How many of you have a "signature piece"?

[cdales]

I'm wondering how many pianists out there have a favorite work, large or small, that you regularly perform and that uniquely expresses what you want to communicate?

Mine is definitely turning out to be Poulenc's Mélancolie, a relatively obscure masterpiece that I might never have discovered but for Rachfan's thoughtful November 2007 performance. Although it doesn't sound difficult, learning it was anything but a slam dunk, and now memorizing it is taking me forever  . However, its sheer elegance will carry me through all that, and it will always be a part of me...

(the signature piece discussion is a revival of a 2006 thread that really never got off the ground -- there's a mixed metaphor for you!)

[brriker]

I'd say for me it is Brahms' Intermezzo Op. 118, no. 2

[birba]

INteresting question!  I've had several in my life - they last for several years and then fall by the wayside, so to speak.   When I was really young, people always wanted to hear me play malaguena - the lecuono.  Then something happened at an informal gathering in a bar on via veneto in Rome, and I NEVER EVER played it again.  Then Ginastera took over, and I always played his first sonata.  After a few years, it was his argentinian dances.  About the age of 40, I started playing Chopin's op.53.    That lasted about 10 years.  And, finally, till last year I was always playing the Liszt's Rigoletto paraphrase.   Now I'm sick of it.  I don't know WHAT to do now...

[scottmcc]

birba, I think it's clear for several reasons that you need to play the WANDERER fantasy. 

[birba]

Really wierd that you should say that!  I fell in love with the wanderer when I was 20.  It became an obsession with me and I left it and came back to it several times.  2 years ago when I fell ill, I was really determined to "have"  it, finally,  and took it up again.  still not there, needless to say... 

[thinkgreenlovepiano]

Well I'm more of a not-very-advanced student, not a pro pianist, so I'm going to give a very non-performer type answer, but this thread interested me.

 My teacher is always telling me how I need a "signature piece" (to play for school events and for when friends come over, I guess. I perform at student recitals mostly, and my teacher almost never lets me play the same piece twice.)
The thing is, right now I'm not happy with any of my pieces.
 My friends always ask me to play Bach's French Suite no 2... they like it, especially the Allemande. But who wouldn't love a beautiful piece like that? Bach's talent makes up for my not-so-talented-ness. Although I still can't express what I want to communicate very well, I never get tired of playing it, it really speaks to me and I love it, and I don't mind performing it.

[monkeydudexd]

for me it was bach's italian concerto mvt 3. i always played it at the end of my concerts because i thought i was a nice, light way to end and leave on a happy note

[thebuchertrain]

birba- funny you should mention the lecouna malaguena- I used to play that all the time too! I'm curious about what happened that made you stop playing it, but i don't want to pry or anything...

a couple years ago it was chopin's scherzo no. 2, but right now i don't really have one. if i had to name a piece it would probably be the the waldstien sonata (but it's kinda sloppy right now  ).

[pianisten1989]

For me, it's probably Chopin op 25/7. It used to be the mephisto waltz (guess which one!!!), but then I realized - I don't even like Liszt...

Now I'm learning the Chopin Fantasie, so I guess that will be my next one!

[brogers70]

I'd say for me it is Brahms' Intermezzo Op. 118, no. 2

Ditto. It's beautiful, and it doesn't require a lot of warm-up, so if someone asks you to "just play something" out of the blue, it's doable.

[birba]

birba- funny you should mention the lecouna malaguena- I used to play that all the time too! I'm curious about what happened that made you stop playing it, but i don't want to pry or anything...

a couple years ago it was chopin's scherzo no. 2, but right now i don't really have one. if i had to name a piece it would probably be the the waldstien sonata (but it's kinda sloppy right now  ).

Oh well, why not.  After all I am talking about 40 years ago.  I had just moved to Rome and girlfriend of mine from the states came to visit me.  We decided to "do" via veneto - at that time it was still the night life of the "dolce vita".  We were having drinks at the paris cafe and we started conversation with 2 men at the table next to us.  I guess they thought they had hit the jack pot - two americans out on their own.  they were nice, though, and invited us to a piano bar in a big hotel around the corner.  Mind you, by this time, I had had a bit too much to drink, and this was when I learned you should NEVER play the piano when you're drunk.  We walked in and I noticed immediately one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life.  Dark hair, loose around a top-model face, gorgeous figure in a stunning white pants suit.  Our hosts informed us she was one of the top call-girls on via veneto.  She must have taken a liking to me (I was quite stunning, myself, at that time ) and when she heard I was a pianist she asked if I would play something.   And what did I play?
My signature piece.  Malaguena.  And what happened?  My fingers were complete mush after all the drinks, and it was a mess.  I was never so embarassed in all my life.  The lounge pianist was quite kind to me, knowing what had happened and tried to laugh it off.  But the damage had been done and  I left with my tail between my legs.     

[rachfan]

Hi cdales,

Thanks for mentioning here my older recording of Poulenc's "Melancolie", a very lyrical and neo-romantic piece and also, by the way, Poulenc's longest work for solo piano.  It's nice to know that it still gets some play these days, and that it made such an impression on you.  I'm flattered that it inspired you to actually learn this wonderful music.  I agree, it's not an easy one, but well worth the effort.  Best of luck in mastering it!

[thebuchertrain]

hahaha oh no! great story birba! I learned that lesson too, but not as harshly as you. it was just me and a couple friends, and i just tried it to see how i'd do. Not very well, it turns out. 

[omar_roy]

Oh well, why not.  After all I am talking about 40 years ago.  I had just moved to Rome and girlfriend of mine from the states came to visit me.  We decided to "do" via veneto - at that time it was still the night life of the "dolce vita".  We were having drinks at the paris cafe and we started conversation with 2 men at the table next to us.  I guess they thought they had hit the jack pot - two americans out on their own.  they were nice, though, and invited us to a piano bar in a big hotel around the corner.  Mind you, by this time, I had had a bit too much to drink, and this was when I learned you should NEVER play the piano when you're drunk.  We walked in and I noticed immediately one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life.  Dark hair, loose around a top-model face, gorgeous figure in a stunning white pants suit.  Our hosts informed us she was one of the top call-girls on via veneto.  She must have taken a liking to me (I was quite stunning, myself, at that time ) and when she heard I was a pianist she asked if I would play something.   And what did I play?
My signature piece.  Malaguena.  And what happened?  My fingers were complete mush after all the drinks, and it was a mess.  I was never so embarassed in all my life.  The lounge pianist was quite kind to me, knowing what had happened and tried to laugh it off.  But the damage had been done and  I left with my tail between my legs.     

That's not so bad! At least you only embarrassed yourself!

[ongaku_oniko]

I bet even in that state birba's playing is better than most conservatoire students

[cdales]

She must have taken a liking to me ... and when she heard I was a pianist she asked if I would play something.   And what did I play? My signature piece.  Malaguena.  And what happened?  My fingers were complete mush after all the drinks, and it was a mess.  I was never so embarassed in all my life.  The lounge pianist was quite kind to me, knowing what had happened and tried to laugh it off.  But the damage had been done and  I left with my tail between my legs. 

     

I can identify with the "mush" factor  As it hits me after just a few sips, I generally wait till after the performance to imbibe, either while celebrating or while licking my wounds. However, I have friends who swear they can't get up to perform without a little liquid courage, and playing a number for four hands with a "fortified" partner is like paddling a canoe with a rower who has a broken arm...

[alekraverm]

Prokofiev's Grand Waltz from the Cinderella transcriptions and Scriabin Vers La Flamme would have to be my signature pieces. In the case of a party and I have to throw something out there quickly it would have to be either Chopin etude Op. 10 No. 4 or 5

[scottmcc]

birba, it's a great story about the drunken exploits, and a great cautionary tale.  I'm still surprised that you run into trouble with the wanderer.  obviously it's very difficult, but what is it specifically that troubles you?

as a bit of background for my question, this is one of my favorite bits of music, but it's clearly way beyond where my abilities will be ever.  however, that said, the writing is so transparent, so straightforward, that it bothers me ever so that I understand the challenges so well, but will never have the technical abilities to play it.  as schubert was reputed to say, "the devil can play it."  alas.

[birba]

I know what you mean.  It's like an advanced mozart.  Technically, it's not really that difficult if you've got octaves. - although, those last few measures from the first movement require a bit of a "convincing allargando" -  The octaves in the last movement are playable, on the other hand.  To me, it's always been the 3rd movement that's SO problematic.  Besides all the leaps and jumping around, it's making sense out of it that I've found so difficult.  It can sound so pedantic.   But my last bout with it was very profitable.  Maybe one more time and I'll have it!

[ted]

From my point of view, no, I do not have a "signature piece" in the sense of defining something about myself to myself. On the rare occasions I play pieces for other people, Maple Leaf Rag and Rhapsody In Blue are asked for most often, closely followed by my own Call of the Hundred Islands and Song of Aragorn.

[birba]

Then I would say those are your signature pieces.  They might start out being something that defines YOU and consequently are well played, but then might become the "party" piece that everyone loves and always ask you to play.  After that, they become a drag to play.  At least, for me.

[fleetfingers]

Maple Leaf is my signature piece these days, too. I also like to play The Cascades for people.

It was Alla Turca in my high school days. I performed it in a talent show and after that everyone would ask me to play it for them. It became "(insert ff's real name here)'s song". When we were dating, my husband would say, "play 'The Truman Show.'"  

[ted]

Yes, Cascades is a good one. Most people start it too quickly and then the third strain ends up sounding like Liszt or collapsing in a heap, neither of which was probably intended by Joplin. James Scott, it seems to me, can be played reasonably fast to good effect, but Joplin cannot - generally, with one or two exceptions. 

[hodgeinator55]

gotta be chopin's, prelude in c minor for me

[birba]

What is this cascades thing?

[lisztomaniac]

rach flight of the bumblebee

[liszt1022]

In college it was Berlioz' March to the Scaffold. I posted it to the audition room once...
Ah, here it is.
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,16498.0.html

[ted]

What is this cascades thing?

It is a rag by Joplin, associated with a watercourse at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St Louis in 1904. The rag "On the Pike", by James Scott, is named after the main thoroughfare of the same exposition.

https://www.univie.ac.at/Anglistik/webprojects/LiveMiss/stlouis/slwf1904.htm