advice for a short recital

[amateurguy]

As the name implies, I am an amateur pianist. Earlier this year I bought a brand new Steinway B. I have a number of friends and family who are asking to come over and see it, and more importantly, hear it. I would like to prepare a 20 to 30 minute recital, and I thought maybe I could get some thoughts on this forum. My repertoire is limited, but growing. I play most of the Chopin Nocturnes, all of the Schubert Impromptus except the last one in the second opus, all of the Schubert moments musicaux, the first 3 movements of Schubert G major sonata, the second of the 3 Klavierstucke, a couple of the more popular Rachmaninoff preludes, and a few Mendelssohn songs without words. I also play a little Beethoven, Bach, Morzart, etc, but mostly stick with Chopin and Schubert, and within the Chopin, I stick with Nocturnes, preludes, and waltzes. My daughter also made me learn Debussy Clair de Lune, not that I don't like it, it's just that I usually stay away from pieces that are way too popular. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.  Jeff.

[stevebob]

Your choices should be guided by what pieces you play most proficiently, but it's equally important to consider what will be most entertaining to your audience.

Classical piano repertoire is a specialized interest, after all.  Unless you know that your friends and family share your level of knowledge and enthusiasm, playing something that's "too popular" might be just the ticket; if they do like what you like, on the other hand, then they're bound to be pleased by anything you choose.

If you want to err on the side of caution, pick short pieces and keep the overall length of your recital brief.

[amateurguy]

Stevebob,
Thanks for the advice. I think I will do a couple Chopin Nocturnes, opening with opus 9, number 1, and then op 27, no 1, and op 72, number 1 posthumous.  Then Schubert impromptu op 90, no 3. Then 1 more piece to be determined. The people I'm playing for don't play, and really don't even listen to a lot of classical piano music, which helps a little if I mess up. I'm really excited about my new Steinway B and had the idea that I would print out a small program and have this a bit organized, but maybe I'm taking it a bit too serious. Anyway, any other thoughts or suggestions are welcome. This forum is a lot of fun to read. I'm new here, and just really getting a kick out of all the comments from all the different people on here. jeff.

[prongated]

...amateurguy, I love your choice of repertoire! The Schuberts you play are some of my absolute favourite piano music! You have very fine taste in music! I mean, how many people out there know G major sonata, let alone appreciate just how gorgeous it is?

For the recital, what about no. 3 from the 2nd set to end? It is always delightful for such audience as yours!

[magio]

I need advise too!!!
Which piano pieces should i pick for a recital
helpppppppppp!!!!!!!!