I need help finding music that's not so childlike

[cselliott]

I took several years of lessons as a teen. My teacher was excellent but my sight reading skills have always been terrible. My playing skill was (and still is mostly) fairly high. I was playing Bach's piano and fugues, Beethoven's sonatas, the Maple Leaf Rag - a lot of the standard student stuff.  Now, 30 years later, I have purchased an electronic keyboard (with headphones not to bother people!!) and it's been a joy to practice again and learn and build my repertoire. Recently I taught myself 3 Chopin Nocturnes (Op.37 #1, Op. 9 #2, Op. 72 #1) and am struggling with a 4th (Op. 48 #2). It took quite a bit of effort to learn the notes.

Today I noticed I'm making progress with my sight reading skills! I'm not just memorizing the notes, I seem to be recognizing them quicker. The problem is that I don't like most of the music at the level I need so I tend to give up. It all seems so childish to me. I get turned off from practice because I can't find the right stuff, stuff I want to play and hear. A good example of something I don't like is a piece called "Evening Song" from Schirmer's "Selected Sonatinas" Vol. 1595 (Book II). A good example of music at my level that I absolutely LOVED learning is Eric Satie's Gnossienne's, all of them. They are beautiful, different and they don't sound like a kid learning piano. I also enjoyed Yann Tiersen. I tend to like sad or emotional music.

I guess I'm looking for a composer who just happened (or happens) to write music that's not too challenging but has a deeper, more serious feel to it without being too contemporary either. I know it's probably better practice to play music that doesn't make sense (for lack of a better way to put it) but the flow and beauty of a piece help me stick to it. Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated! I'm willing to try stuff. Thank you. 

[starstruck5]

Seems to me from your post that you are a bit frustrated at not being at the level you once were? Did I interpret that correctly? Maybe you should consider upgrading to a Gold member  -this means you can preview many pieces without even downloading them. Anything from Couperin, Scarlatti to Modern  if you like it you can download it! -It's a great asset anyhow!

[49410enrique]

try listening to some of dario marianelli's work, i.e. the piano solo book of the music from pride and predudice has some very pretty pieces i think you'd like that are not to challenging note wise but are still filled w quite a bit of emotional tension to leave one satisfied both as performer and listener.


i need to get book out again and start reading these again i almost forgot how much i enjoy them, this is the first one in the book

another example this one has intrumental but the book transcribes for solo

the rest are up on yt if you dig around pretty easy to come by, score is purchased easily even from normal book sellers (not neccessarily music shops) should cost you less than 15 but i've seen used copies ,clean, go for considerably cheaper

[roseamelia]

This one's great: Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# Minor

[cselliott]

Thank you!! Rachmaninoff scares me but yeah, challenge is important. And the Pride and Prejudice suggestion is perfect - I think I should look into more soundtracks.

[keyofc]

Great suggestion !

I often plan to buy soundtracks when I'm watching different movies -
and forget to do that.
I love the music on 'The Mirror With Two Faces"

[dmauney]

Since you like Eric Satie and Yann Tiersen, I think you might also like Wim Mertens, and Ludovico Einaudi. 

[quantum]

Have a listen to Scarlatti. 

You may like early Scriabin since you mention Chopin.  He wrote many short pieces that will be in reach for you.  Look at some of the Preludes.  Keep in mind Scriabin's style underwent monumental changes as his career progressed.  Late Scriabin is very modern.  Early Scriabin is very much in the romantic tradition. 

[sausagefingers]

I recommend

Rameau - Pieces de clavecin
Bach - Inventions I and II
Stravinsky - The Five Fingers

[flyinfingers]

I really like the Scarlatti pieces.  Maybe look at the D minor Aria K32.  It's one page but very pretty and I picked this piece because I want to implement basic technique that I've had to relearn recently.  I go on youtube and listen first.   Just a suggestion!