Chopin

[sjeon]

My teacher gave me three pieces to play. I have to pick one of them to play.
The three are:
Chopin's Polonaise op.40 no.1
Chopin- Fantasie Impromptu
Chopin - Waltz op.18

Which one should I play?
What do you think about these pieces?

[emilye]

we don't know how you play. I really like polonaise, it is so beautifull and interesting piece.

[ivorybabe247]

My teacher gave me three pieces to play. I have to pick one of them to play.
The three are:
Chopin's Polonaise op.40 no.1
Chopin- Fantasie Impromptu
Chopin - Waltz op.18

Which one should I play?
What do you think about these pieces?

Great options! I have personally played the Waltz and the polonaise, so i should tell you they are both very showy peices, depending on how long you have been playing the Waltz is easier than the Polonaise but they are great for recitals, they should take you at least 8 months to master though so keep that in mind. unfortunately i cannot be much help in the Fantasia Impromptu topic, but i have heard around this site many people have playes it. As with all Chopin peices you should definitely make the phrasing stand out and watch the grace notes on the Waltxz, don't slur them together. good luck!

[ch101]

all three are great options.
i personally like the waltz quite a lot. all three are not very technical so you do not need to worry about the technical aspects quite so much.
it all depends on your a) personal interest  b)purpose for practicing those pieces  c) technique.
if you are the fierce type then try the polonaise. it is my favorite along with op 53.   
just to warn you there is more to the waltz than you think.

[onwan]

I'm playing polonaises now and it's a beautiful piece. I think it's not a complicated piece than Fantaisie Impromptu.

[j_menz]

You're probably going to spend quite a bit of time with the one you pick, so choose the one you like best.

They are all great pieces, great to play (and each with a few challenges). That said, not my favourite waltz, not my favourite impromptu and certainly not my favourite polonaise.

[stoudemirestat]

Up to you, your tastes, strength, weaknesses, standard, etc. I would pick the fantasie impromptu. I don't care how overplayed it is I really like it as a piece (even if the middle section goes on forever). The other two are dances, which while charming and entertaining, go less with my tastes than something like the fantasie impromptu. But that's only me. You should pick for yourself.

[werq34ac]

I ABSOLUTELY HATE THE POLONAISE OMFG! So one kid at a recital played EVERY FREAKING DAMNED REPEAT and so a piece that could have and SHOULD have been only 4 minutes was like 10 minutes. WHO THE HELL PLAYS EVERY REPEAT? Anyway, if you ABSOLUTELY INSIST on playing this piece, dear god please skip the repeats..

As for the waltz, I'm not a big fan of the piece. Not exactly Chopin's greatest work, but not exactly his worst. If you feel like you can endure learning 5 minutes of nothing but happy, then sure go for it. It's the kind of piece that some people call "too happy."

And the Fantasie-Impromptu, while probably being the most overplayed piece on your list, it's also the most difficult. If you have never played a polyrhythm before, I don't recommend this as your first piece. And if that Right hand scares the living bejeezus out of you, I don't recommend you play it. Otherwise, go for it if you like the piece.

[j_menz]

WHO THE HELL PLAYS EVERY REPEAT?

People who actually like it?

[werq34ac]

People who actually like it?

  PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIKE IT??

[drkilroy]

Why do you hate it so much? Something particular about this polonaise or just overall? I know you also love the etude op. 25 no. 9.

Best regards, Dr

[werq34ac]

Why do you hate it so much? Something particular about this polonaise or just overall? I know you also love the etude op. 25 no. 9.

Best regards, Dr

After the time that kid took EVERY DAMN REPEAT, I can't stand this piece. It might just be the trauma (for lack of better word). I suppose it's not an awful piece, but I can't bear to listen to another performance of it.

As for the etude.. thank god it's short... it has that over-happiness that people hate about Mozart without it being Mozart. Harmonically and melodically, I don't find the piece interesting at all.

[gn622]

I hate that polonaise too, its feel too mechanical and the melody is annoying 

[symphonicdance]

The polonaise is less difficult than the other two you listed. But if you have played Schubert's Millitary March before then why not try the waltz?  Fantansie impromptu is more difficult.  Alternatively you can take a look at the first impromptu.

[drkilroy]

I hate that polonaise too, its feel too mechanical and the melody is annoying 

You know, polonaise is a kind of dance, so the pulse must be kept. Melody is based on some Polish folk music I think.

I actually like this polonaise as my granny used to listen to it when I was visiting her as a little kid.

Best regards, Dr