least enjoyable piece to play

[cziffra]

one you just wish you'd never done, never even known about it's existence.  is there a piece you simply can't derive any joy from at all?

for me it would have to be chopin's opus 25 no 4.  the day is yet to come when it doesn't sound like some wild beast is thumping the piano randomly

[eddie92099]

Bach in his entirety,
Ed

[bernhard]

Bach in his entirety,
Ed

So Ed, what are you going to do when Joanna requests that you bring all of the 48 memorised as your first assignment at the RCM? (She is crazy about the old wig...)

[chopiabin]

Bach bores me as well. Listening to it makes me want to die.

[steveolongfingers]

Bach in his entirety,
Ed

YAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why is it expected of us to learn this stuff?

[Rach3]

Bach in his entirety

[Noah]

If there was a mythology of Music, Bach would be Zeus.
I hate Liszt's Reminiscence de Don Giovanni. That piece makes me sick.

[liszmaninopin]

I have to join in the chorus here, too.  My teacher makes me learn Bach, but I'd swear I'd never touch another note of his music if I didn't need to for entering into a conservatory.

[eddie92099]

So Ed, what are you going to do when Joanna requests that you bring all of the 48 memorised as your first assignment at the RCM? (She is crazy about the old wig...)

Firstly, Joanna teaches at the RAM. Secondly, Joanna "teaches" at the RAM. I found out that she often goes on tour for months at a time, and only really take postgraduates. So no Joanna for me  ,
Ed

[liszmaninopin]

Unless you really love each one, what is the point of memorizing all 48 perfectly?  Come to think of it, why do people learn all 32 Beethoven Sonatas, all 24 Chopin Etudes, etc.?  It seems silly to learn a piece that one doesn't really enjoy just for the sake of saying that one can play all in the set.  For example, the only Chopin Etudes I ever intend to learn would be #3, 4, 6, 10, and 12 of op. 10; and #3, 4, 5, 10, and 12 of op. 25.  Those are the etudes I like, and I don't see the purpose behind putting effort into something like op. 10 #2 (please forgive me if that is somebody's favorite, I am just saying that I don't like it and don't plan on learning it).

[cziffra]

well, i must say i'm astonished at the opinions of bach- if you are at all interested in composition or a study of musical form and design, bach is, indispensibly, your man.  i have learnt so much from working through the 48 (relax, i've only done about 6) it's priceless-  

especially if you try this exercise- if you come across a passage you don't really understand, rewrite it.  after  multiple drafts you suddenly come to realise you can't rewrite, and it's impossible to better it, because everything that needs to be there is there, and if you change it you destroy the whole balance.  

bach teaches the principle of- point to random note, explain WHY that note is there.
learning liszt and rachmaninoff etc, the answer is usually "to stun the ladies" but with bach it's always crucial to the MUSICAL side of it.  every note has its place its purpose and its role in the large well planned carefully executed arc of design.

and the energy!  how could you want to die by listening to bach!? there's so much passion in it, so much energy.  have you heard gavriolv's french suite no 5, or gould's piano concerto (the one on the art of the piano) and pieces like the prelude and fugue 2 and 6 from the 48-

to me, bach is the most economic and yet at the same time effective craftsman.  

[dgk88]

my teacher has never MADE me learn Bach, I kinda like his music, however I have to say that Schumann's Scenes from Childhood or the Arabeske Op. 18 are up there on the list of pieces i wish I hadn't learned

[Noah]

however I have to say that Schumann's Scenes from Childhood

I love those pieces... Check out Argerich's recording. Especially those of you who think all she's got is an incredible technique. ( )

[eddie92099]

I love those pieces... Check out Argerich's recording. Especially those of you who think all she's got is an incredible technique. ( )

And while we're on the subject, check out her disc of Bach ,
Ed

[thracozaag]

And while we're on the subject, check out her disc of Bach ,
Ed

 Very true, her Bach is one of the few things I really enjoy hearing.

[xtopher]

i Agree with ed.. bach¡¡

[e60m5]

Wow.

I'm surprised by the attitude of many on this forum; most likely a bunch of teenagers who do not like playing Bach because they feel that they are above it - above the music of the greatest composer in the history of Western classicism.

It's all fine and good if you do not enjoy playing Bach, but that does not mean you must denigrate and disrespect the music to that degree.

I personally very much enjoy playing Bach; Bach is not virtuosicc, nor much use to impress your friends, but unless that is your primary focus with your music (which for some it admittedly is), then I see no need to treat Bach with absolute contempt.

Just my two cents.

Back on topic, one piece that I really do not like playing is the Mozart Sonata in D K.284.