Intermediate "Show off Pieces"

[Nana_Ama]

I've been wanting to enter my high school's talent show. It's in the winter however, I'm not the most experienced pianist-- I play mostly sonatinas (the only Sonata I have played is Op. 49 no.2 of Beethoven), and simpler Chopin pieces.  I want to perform something that SOUNDS impressive and technical to an non musical audience, but that wouldn't be out of reach for me to learn. I wouldn't mind a challenge, since I have quite a while to get it ready, but obviously I can't play Chopin Etudes or anything even remotely close to that level of difficulty.

Any ideas?  
Thanks in advance!!

[Saturn]

I want to perform something that SOUNDS impressive and technical to an non musical audience, but that wouldn't be out of reach for me to learn.

Don't concentrate too much on trying to impress a non-musical audience.  Just play whatever it is that you enjoy and play best.

But, check these threads out:

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=stud;action=display;num=1093420385

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=repo;action=display;num=1055250049

[bachmaninov]

LECUONA!!! COME ON!!! Sombody take my advice and learn lecuona!! The best show off pieces that arent hard!! Blaahh.. look into it... He's the best!

Malaguena is so easy! AND it sounds Enormous!
Plus like a whole book of other pieces

[Nana_Ama]

okay !    who are the pieces by?

[bernhard]

Er...

Ernesto Lecuona (1896-1963), Cuban composer...

If you find Malaguena too difficult, try his "Danzas Afro-Cubanas" which are easier and equally exuberant.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Nana_Ama]

Er...

Ernesto Lecuona (1896-1963), Cuban composer...

If you find Malaguena too difficult, try his "Danzas Afro-Cubanas" which are easier and equally exuberant.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

Well, there you go, I learned something new today  

[Stolzing]

Try the Minute Waltz.  It's only 2 pages to learn really since it repeats and it's not terribly difficult.

[bachmaninov]

ugh... minute waltz.... so over-played.....

[davidwallace]

I have recently produced an Anthology of 52 pieces based on my students selecting their favourite tunes.  chosen from a C.D, moving from Early Intermediate to Early Advanced.   If you would like a copy, E-mail, DAVIDWALLACE5@msn.com    

[Nana_Ama]

Is it free?? :-/

[Sketchee]

Instead of the "Minute" Op 64 No1, you may want to look at it's pair Op 64 No 2.  It's pretty short and once you learn the first two sections they repeat.  The Piu Mosso section can be played quickly and impressively.  Also, there's some very nice technique that can be picked up from it.  There are some other Chopin Waltzes that are worth looking at as well but this is my personal favorite.

[liszmaninopin]

Perhaps you should try one of the easier Scarlatti sonatas.  There are several threads around this forum discussing them.

[Max]

Mozart is good for simple but 'showy' pieces, his Rondo in D is pretty easy but it is very nice.

[chromatickler]

the Godowsky Ignus Fatuus transcription of Chopin's 10/2

[kw13091984]

Khachachurian Toccatta is a really good show off piece, and shouldn't be too difficult, just make sure you have a good teacher to explain the rhythmic difficulties which can crop up in it

[lani]

LECUONA!!! COME ON!!! Sombody take my advice and learn lecuona!! The best show off pieces that arent hard!! Blaahh.. look into it... He's the best!

Malaguena is so easy! AND it sounds Enormous!
Plus like a whole book of other pieces

Just thought I should post that my daughter loves the Malaguena piece, but her teacher will need to modify the chords a bit since her hands are not quite big enough to span them (and she has long fingers, too).  You might want to consider this if you choose this piece. Regards,  Lani

[mipela]

You may try Albeniz's Leyenda. It sounds very BID and it is easy to master.

[j_menz]

I've been wanting to enter my high school's talent show. It's in the winter

You may try Albeniz's Leyenda. It sounds very BID and it is easy to master.

One suspects (and indeed hopes) the OP has graduated highschool and advanced beyond intermediate in the intervening eight and a half years. In any case, the competition is long over. 

[andreslr6]

One suspects (and indeed hopes) the OP has graduated highschool and advanced beyond intermediate in the intervening eight and a half years. In any case, the competition is long over. 

Better late than never I guess. LOL.

[jjernigan]

LECUONA!!! COME ON!!! Sombody take my advice and learn lecuona!! The best show off pieces that arent hard!! Blaahh.. look into it... He's the best!

Malaguena is so easy! AND it sounds Enormous!
Plus like a whole book of other pieces

I love Lecuona...:-) He's really a lot of fun!