Romantic Rep Suggestion

[pianistcellist]

I am looking forward to starting a new Romantic project in the near future, but I am having some trouble narrowing my options down. Here is what has been going through my mind.

I was thinking either the 2nd Chopin Sonata or the 2nd Rachmaninov Sonata (I have already played the first). A quick aside, which version of the 2nd do people prefer? I personally like the 1931, but I don't want it to look like I am just taking the easy way out. Back to topic, I am slightly afraid that these are both a bit to large for what I am looking for, but I am looking for whatever I choose to be substantial both time wise and "musical weight" wise.

I have previously performed all of the Chopin Ballades, the Liszt Legends and Mazeppa, and the Rachmaninov Sonata No. 1, among other things.

Usually I don't have trouble choosing rep so I must be having a brain dead period right now.

Anyway, I am looking forward to your suggestions.

Also, if it changes anything for you, I will be using this as one of my graduate school audition pieces eventually.

Thanks!

[invictious]

This probably would not be of great assistance, but with your repertoire, such as having the guts to perform Mazeppa live (I know people who who would never dare perform Mazeppa), I would say you probably would not have much difficult playing either of the pieces that you mentioned, or many other pieces in the repertory of the Romantic era.

For Rachmaninov's second piano sonata, why not take a look at Horowitz's version, who apparently combined both versions together. That should be interesting.

PS Do you play cello?

[pianistcellist]

Thanks for the reply. I am just a bit worried about the length of these piece and whether I will be able to play them at the level of technical and musically assurance that I want. I appreciate your thoughts.

Do you know where I could find a copy of the Horowitz version?

Yes I do play the cello, but not nearly as seriously as I am pursuing the piano.

[invictious]

Cool I am a cellist too. I stopped playing cello a while ago due to back pain and commitment issues. I am actually looking forward to picking it back up soon.

About the sonata, I only found a version home-made by someone else, and you may have to double check the accuracy.

The following link here:
https://vkgfx.com/scores/horowitz/horowitz_rach_sonata2.pdf

Hope it helps.

[quantum]

Have a look at the Medtner sonatas. 

[pianistcellist]

I looked at the Medtner sonatas and nothing really drew me in. I would probably prefer to just play the Rachmaninov 2nd sonata if I had to choose between them. Maybe I will "get" Medtner later.

Any other suggestions? 

[scott13]

Brahms Sonata #1 or 3 . 3 tends to be over-played with 1 and 2 being neglected. 1 is a beautiful piece and quite challenging too (hard on the 4th finger of right hand unless you are familiar with Brahms chords already)