Suggestions for encore pieces

[jlh]

I thought I'd pick your brains for a bit about encore pieces.  We all know some of the much-used faster encore selections but I thought we could talk about little-known slower works that would make good encores. 

I'm thinking works that are more introspective and simple that under the hands of a good pianist would be pure gold to the audience's ears.  Something they've maybe never heard before.  Something obviously short because it's an encore...

As an example, how about Ravel's Menuet on the name of Haydn?

I won't restrict it to any time period or any particular style, so please feel free to go to the back of your repertoire and pick out some things you maybe wouldn't think of programming in a recital but would make good encores.

[webern78]

My picks:

Mozart: Rondo in D

Chopin: Berceuse in Db

 

[sharon_f]

Bach/Kempff "Siciliano"
Gluck/Sgambatti "Melodie from Orfeo"

REVISED: I guess I didn't read the original post carefully enough. The Gluck is very well known as an encore.

[pmz310]

chopin prelude no 16

[allthumbs]

Schumann - Trδumerei

[dnephi]

Schumann - Trδumerei

chopin prelude no 16

I don't know if you guys noticed, but those are very mainstream.  On that note, though, I will recommend "The Snow is Dancing" from Debussy's Children's Corner, Sciarrino's Anamorfosi (A hilarious parody of Jeux d'Eau), and Scriabin Etude 8/12b.  Poeme tragique would also fit the bill.

[mephisto]

Have you heard Poulenc's 3rd intermezzo? I guess it isn't that easy (i haven't played it), but it is beautifull, quite slow and underperformed. Hamelin plays it.

[dnephi]

I don't know if you guys noticed, but those are very mainstream.  On that note, though, I will recommend "The Snow is Dancing" from Debussy's Children's Corner, Sciarrino's Anamorfosi (A hilarious parody of Jeux d'Eau), and Scriabin Etude 8/12b.  Poeme tragique would also fit the bill.

Looks like I didn't read carefully, either.  The Scriabin wouldn't fit.  I also really like Schubert Impromptu, Op. 142 No. 2, in A-flat and the Moment Musical #6 in A-flat.

[welltemperedpianist]

Hey --
I actually made the same thread about encore a few months ago, you should look for it.
Maybe Gershwin's 3 Preludes?? (Or one of the 3 preludes?)

[jlh]

Hey --
I actually made the same thread about encore a few months ago, you should look for it.
Maybe Gershwin's 3 Preludes?? (Or one of the 3 preludes?)

Oh really?  Where? 

[thierry13]

Bach-Siloti prelude in B minor!

[a-sharp]

Moszcowski Etude op. 72 no. 6

[welltemperedpianist]

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,28328.0.html

[jlh]

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,28328.0.html

1) That thread is not as specific as this topic.  The topic here is little-known quiet encores.

2) You said YOU made the other thread, which clearly you didn't - you didn't even post a reply on the other one.   

Cheers,
Josh

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Alkan: La chanson de la folle au bord de la mer

[thierry13]

Alkan: La chanson de la folle au bord de la mer

Hahaha, do you know what that means? "The song of the crazy woman at the seaside"... Funny title

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Hahaha, do you know what that means? "The song of the crazy woman at the seaside"... Funny title

Song of the mad woman on the seashore is a better translation - it's a a slightly peculiar piece, too.

[faulty_damper]

I thought I'd pick your brains for a bit about encore pieces.  We all know some of the much-used faster encore selections but I thought we could talk about little-known slower works that would make good encores. 

I'm thinking works that are more introspective and simple that under the hands of a good pianist would be pure gold to the audience's ears.  Something they've maybe never heard before.  Something obviously short because it's an encore...

As an example, how about Ravel's Menuet on the name of Haydn?

I won't restrict it to any time period or any particular style, so please feel free to go to the back of your repertoire and pick out some things you maybe wouldn't think of programming in a recital but would make good encores.

The choice of an encore should be decided by what you just finished performing; it's not an isolated piece to be cast off to the audience like tossing  quarter at a bum.

A good encore helps to frame the previous musical material.  A poor one will detract from it.

It's like a dessert: a good one helps to finish a meal.  A poor one will leave a bad taste in your mouth.

[a-sharp]

jlh - forgive me - I missed the "slower works" request.

I once saw Martha Argerich - she played prokofiev with the Verbier (sp?) orchestra... (it was (they were) fabulous) ...

She played a Scarlatti sonata (the one with the super fast repeated notes - sorry, don't remember which one), and then, Schumann, Of Foreign Lands & People... that was cute. U could play that.

[jlh]

The choice of an encore should be decided by what you just finished performing; it's not an isolated piece to be cast off to the audience like tossing  quarter at a bum.

A good encore helps to frame the previous musical material.  A poor one will detract from it.

It's like a dessert: a good one helps to finish a meal.  A poor one will leave a bad taste in your mouth.

True, but it doesn't hurt to gather information about certain types of encores from which to choose for yourself.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

The Alkan Esquisses might well be worth looking into; there are many short pieces in there, some of which are quirky, some of which are reallly rather charming.

At the risk of being biased towards one of my own repertoire pieces, also Thalberg's transcription of Casta diva (perhaps it's a little long at c. 6 mins). Although his posthumous reputation is none too good, this is easily one of his best transcriptions; it is a very fine arrangement.

[welltemperedpianist]

Haha... my bad about that post. I actually did make the other thread on my other account.

Hey you go to ASU?? Who do you study with??

[slobone]

Mozart A minor Fantasia -- or is that too long?

[nanabush]

Debussy etudes are pretty unknown (in comparison to the overdone Chopin/Liszt/Rach etudes)... the etude for 4 fingers is short and sweet, and left an impression on me when I heard it.

Or you can play:  Chopin FI, Claire de Lune or Fur Elise... those seem pretty unknown and underplayed IMO 

[jlh]

Haha... my bad about that post. I actually did make the other thread on my other account.

Hey you go to ASU?? Who do you study with??

Hey no problem... I had no idea you owned that account as well...