Which Should I Start Off With?

[bballpianist]

Hey everyone, this is my first post on the boards.

I wanted to know if you could help me choose which of the following i should play first.

Waldesrauchen or Gnomenreigen

I plan on eventually learning both pieces, but if you could share your thoughts or any information on the pieces that would be helpful in choosing which one to play, it will be greatly appreciated. Right now I'm learning the prelude from Bach's English Suite No. 2, Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody no. 6, and Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso.

Oh, and if you could also suggest a piece by Ravel. My piano teacher wants me to play one by him.

Thanks

[thorn]

i dont know the Bach, but i think Waldesrauchen would be the best one to do with the other Liszt and the Mendelssohn as its more of a contrast.

with the Ravel, the other ones you have mentioned sound like a lot of work, so how about something lighter like Oiseaux Tristes or Vallee des Cloches from Miroirs?

[bballpianist]

thanks thorn, i'll check those out.

anyone else???

[bballpianist]

I'm probably gonna end up playing the Ravel and the new Liszt piece after I finish my current ones. If you have any other suggestions of Liszt or Ravel pieces feel free to post them.

anyone???

[slobone]

I like the Ravel Sonatine. It's not at the same technical level as some of the other pieces, but it's lovely, and by no means easy to play well.

[thorn]

would still go with Waldesrauchen. EVERYONE plays Gnomenreigen.

as for Ravel- the Sonatine is a good suggestion. or what about something from Tombeau? the Toccata is really fun to play if you have the patience to learn it properly.

[bballpianist]

does anyone have a recording of waldesrauchen on their computer? or a good recording of the piece? i've only heard this song performed once and don't remember much about it. it was a beutiful piece, though.

thanks

[thierry13]

One word. Youtube.

[bballpianist]

WOW! I can't believe I didn't think of that.