Scriabin Impromptu Op.12 no.2 or Brahms Intermezzo op.118 no.2

[pianovlad1996]

Hello!
My teacher said that I'm free to choose a piece for the next year. I am grade 8 (I'm playng piano since I was 5) and I want something challenging but not over my level. I searched through many lists of repertoire for grade 8 and I found these two gems. Which one would be suitable for my level?

[asiantraveller101]

Either one! Listen to both and see which one catches your fancy. Brahms is more contemplative overall. Scriabin is more dramatic and stormy. In my opinion, the Scriabin is perhaps more technically challenging. But is not easy to play Brahms as either since it requires so much tonal control and artistry. Ask your teacher for more input. He/she would be able to guide you better since he/she would know your capability better.

[pianovlad1996]

It's hard for me to decide because I will meet my teacher in 15 September and until then I will have to read slowly the piece that I chose.  I don't know which of these two pieces to choose. Both are tempting. I don't want to choose a piece over my level. Often we tend to look at the tempo and in the Scriabin Impromtu the tempo is reduced. The phrasing is challenging. Brahms is as you said,  difficult to interpret. Both are difficult to interpret .... I am not ready to choose my pieces. Anyway thanks for your advice. If you have time, please help me. 

[gerryjay]

Dear Vlad,
I play both and it is hard to compare them. Notwithstanding, there are hints.

1. The most important feature is: what piece do you love the most? If you have an answer for this question, you are already done.

2. Look closely at the score and divide each piece into sections. Now, look closely at each section and figure out what will be easy and what will be more difficult. Here, you have many crossroads (hence, a teacher), but basically there is the dispute between what you do best and what you don't, versus if you want a challenge or if you want something smooth. Good questions, but fundamental ones: all your piano playing is about that.

3. If you have time, simply play both. It is not like choosing between two similar works by the same composer. These are dissimilar works by dissimilar composers (and the reason I think your teacher gave you both: to give you a wide range of selection), so the best idea - in my humble opinion - is to study a bit more and tackle Brahms AND Scriabin. The works worth doing that.

Best regards,
Jay.

[asiantraveller101]

I agree with gerryjay. Since it is summer time, and you probably have more time at hand. You can explore both. Read through each of them slowly, does not have to be perfect, but just to get an idea of how each is like. Both pieces are dissimilar in many aspects. It depends on what you want to focus on at this juncture of your musical journey. Part of becoming a wholesome musician is to be able to decide what pieces and technical aspects to work on. Exploration expands your musical horizon and it also improves your sigh-reading skill. Give yourself time to explore both, then decide later. Or maybe you will discover that you like them both, and decide to work on them simultaneously.
I know you do not want to choose a piece way over your level. On the other hand, I assume you are young. Now is the time to really challenge yourself technically and push yourself to be the best that you can be.
Realistically speaking, judging solely from notes, not musically; Scriabin would be more difficult to tackle. It does require a flair and bravura playing.
Keep us posted and we would love to know your learning process! 

[bachbrahmsschubert]

3. If you have time, simply play both. It is not like choosing between two similar works by the same composer. These are dissimilar works by dissimilar composers (and the reason I think your teacher gave you both: to give you a wide range of selection), so the best idea - in my humble opinion - is to study a bit more and tackle Brahms AND Scriabin. The works worth doing that.

I agree with this. Since you cannot yet decide which one to play, you're wasting time sitting around thinking about it. Take initiative and set goals for yourself. The correct mentality is incredibly important; have confidence that you can learn either of them, or both.

I also would not be so worried about how you are going to interpret them; you haven't even played them yet! The more familiar you become with the piece (which will only happen through analysis and playing), the easier it will become to interpret.

And, if you choose one, I'm always biased towards Brahms. 

Best wishes,

[pianovlad1996]

Thank you. To learn both of them is a very good idea.
And for bachbrahmsschubert please don't judge me for what I played. Last year I finished Liszt Concerto No.1. I spent 2 years on it and I had a few mistakes (one was big) on scene. That concerto wasn't for the exam and these pieces are. I have to play these (I will play both of them), 3 studies, a Bach and a sonata. The exam is very important because I have a rival. And where it's a rival it's hard work.