What on earth to choose?

[Rachmanoinoff]

Hey guys,
My first message posted here, new member  

My name is Martin, and I'm 15 years old.  I've been playing the piano on/off for about 8 years, and currently I don't have a teacher because my last one got tired og my wavering from the Rach 3 to the Liszt sonata to the Rach 2, etc.  Also, I lost inspiration and stopped practicing.

So when I started "re-practicing" pieces that I never finished (I never finish any pieces... so frustrating) I was (am) happy.  So, I'm "re-doing" or "finishing" pieces, on my own, and perhaps later I'll get a teacher, when I've got somethign to work with.  Here's what I'm working on:

Rachmaninoff G-Minor prelude (the march-like thing)
Chopin scherzo no. 1
Chopin scherzo no. 2
Flight of the bubmlebee (Rach. transcription)
Beethoven "Tempest" sonata (first movement)

Yeah, well, what's my point?  My point is, that by the end of this year I want to be able to have a concert/recital for my family and friends about an hour long.  BUT I AM SO INCONSISTENT!

What shall I choose?  If I can get these pieces down, I still need more time.  But I'm the type who wants LOUD and crashy music, I'm only 15 and I guess I'm not so mature yet.  Like Rachmaninoff, or Liszt.

Please help me.  I don't know what to do... aaaah!

[Diabolos]

Hey Martin - welcome to the forum.

It's pretty awesoma that you play this difficult literature yet - you chose some of the most difficult pieces ever composed.

Well, there are a few things to consider for your recital, e.g. what is your physical ability like, how good can you memorize etc.

The problem I see with those pieces is that you a: don't have any piece that makes it possible for you to warm up and get comfortable with the situation on stage; secondly your programm's very demanding when it comes to physical power - and you're missing the slow and lyric parts (although the Chopin Scherzi do have their moments).

You should think of playing the whole tempest, for example, which would make the first (or second) block of your concert.

For warming up have a look at some Bach stuff like a prelude and fugue etc. or a Mozart Fantasy.

And you shouldn't play both of the Scherzi, that might be a little too much at a time - but think of playing one of them and one of the Rach pieces for the last and technical part.

You might also have a look for a nice encore, maybe a Chopin Waltz (Chopin's most difficult pieces since every note has to be thought about and played precisely) or a piece by Debussy...

Just try to make the programme interesting.

Good luck with that - and be consistent.

Regards,