Over Played Pieces??

[shortyshort]

I have read a lot of posts on this forum that state that certain pieces are "over played".
I was even told when I first came here that all the pieces I have learned are overplayed.

Surely the reason so many people want to play them is that they are good

Why are some people against these pieces, and insist that others should learn "under played" pieces

Shorty

[cloches_de_geneve]

First, anybody will stumble upon a Schubert Impromptu or a Chopin Nocture sooner or later. In contrast, it testifies to a person's intelligence and curiosity to be able to dig out beautiful pieces that are generally unknown.

Second, the better known a piece is the higher the expectations. This is why I would never put a moonlight or appassionata on a recital program. You will most certainly be judged less severely if you pick a piece that is rarely played.

[phil13]

I think that generally an overplayed piece is one that is played so badly by so many amateurs that classical music fans begin to dislike hearing it. A couple of examples:

Beethoven: Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata, Pathetique Sonata, Appassionata Sonata

Chopin: Nocturne Op.9 No.2 in Eb

Phil

[nicco]

I think that generally an overplayed piece is one that is played so badly by so many amateurs that classical music fans begin to dislike hearing it. A couple of examples:

Beethoven: Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata, Pathetique Sonata, Appassionata Sonata

Chopin: Nocturne Op.9 No.2 in Eb

Phil

I cant say ive heard so many amateurs destroy the appasionata. Its too hard for most amateurs i think.

[dnephi]

I cant say ive heard so many amateurs destroy the appasionata. Its too hard for most amateurs i think.

I'd say that's correct, but anyone attempting it would have to work very hard to overcome people's favorite recordings.

[chopiabin]

I think there's a difference between "overplayed" and "commonly played" - I'd rather hear ten individual performances of the Waldstein than one of the  Fant Imp

[cygnusdei]

I was once told that for masterclasses you will benefit by playing 'standard' repertoire. I think it makes sense because chances are for obscure pieces, your own interpretation would be as good as any. However, it bugs me that sonata requirements for auditions are limited to mozart, haydn, beethoven, or schubert.

[pies]

You shouldn't worry about whether the pieces you're learning are over- or under-played.  Just play what you like.

[sevencircles]

You shouldn't worry about whether the pieces you're learning are over- or under-played.  Just play what you like.

Exactly

If you feel you have something new to say with your interpretation, then play it anyway.

Pathetique is a work that you can play in countless different ways and everyone of them could be great.

[alkemist]

Even while being a really mediocre pianist, I enjoy the challenge of playing over-played pieces.  I just make it my mission to play them better than anybody else who has played them.  Come to think of it, most of the favorite pieces of my repertoire are 'over-played': The Moonlight, Scriabins Etude op.8 No.12, the Rachmaninov c# prelude..

[shortyshort]

Thanks for all the replies.

It seems to me that some people play under-played or obscure pieces, so no-one will notice if they make a mistake.

I just enjoy playing what I enjoy listening to.

Shorty

[phil13]

Thanks for all the replies.

It seems to me that some people play under-played or obscure pieces, so no-one will notice if they make a mistake.

I just enjoy playing what I enjoy listening to.

Shorty

I like listening to obscure music. I also enjoy hearing good versions of overplayed pieces now and then.

I believe when you learn stuff, it has to be a mix. You can't just play all the favorites- obscure pieces enrich your musical experience and add interest to your repertoire. At the same time, you cannot play just obscure pieces because your audience has to sometimes hear something they can recognize.

This is why I vouch for learning both, and also for mixing the obscure and the better known when preparing a recital program.

Phil

[allthumbs]

I think that generally an overplayed piece is one that is played so badly by so many amateurs that classical music fans begin to dislike hearing it. A couple of examples:

Beethoven: Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata, Pathetique Sonata, Appassionata Sonata

Chopin: Nocturne Op.9 No.2 in Eb

Phil

Dang....you just listed my entire repertoire.

[faj]

Hahaha ....
I also played that all 

[rhapsody in orange]

Ah well I guess for obscure pieces it can be refreshing to listen to at times since you don't know what to expect =)

[alwaystheangel]

Phil, you forgot Pachebel's canon

Ugh!

[thalbergmad]

There is much beauty to be found away from very popular pieces, but sometimes it is an effort to find it.

I too have played Fur Elise, Moonlight & Fantasy Impromptu, but i would never bother again.

For me, it is exciting playing a piece that has possibly never been recorded and very rarely played.

To boldly go where no man has gone before

Thal

[nightingale11]

----

[elevateme]

ARGJH SATIE GYMNOPEDIE NO. 1!!! makes me want to shoot myself

[phil13]

Phil, you forgot Pachebel's canon

Ugh!

true 

When I was still in high school, our orchestra would play that piece on repeat for the homecoming assembly. Imagine hearing it overe...and over...and over...for an hour and a half.

I only went to the first one, skipped the rest to spare myself the pain.

Phil

[alwaystheangel]

I know. it's just horrendous.  and now that Canon in D is THE piece to play when walking down the aisle.  God save us.  My mother has played at a few wedings (I'm the page turner, pretty challenging job, I know ) and all of them wanted Pachebel's canon.  I have page turned at other weddings and they too played pachebel's canon.  It's like just shoot me now so I no longer have to suffer the pain of that piece.  I mean my mother practices the *** thing for at least a year every freaking day.  I seriously HATE that piece.

All the non musician types just love it.  I sit down and they ask one of three things:
1"can you play fur elise"
2"can you play moonlight sonata"
3"CAn you play that wedding song"

HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[alzado]

There are many versions of Pachelbel's Canon in D.  It was not written for piano, so all piano solo versions are transcriptions or arrangements.  Some are better than others, some are more interesting than others.  It is dangerous to just pop off oversimplifications here. 

I liked the one posting above, where a person indicated that finding pieces outside the beaten track requires a little effort and research;  this willingness to make an effort speaks well of a serious interest in music. 

I play both commonly heard pieces and some rather uncommon pieces.  I also take a vacation from classical for a few weeks a year and go over to jazz or "old standards."  It helps sustain my interest.

[elevateme]

i reckon liebestraume 3 is overplayed.