What to play next?

[jugular]

I'm just about to finish Beethoven's Op.13:  only two more pages to learn from the third movement! I recently worked on Liebestraum No.3 and Chopin's Op.66, so I'm not exactly sure what I want to do next. I feel as if I should stray away from romantic music and try some baroque, classical and modern repertoire, seeing as I've never really played much works from those periods. I was thinking a prelude and fugue from the WTC or something by Debussy or Prokofiev would be interesting to do, but I'm not exactly sure. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[j_menz]

You can never go wrong with a Bach Prelude and Fugue.

[iratior]

I think that, after playing the Pathetique, you need something of a style and key distinctly different.  But to judge from the layout of pieces in the WTC, Bach thought a piece in minor key could be well followed by one in the major key a half step up.   Here's a couple of "stream-of-consciousness" sequences for you:

        Bach G-maj. p & f WTC vol. 1             Bach, Toccata in E-minor
        Pathetique Sonata                            Pathetique Sonata
        Scarlatti, Bb maj. K57                        Handel, F-minor suite
        Scarlatti, G min. K4                           Chopin Nocturne, opus 15 no. 1
        Chopin Prelude, C maj.                       Chopin Etude, op. 10 no. 7
        Chopin Prelude, A min.                        Liszt Consolation Ab maj.
        Chopin Prelude, G maj.                        Debussy, "Gardens in the Rain"
        Chopin Etude, E minor                        Debussy, "Masques"
        Debussy, Clair de Lune                       Scarlatti, A min., K. 175
        Debussy, L'Isle Joyeuse

I have to admit I've never formally studied the subject of what pieces should be played with what others, but could enjoy going to a concert where either of the above was the program.
        
        

[lorditachijr]

What other classical sonatas have you played? I've found that one of the most efficient ways of working (for me at least) is to go straight from one classical sonata to another, but NOT by the same composer. My personal suggestion would be to either do a Clementi or one of the lesser known by Haydn. If you're in the mood for another minor key sonata, the Haydn B Minor is fantastic.

The other suggestions are also really great. A prelude and fugue would do well. If you've already done two or three of them, I'd be inclined to point you towards some of the dance suites (French/English Suites, Partitas, etc.). Then there's also the Italian Concerto, but I really think you should have some other Bach done before you get to it. If you are looking for a non-Bach baroque work, the Handel Fantasia in C Major is a magnificent piece of music, and I would guess it's about your level (I played it along with the 3rd movement of the Pathetique and the Fantaisie). It doesn't look as note-y as the other two, but pulling off a convincing performance is very difficult.

As far as Debussy, the usual starters are the Reverie and the Arabesques. After that, I'd say some of the preludes would be good. Debussy is deceptively hard.

If you really have a hankering for Prokofiev, there are several of his pieces that aren't (quite so) fiendishly difficult. Many of the Visions Fugitives are accessible, as are the Tales of the Old Grandmother. The Sarcasms are also an option, but they're (in my opinion) a bit harder than the other two groups.

I hope that I was able to help a little! Please update us with what you decide to play.

[lorditachijr]

Sorry to double post, but I'd like to say that iratior's suggestion of the Handel F Minor Suite is a great one if you've already done some Bach P&F's. It's a wonderful piece, but it is also very hard!

[patrickd]

How about a prelude and fugue by Dimitri Shostakovich.

[49410enrique]

... I've found that one of the most efficient ways of working (for me at least) is to go straight from one classical sonata to another, but NOT by the same composer. My personal suggestion would be to either do a Clementi or one of the lesser known by Haydn. If you're in the mood for another minor key sonata, the Haydn B Minor is fantastic. ...

wonderful advice! also, not sure why he is so 'neglected' (i.e. he was one of THE piano virtuosos of his time and MOST of his works were written for piano, good number of sonatas, 8 concertos , many others...), but I think hummel should be explored, perhaps more difficult at times than Haydn but in terms of classical tradition (borderline romanticism), i love his sonatas, you mentioned a minor work, though I really like his no 2 (major key), this one is quite nice and might be worth exploring (YT will suggest the other movements if interested), she plays this beautifully

[pianoboy91]

The Khachaturian Toccata in E-flat minor is really nice. I would also recommend Reflets Dans L'Eau by Debussy (From Images, I) it is pretty difficult though. The Rachmaninoff Etude-Tableau and/or Preludes are also very interesting.

[lovevision]

[squarevince]

I'm a big fan of Bartok, try his Suite Op 14 or Allegro Barbaro.  180 degrees from the stuff you're playing now.  A lot of fun, for sure.

Otherwise, you really can't go wrong with the above advice about doing some WTC P&Fs.  Try a couple of contrasting ones, one easy & one hard.  That will give you something meaty to chew on even while you have something else you can feel you've gained mastery of in just a few weeks.   even the easy ones you'll want to play again in 20 years time.