Am I ready?

[jorley]

Hello everyone! I have an extreme will to play the Barcarolle and Scherzo no 2 by Chopin, and I want to know if it's a logical next step after the Chopin Nocturne op 48 no 1 which is the hardest piece I have played so far I think. Other piece of significant importance that I have played are: Chopin op 15 no 1, Chopin op 27 no 1, Pathetique (1st mvt), Schubert Impromptu op 90 no 2 and op 142 no 3, Brahms Intermezzo op 118 no 2. Do you think it would be okay to start on any of the to pieces by Chopin, or should I wait and play something less demanding first? Are maybe any of the Chopin Etudes adequate to my current level? If so, which ones?

Also, is the op 48 no 1 the hardest nocturne, or is there any harder one?

Thanks!

[megadodd]

Yes it's the or one of the hardest nocturnes to play. Depending on the induvidual, but from a general perspective, obviously it is one of the most challenging nocturnes.

I think you can play the Scherzo, it is the easier one. And it's alot of repeated sections, so even though it is pretty long, it's not that much to learn.
I never learned it properly, but the technical challanges it brings aren't as demanding as the other 3 scherzos.

The question you have to ask yourself is, with how much ease do you play the other pieces you play? The Scherzo is harder than the Nocturne.. did you have alot of trouble with it and do you still fall apart sometimes during the sections you find hardest with it?
Then perhaps it's not very suitable. If you love a piece and want to play it, don't get to eager because you will regret starting it in the future when you could do something much more with it.

[beebert]

I think that what megadodd says here is pretty wise. The Nocturne is a very difficult piece but not quite as demanding as the Scherzo. You could always try the Scherzo, it's should be somewhat within you grasp. As for the Barcarolle, I don't really know, but looking at the score it seems to use a quite similar technique as the Nocturne's doppio movimento section, perhaps it's a bit harder though. Both pieces are longer than the Nocturne at least Anyway, if I were you, I would try, but don't be disappointed if they are too hard, they are two very challenging pieces, and a little bit harder than the Op 48 no 1.

If you want some Etudes to study before(which is always good), then I would suggest op 25 no 1, which can help you as a preparation for the Scherzo. Also I would suggest op 10 no 12, good for left hand technique. Both should definitely be within you reach, as they are both easier than the Nocturne op 48 no 1.

[teccomin]

Yes you are ready, at least technically. But playing a longer piece requires something different, but you have to start somewhere! I think Scherzo 2 is a good place to start.

[beebert]

I still think you should tackle any of the two etudes I mentioned before attempting the Scherzo..