Contemporary repetoire suggestion

[klavierspielerin42]

I am looking for a contemporary piece to put on my program for my senior recital. I am looking something moderately challenging and not too long. This is what the rest of the program looks like...

Bach P&F in A Minor (Bk II WTC)
Beethoven Sonata Op. 31 No. 1
Liszt Rhapsodie Espagnole
Ravel Jeux D'eau

...you can see why I don't want something too long! Looking for more of an "encore" type piece more than anything else. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[quirky]

You could try one of Messiaen's Huit Preludes Pour Piano. Number 4 is moderately difficult but beautiful, though I am not sure if it is sufficiently difficult for your senior recital.

You could also try one of the easier etudes of Ligeti (though none are easy)such as No 4 Fanfares.

Also really worth looking into is Stravinsky. His Piano Rag Music is really worth playing, not too difficult and a really entertaining piece.

If the piece has to be by an actual living composer I would suggest Carter's Catenaires. It is a really exciting piece to listen to....

Another piece by a little known living composer, Marian Ingoldsby, is Red Shoes. It was commisioned for the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition a few years ago. It is really a beautiful piece and can be bought only from the Contemporary Music Centre in Ireland. There used to be an audio clip on www.cmc.ie but I can't find it anymore.

Hope that this is of some help!! 

Quirky

[ben.beck]

Another nice piece that isn't too long and could function as a "programmed encore" is Alberto Ginastera's Tres Danzas Argentinas.  It's three movements, but they are short.  The first two movements fit the hands well and aren't too hard to learn, but the second movement is GORGEOUS.  The last movement is more challenging and very flashy, and a great way to end a program.

[sharon_f]

Are you programming it as listed? (If so, it's rather strange not ending with the Liszt.) I'm assumming you have it programmed thus:

Bach
Beethoven
- Intermission-
Ravel
Liszt

Are you looking to put something between the Ravel and Liszt?

[nanabush]

Francois Morel has "Deux Etudes de Sonorite" -- Check out the second one on youtube, but good luck finding a snipit of the sheets without buying it    It's pretty short, with some pretty big contrast, but the rhythm is so cool.

Shchedrin has a piece called "Basso Ostinato" from a set of two polyphonic works.  Again check out a recording or video of this one.  Again not too long, but very cool.