Romantic piece suggestions

[c0nfused]

Hi everyboy,
   
I am currently trying to decide on a program for some examination that I have at May. I have to play various pieces and I am not sure what romantic piece to play. Till now (just to get an idea of the program), it's certain that I will play Beethoven's Appassionata(complete) , Scriabin's No12-Op.8 Etude, a Chopin Etude (No6 or 8 from Op.25), a Bach Prelude&Fugue (I am not sure which one), and I have to choose one romantic piece that's up to 8-9 minutes.

I am thinking of Chopin Ballade No1 or 2, but I would like something that's not very over-played+ I play Chopin all the time, so I am not sure if it's the right choice... You know, I want some variety, so Liszt (a Hungarian Rhapsody maybe) ,Schumann and Rachmaninov(Moment-musicaux?) have crossed my mind. Do you have any ideas of any not very difficult romantic piece that's nice and cool to practice/play?? ( I mention "not very difficult" because already the program is difficult for me- this is actually my first attempt for really big and difficult pieces (Appasionata- Scriabin))

That's all. Thanks

[dnephi]

Brahms Op. 118 No. 2 Intermezzo in A 

[mofo]

you can try with schumann's arabeske opus 18. it's really beautiful. my version is 6 minutes long...maybe quite short, i don't know.
well bye.

[dave santino]

Horowitz transription of Liszt's Rakoczy March would go down well, my Prof played it at a concert last year and it went down a storm. Also, could try some Ravel, Jeux D'eau maybe.

[burstroman]

Schubert, Impromptu, b-flat major, Op.142.

[nanabush]

If you're counting Rachmaninoff as romantic, then I'd have a look at his Prelude in B minor Op 32. 

For hungarian Rhapsodies, I can't help but suggest #6... it's overplayed, but it just kicks so much a**.  If you're comfortable w/ octaves...

What about one of the Legendes by Liszt?  I think there's too... one is about someone walking on water, and the other has to do with birds... I really know nothing about them, but I've heard them both before and they are stunning.

Brahms Rhapsody in B minor?

[mike_lang]

Why not a Chopin scherzo?

[c0nfused]

First of all thanks for your suggestions.

I am not aware of all the pieces that you have suggested, but from the ones i know the Schumann Arabesque doesn't really appeal to me, Brahms Intermezzo sounds quite nice but I would like something more "interesting" (don't get me wrong, I don't want to say that it's not a nice piece, but i would like something with more "variety"), although I think that it would fit quite well in the program between Scriabin and Beethoven.

As for Rachmaninov, I am not sure if he's considered romantic, and I have to clear this out, but yes, a prelude would be a good idea. I generally love Rachmaninov so anything would be good for me, and the B minor is really nice.

And then comes Liszt with his Hungarian Rhapsodies. I haven't heard all of them but if I decide on one it will be the 2nd or the 15-Rakoczy March that dave santino suggested, although i think it's above my level.

As for Chopin Scherzos I have listened the first three and i like really much the 1st one, but it's quite big, and as I have already mentioned, I prefer not to play Chopin.

To sum up, I am thinking of playing Liszt's HR 2 or 15 or a Rachmaninov prelude, but I think that the HR would be quite a risk as they are technically demanding and really difficult musically. Anyway, what do you think would fit best in the program from the 3 pieces i mention above?

[dnephi]

You need something that isn't pure pyrotechnics like everything else on your program.  I suggest Brahms once more, see the 3rd version of the canon.  Other than that, you might want Kinderszenen.  I don't suggest the HRs or Rachmaninoff preludes.

[donjuan]

I recommend Liszt's "Les Jeau d'eau ala Villa d'Este" - it is not overplayed, but played enough to be recognized.  I played it myself, and I can tell you it is a fun piece to practice and perform.  It is one of the few pieces where bad nerves don't matter.

[thierry13]

As for Chopin Scherzos I have listened the first three and i like really much the 1st one, but it's quite big, and as I have already mentioned, I prefer not to play Chopin.

You should listen to the fourth one. I think it's the best.

[c0nfused]

You need something that isn't pure pyrotechnics like everything else on your program.  I suggest Brahms once more, see the 3rd version of the canon.  Other than that, you might want Kinderszenen.  I don't suggest the HRs or Rachmaninoff preludes.

You are probably right at your point and i have thought this myself, but i am in a phase now that i listen to much music that you could call "pyrotechnics", so that partially explains my choices. But, i definitely should keep a balance so maybe Liszt's HR are too much in this program. However, i think that some Rach preludes might fit in well. Anyway, I will think again about Brahms+ i haven't never played any Brahms so it will be interesting. As for Schumann, I will listen Kinderszenen again because i haven't listened to it for a LONG time and then i will decide. Also, i will listen to the three years of pilgrimage by Liszt that I just bought, to see if i can find anything interesting. Still, Rachmaninov and Liszt are my top priorities....

[dnephi]

You are probably right at your point and i have thought this myself, but i am in a phase now that i listen to much music that you could call "pyrotechnics", so that partially explains my choices. But, i definitely should keep a balance so maybe Liszt's HR are too much in this program. However, i think that some Rach preludes might fit in well. Anyway, I will think again about Brahms+ i haven't never played any Brahms so it will be interesting. As for Schumann, I will listen Kinderszenen again because i haven't listened to it for a LONG time and then i will decide. Also, i will listen to the three years of pilgrimage by Liszt that I just bought, to see if i can find anything interesting. Still, Rachmaninov and Liszt are my top priorities....

Spoken like a true zpeed demon  ?