Glinka-Balakirev vs Chopin

[paullie]

Hello, a new member here (sorry if this is in the wrong section). I passed ABRSM Grade 8 with distinction last year and really would love to pursue music at diploma level, but due to my studies it's impossible.

I'm living on campus so I don't have a piano to practice on. But I'll have roughly a month of semester break so I can probably learn a piece I like.

I'm thinking of either Glinka-Balakirev's The Lark or Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu. Both appeal to me musically, perhaps the former a little more. But The Lark seems to be more challenging technically? I'm not too confident that I'll be able to master it (or even just playing it smoothly) in a month's time. It'd be better to master a piece that I like less than to play half of a piece that I like more.

Long story short - How challenging is The Lark compared to Fantasie Impromptu in terms of technical difficulty?

Thanks for hearing me out and your replies.

[pytheamateur]

In case you don't know, both pieces are in the ATCL syllabus so I think they are similar in difficulty. 

The Fantasie Impromptu is more repetitive.  That might be a good thing or not, depending on the person.  I am having trouble playing the semiquavers cleanly, which may just be down to my poor technique.  I think it's one of those pieces that will sound horrible as soon as you start missing notes (see the many horrible Youtube recordings).  On the other hand, IMHO the Lark will still sound ok if you miss a note or two occasionally.  Playing wrong notes may not be a big issue for you anyway as you have a distinction in Grade 8 (well done!).

[benechan]

I like Aya Nagatomi's rendition of the Lark - on this blog entry:
Balakirev's beautiful Chopin's Piano Concerto transcription & Glinka's Lark paraphrase
https://pianosage.blogspot.com/2011/05/balakirevs-beautiful-chopins-piano.html

You'll also find this useful
How to play Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu C# Minor: analysis, tips, masterclasses Opus 66
https://pianosage.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-play-chopins-fantasie-impromptu.html

[paullie]

Thanks for the really useful advice and resources so far!

I think I'll muster my courage and go for The Lark instead, since I like it better, I suppose it'll be more satisfying that way.

[cranston53]

Hello Paullie,

Go for 'The Lark'. It's actually not too difficult a piece. The notes and figurations fit under the hand very nicely. It's also one of those exciting pieces which is 'more than the sum of its parts'.

The challenge as ever is musical - bringing out the top line of the melody - to make the lark sing, and maintaining a crispness to the sound.

Have fun.