Centenary Recital

[simonjp90]

I've been asked to do a 50 minute concert including works by Chopin, Schumann & Barber (For obvious reasons) (hopefully)

Any suggestions to how I could fit them in & which pieces would go well with them if needed?

not too much schumann please...

thanks!

[communist]

I would avoid doing an all-Barber 2nd half (it could get a little heavy), so I think in the 2nd half you should do Schumann Papillions or Waldszenen and the Barber sonata. In the first half I think you should begin with one of the sonatas, and after that maybe some smaller pieces and a larger work
(like a scherzo).

[simonjp90]

its just 50 minutes so no interval

[communist]

Barber Excursioin
Schumann Papillions
Chopin sonata no.3

[simonjp90]

nice

[simonjp90]

Schumann Papillions

just had a listen to this, its pretty sh*t... are there any good schumann pieces? im struggling to find some. the best ive come up with are

variations on a theme of robert schumann - preferably by a different composer

[communist]

What is wrong with Papillions?

Anyway, Brahms had a very good set of variations on a theme by Schumann.

[retrouvailles]

Now I am not the biggest Schumann fan, but I also happen to agree that Papillons is not one of his better works. I would suggest the Symphonic Etudes or Carnaval as better alternatives.

[simonjp90]

What is wrong with Papillions?

Anyway, Brahms had a very good set of variations on a theme by Schumann.

i just find it quite boring and not really good music.

love the brahms though!

I was thinking


Chopin - 4th ballade
C. Schumann - Variations on a theme of R Schumann
and
Barber - sonata

[communist]

Pretty cool, but maybe instead of the 4th ballade you could do something that constrasts a little more with the Brahms & Barber. Perhaps the 4th scherzo or the introduction & rondo.

[john11inc]

Anyway, Brahms had a very good set of variations on a theme by Schumann.

That might be asking a bit much.  I doubt he could learn more than half of the piece. [EDIT: hah.  I forgot about the Op. 9; that would have been a supremely witty remark had you accidentally tacked Op. 23 on there.  Either way, the Brahms Op. 9 Variations are utter garbage, and you defile humanity by even mentioning them as anything other than such]


Uh, no.  Schumann didn't really write anything worth listening to.  Fantasiestucke Op. 12 is comparatively decent, the Op. 13 is alright although it's a huge work, so if you don't like Schumann I can't see you wanting to dedicate that amount of time to it.  Just suck it up and play the Toccata Op. 7; it's bearable just because it's so flashy, and it's only 6 minutes long or so.  If you just HAVE to play a major work, I'd say the Op. 12 is your best choice, or the Waldszenen, since it's pretty easy.  The ABEGG Variations are tolerable just because they're so... un-Schumann-like.  Another possibility for you if you dislike Schumann.  The ABEGG Variations are a bit... underwhelming, however.  So, I'd suggest:


Chopin Ballade No. 1 Op. 23
Chopin Barcarolle Op. 60
Chopin Two selected Etudes
Barber: Sonata Op. 26 (You're aware of how difficult this piece is, right?)
Schumann: Toccata Op. 7 or ABEGG Variations Op. 1

------------------------------------

Schumann: Toccata Op. 7 or ABEGG Variations Op. 1
Barber Nocturne
Chopin Preludes Op. 28 or Sonata No. 2 or Sonata No. 3

------------------------------------

Chopin Fantasy Op. 49 or Scherzo No. 4
Barber Sonata Op. 26
Schumann Fantasiestucke Op. 12

[communist]

I agree that op.9 is immature Brahms, but what is so bad about that if I do not say it is utter garbage then "defile humanity"?

Barber: Sonata Op. 26 (You're aware of how difficult this piece is, right?)

Yes I am aware of how difficult this piece is (Were you asking me?)

I like your 2nd program BTW