude and fugue in C major (6 pages).  liszt and mendelssohn aren't often played together - but could be tied together via bach.  susan

[bench warmer]

Here's a few choices for consideration:

 1. Chopin---- Op25.9  Allegro Vivace---(Butterfly Etude)

 2. Debussy------ Golliwogg's Cakewalk

 3. Liszt---- Preludio (Etude 1) of the T.E.'s

[amanfang]

Thank you for your suggestions.

For some reason, Bach was also my thought.  HOWEVER, Bach is hard to pull off well from memory under pressure.  Bach is hard to pull of well without the pressure.  But anyway...  I may still consider a P&F.  I may also look at the chorale preludes.  The toccatas are too long. 

I will also take a look at the Liszt and Chopin.  I have played the Debussy before, and I don't think it really fits the program.  I really would prefer something not quite as well known.

Any other suggestions?

[dnephi]

Kinderszenen would be a personal choice. It's a bit long, so choose what you like .

[burstroman]

This is maybe trite, unexpected, and "very" non-virtuosic" (sic),  but what about Myra Hess's transcription of Bach's "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring"?  So restful, unpretentious, and it would be a gracious invitation to the rest.

[dbrainiak914]

Schumann Romance Op. 28 No. 2

I opened my recital with it.  It really set the atmosphere for the rest of the recital.

[sharon_f]

How about one or a couple of Scarlatti Sonatas.

[kitty on the keys]

I agree with the Schumann Romance # 2, 0r some Brahms---Intermeitzzi--, or a Faure Nocturne.

Kitty

[dnephi]

I agree with the Schumann Romance # 2, 0r some Brahms---Intermeitzzi--, or a Faure Nocturne.

Kitty

Brahms Intermezzo Op. 118 No. 2 was very popular at the 2001 Van Cliburn.  It's one of my favorite late Brahms.

[amanfang]

I like the Schumann Romance a lot.  I will look at the Faure nocturnes when I get a chance. 

[kelly_kelly]

Debussy Arabesques (one or both)
Chopin 10-5
edit- or 10-11, 25-1

[mofo]

i think "préambule" from schumann's carnaval opus 9 is very good.
kinderszenen are quite long (between 15 and 20 minutes). besides, they're quite depressing, don't you think? 
well that's it. bye.

[etudes]

first 2 of Lizst TEs  to warm the audience up for the whole concert 

[dnephi]

Chopin Op. 28 Preludes  (it's all in prelude)

[Kassaa]

Bach French Suite No. 5! It is so beautiful, light and it is really inviting . Otherwise, if you don't like to play Bach in front of an audience, a Haydn sonata. There are plenty to choose from.

[burstroman]

Bach, P&F in Dmajor from WTC, Vol. 1.

[nanabush]

Italian Concerto, 1st movement... not sure how you feel about playing one mvmt of a piece, but this one is excellent for opening.  It's got a nice F major chord opening, and it's just a positive piece overall... no crazy emo parts or super slow sections... It's about 4 minutes long, and I think it would be perfect