Nocturnes

[ollymuxworthy]

I'm preparing repertoire for my upcoming A2 performance exam. The pieces do not have to be difficult, but they do have to be within a very specific genre, and the recital programme must be around 15 minutes long.

My original thoughts were to have my genre as "Chopin Nocturnes" and to play:
- Nocturne in E Flat Op. 9 No. 2
- Nocturne in C Sharp Minor Op. Posth.
- Nocturne in E Flat Op. 55 No. 2

The first two are absolutely fine, but the last is proving to be more difficult and I think I may have trouble perfecting it before mid-February (which is the earliest the exam might be).

I have been told by my teacher that I can simply have "Romantic Era Nocturnes" or something like that as my theme, and replace the Op. 55 nocturne with something else a little easier.

I was wondering if anyone can suggest a nice nocturne by another composer? I'd like a piece that would still be useful after the exam (i.e. a genuinely nice piece rather than something I'm just learning for the marks). Any ideas?

Thanks

[werq34ac]

Why not another Chopin nocturne? Perhaps Op. 9/1 or Op. 72 no. 1?




I don't like the idea of having a very specific genre for a recital. I feel like it would get boring... at least it's only 15 minutes.

[pianoplayjl]

Why not try a Nocturne by John Field, perhaps the 5th one. John Field was the original nocturne composer and it will be interesting to play them.

[thalbergmad]

Herz wrote some delightful and simple nocturnes.

This beauty is currently in my feeble repetoire.

Thal

[yogibear07]

what about Resphigi Notturno or Sam.Barber's one? Eric Satie wrote a couple of interesting ones as well.I agree,Op.55 no 2 with its inner voicing and trills within one hand seems real hard.I'm considering programming something like this as well.Depending on your level of pianissm,the Grieg Notturno might be nice too.