Repertoire question

[bluelabel]

First let me apologize in advance if this is in the wrong place - I'm new here! I've been playing piano for quite a while, but haven't had formal instruction for several years although I've managed  to keep up with it. I've been trying to expand my repertoire recently, and I was hoping some more experienced pianists could give me some advice on where to turn next.

I'm a huge fan of Romantic period music, in particular Chopin and Rachmaninoff. To give you a rough idea of my skill level, I'm playing pieces like Chopin's Minute Waltz, Military Polonaise, Grande Valse Brillante in E Flat, as well as Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G Sharp Minor (Op 32 no. 12) and to a lesser degree of success, his famous Prelude in C Sharp Minor (Op 3 no. 2). I'd really like to try some Lizst or Dvorak, but I'm open to any suggestions. What do you think?

[49410enrique]

first welcome and congratulations on your accomplishments and continuing to strive to improve.

im a bit confised, based on what you mentioned you listed quite a number of wonderul standard works, all pretty darn difficult in many ways, yet you don't quiet elaborate to what level of refinement these pieces are in your repertoire? i reccommend if they are all 'polished' you record them and post then in individual posts in the audition room.  also it is concerning that you have reservations about the rachmaninoff prelude c# op 3n2, which in many many ways is much less challenging than the previous works you claimed to have down.

be that as it may in the meantime, i.e. while you get recorded and uploaded, i would continue to practice that prelude and get it up in the ar as well.  it is doubtful if yo ustruggle with that one that the other works are to a goo standard and if you have only experieced these 'romantic' pieces that you have some of the musical and technical experices neccessary to navigate  many of the other pieces you seem interested in approaching.  also knowing how many hours you have available to practice per day is important to know since it already seems like you have alot on your plate.

again welcome and we lookforward to the recordings.

[bluelabel]

I think my issue with C Sharp is I just haven't spent enough time on it. I'm a bit surprised to hear it's considered such an easy piece. I'll just have to keep chugging away. I guess I should add that I never claimed to be in any way a great pianist. I play because it's fun and I love it, and I was hoping I could get a few ideas for what to try next. Anyway, thanks for the input.

[49410enrique]

by all means do not take it wrong way just we need more information on where you are at so as to suggest pieces at the approachable 'level'.

you seem drawn to romatnic pices as you said, give the liszt romance a listen and read through. i think you should be able to find that one enjoyable

[worov]

Hi !

What have you played besides the pieces you mentionned in the romantic repertoire ? What about non-romantic repertoire ?

From what you said, if you have mastered these pieces, I take it that you have an advanced level.

What suggestions are looking for ? Romantic only ? Or also some baroque, Renaissance, classical, modern, contemporary ?

Here are my favourite romantic composers :

John Field : try the nocturnes and sonatas.

Schubert : imporomptus and sonatas

Mendelssohn : Songs without words.

Schumann : all of his piano music is wonderful. Some of them are really underrated : Bunte Blätter, Albumblätter, Impromptus, Intermezzos and others.

Grieg : lyric pieces.

Granados : tons of real gems by this underrated composer. Danzas espanolas, valses poeticos, escenas poeticas, Bocetos.

Fauré : barcarolles, nocturnes, romances sans paroles, impromptus.

You played some waltzes and a polonaise by Chopin. Have you played anything else by him ? Try some other pieces. My favourite Chopin pieces are the preludes and the etudes.

This should get you started.