Where to go next?

[bonham]

Hey everyone, I recently returned to the piano after a several year hiatus. I started probably when I was about 12, and practiced under instruction for 1.5 to 2 years.

During those first couple years of lessons, I realized that I just wasn't interested in the music, and as a result, I became rather disinterested with the piano. However, I recently discovered some incredible pieces, which have quickly been elevated to the top of my iPod's playlist. I returned to my teacher with the intention of learning Chopin's Opus 9 No. 2 Nocturne, and Fantasie Impromptu as an ultimate goal. After wrapping up the Nocturne in a month (a gorgeous piece, by the way), I've developed a pretty keen ear as to the sort of piece I really respond to. I'm moved by dark, touching pieces (often being in minor keys, if that helps) that may not be particularly difficult technique wise, but can take months of refinement to be able to play with enough emotion to really do the piece justice. Chopin is especially appealing for several obvious reasons, and I've memorized his Opus 28 Preludes No. 4 and 20 in the past couple of weeks. As for other composers, I'm thinking of learning Rebikoff's Valse Melancolique. I also love listening to Rachmaninoff's 2nd Concerto and Mozart's Requiem. Sadly, that's about the extent of my knowledge of classical music.

My knowledge of classical music is rather pitiful, I'm afraid. To give you an idea of my skill level, I'm able to play the first several bars of Fantasie Impromptu at the correct tempo, and am able to keep my right hand going until right before the first transition. To be fair, I've barely picked at it in the past few weeks, as the challenge of accurately playing such a piece after Nocturne No. 2 seems fairly daunting.

Based on what I've mentioned about my tastes and ability, what do you think my best move would be to expand my musical palate? Right now, all I know are several of Chopin's nocturnes and Preludes, and a few other scattered pieces. If you need more information, I'd be happy to provide it. I'd love any suggestions as to what arrangements I should tackle next.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[berman]

It looks like you have an certain interest in Chopin as we all have, maybe you should try to play something else, classical, impressionistic and maybe modern. but go on with the romantics of course. Some tips:
Beethoven: Moonlight sonata 1st & 2nd mvt.
Mozart: Fantasia in d minor
Ravel: Prelude
Debussy: Clair du Lune
Liszt: Liebestraum no. 3
Maybe to easy, maybe to hard, I donīt know