Nearly finalised lunchtime recital (55 mins)

[simonjp90]

So far I have two big pieces:

 Grieg: Holberg suite (18 mins)

  and

 Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit (18 mins)
     or
 Prokofiev: sonata no 7, op. 83 (18 mins)

All I need now is some small pieces to fill the 20 minute gap

any recommendations for what would go well with those pieces? and which should i go for, ravel or prokofiev?

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! thanks

[daniloperusina]

Isaac Albéniz, from Suite Española?
It would give a nice contrasting flavour of sound and fit in well with the other pieces, I think..

[slow_concert_pianist]

So far I have two big pieces:

 Grieg: Holberg suite (18 mins)

  and

 Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit (18 mins)
     or
 Prokofiev: sonata no 7, op. 83 (18 mins)

All I need now is some small pieces to fill the 20 minute gap

any recommendations for what would go well with those pieces? and which should i go for, ravel or prokofiev?

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! thanks

Prokofiev 7 is over performed and a sonata that is rarely played well (1st movt). Even Argerich cannot do the first movement. Richter is quite nice, but grab a copy of Glenn Gould's recording. If you can't get close, I would advise you to scrap it. Lots play the 2nd & 3rd movements ok, but the 1st is the key. Personally I have the inflection, but not the stretch.

If you're looking for Chopin & something different, try Liadov's Variations on a Popular Polish Theme (10 minutes +/-) and a few of his preludes.

[simonjp90]

Prokofiev 7 is over performed and a sonata that is rarely played well (1st movt). Even Argerich cannot do the first movement. Richter is quite nice, but grab a copy of Glenn Gould's recording. If you can't get close, I would advise you to scrap it. Lots play the 2nd & 3rd movements ok, but the 1st is the key. Personally I have the inflection, but not the stretch.

If you're looking for Chopin & something different, try Liadov's Variations on a Popular Polish Theme (10 minutes +/-) and a few of his preludes.

ah really glenn gould??? i really cant stand him. i have that actual cd with him playing prokofiev 7 & also scriabin 5, i reckon he plays both pieces pretty badly.

for me the definitive prok 7 is Pollini, can't see that changing for a long time!

[kitty on the keys]

Brahms     Intermezzos--any of the opus would do nicely
Debussy   Estampes or preludes
Ravel       Pavane or valse nobles
Chopin     Preludes, Nocturnes, Waltzes....a small selection of each as a set
Turina     Danzas Gitanes


Kitty on the Keys

[edwardweiss]

Holberg Suite-excellent choice!  Piano version not done very often these days. I would go with the Ravel for the reasons others have given-but remember that the Ravel is transcendentally difficult too. Brahms is a very good suggestion also-how about the Four Ballades op.10?

[simonjp90]

Thanks! holberg suite is such a great piece. I like the opus 10 ballades but probably not enough to play them convincingly!

so far i have pencilled in:

1. A Bach Prelude & fugue
2. A Shostakovich prelude & fugue that goes well with the bach

3. Grieg - holberg suite

4. Haydn - f minor variations

5. Ravel - Gaspard de la nuit

6. Grainger - Now, oh now I needs must part (Downland)
                  Hornpipe from water music (Handel)


Encores (Just in case!)

Liszt - la chasse
or
R-korsakov - flight of the bumble bee (rach arrangement)


Everything except the grieg and ravel is still just ideas... some feedback on this programme would be helpful!

[slow_concert_pianist]

ah really glenn gould??? i really cant stand him. i have that actual cd with him playing prokofiev 7 & also scriabin 5, i reckon he plays both pieces pretty badly.

for me the definitive prok 7 is Pollini, can't see that changing for a long time!

LOL I suggest you relisten. Gould makes Pollini sound like an alsorand. When you grow up, you will appreciate the difference

[edwardweiss]

I really like the look of this program-particularly now it contains the Grainger items. I once conducted the first part of Handel's Messiah and then played the Hornpipe as an encore! I have never worked out whether the applause afterwards was for me, the orchestra or the choral society. I dare say some of the stuffed-shirts present disapproved-but music is music, I suppose.

[slow_concert_pianist]

I really like the look of this program-particularly now it contains the Grainger items. I once conducted the first part of Handel's Messiah and then played the Hornpipe as an encore! I have never worked out whether the applause afterwards was for me, the orchestra or the choral society. I dare say some of the stuffed-shirts present disapproved-but music is music, I suppose.

I am with you all the way. I have a CD with Leslie howard performing (part 2) of the complete works of Grainger and nothing else on that composer. However, a word of warning!!!!! Grainger seems to appreiate the middle tone leading to extremities (going on Howards interpretations). He is the salon pianist's utopial choice, but dynamic brilliance can be impelled at the extremities to ensure the listener is serenaded.

[simonjp90]

LOL I suggest you relisten. Gould makes Pollini sound like an alsorand. When you grow up, you will appreciate the difference

I have relistened, and you were totally right, i now appreciate the HUGE difference in standard between pollini's prok 7 and gould's.