"Not Fur Elise" very clever!

[pppfff]

Hi guys,

I have been teaching piano for many years now and as you all probably know "Fur Elise" is one of the most often requested pieces by beginner-intermediate students but I usually refuse to teach it since I am a bit, shall we say, "tired" of it.

One of my students found this video on youtube with an alternative version and asked me if she could play it for the recital. I thought it's a really clever variation (very well done) and it is not only the first section but the whole piece (I am probably going to say yes and let her play it, it's going to be a nice surprise for the audience too! I hope...)

Anyways, I just wanted to share the find for any other teachers that might be in the same boat with me and "Fur Elise"

cool ah?

[pbryld]

Wow. I've gotta buy that book some time. I really liked! Very Chopinesque if you ask me.

[pianoplayjl]

Though only a student myself, I consider myself to sort of be in the same boat as you. Fur elise has to be the top 5 most recognisable classical music tunes ever! Everyone knows how to play that piece, to some degree, no matter what grade they are in. It is just as though Fur Elise is indispensable to a pianist's repertoire! While it is a great piece I think it is overplayed. I enjoyed the variation and it is refreshing to hear something different.

JL

[williampiano]

My teacher would never let me play fur elise in any studio recitals when I was younger because there were at least two other students playing it. The program would have become too monotonous.
I agree with pianoplayjl, the piece is great, yet over played. Almost every intermediate level pianist I know is trying to learn it and it would be nice to see people try to play music that not 'everyone' knows of. It would add some color to piano studio recitals.