need help getting to the next level

[gschnettler]

Hi.  I consider myself an intermediate pianist.  I can play just about anything in the Schirmer Sonatina book without much difficulty as well as the Bach 2 part inventions, the first part of the Moonlight Sonata and some of the slower Chopiin and Scriabin preludes.  I also play a lot of new age piano solos.

I would like to play the faster preludes and etudes by Chopin, Rachmaninov and Scriabin.  I dream of playing Chopin's Scherzo #2 someday.  But, those pieces are too advanced for my current skill level.  For example, I can play the first page of Rachmaninov Prelude Op23 #5 but then I really struggle through the next part.  

So, I am looking for some things to practice that will get me to a more advanced level.  I was thinking of perhaps trying some Sonatas by Beethoven, Mozart, Hadyn, Schubert and Schumman but I'm not sure where to start.  I prefer music that has some excitement or mystery.  

Can you please recommend some pieces that are somewhat difficult which will prepare me for Chopin, Rachmaninov and Scriabin (and perhaps Lizst someday).

Thanks,
      Gary

[pianoplunker]

Hi.  I consider myself an intermediate pianist.  I can play just about anything in the Schirmer Sonatina book without much difficulty as well as the Bach 2 part inventions, the first part of the Moonlight Sonata and some of the slower Chopiin and Scriabin preludes.  I also play a lot of new age piano solos.

I would like to play the faster preludes and etudes by Chopin, Rachmaninov and Scriabin.  I dream of playing Chopin's Scherzo #2 someday.  But, those pieces are too advanced for my current skill level.  For example, I can play the first page of Rachmaninov Prelude Op23 #5 but then I really struggle through the next part.  

So, I am looking for some things to practice that will get me to a more advanced level.  I was thinking of perhaps trying some Sonatas by Beethoven, Mozart, Hadyn, Schubert and Schumman but I'm not sure where to start.  I prefer music that has some excitement or mystery.  

Can you please recommend some pieces that are somewhat difficult which will prepare me for Chopin, Rachmaninov and Scriabin (and perhaps Lizst someday).

Thanks,
      Gary

How about the entire Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven ? 

[danhuyle]

How about the entire Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven ? 

+1

I remember being in that spot back in 2004 in my first year studying music.

In my first year I played,

Bach Prelude and Fugue in G major from book 2
Mozart Sonata k284 1st movement
Chopin Nocturne in F minor Op55 no1
Debussy Preludes book 1 Preludes no1 and 6 (delphic dancers and footprints in the snow)

[camille101]

Hi
I think it would be a good idea to have a few different pieces when wishing to move up a level.  I would suggest a few baroque or study pieces as well as the mysterious/exciting pieces you desire.
If you have played the two-part inventions, I suggest you start on the three-part sinfonias.  Some (e.g. no.2, no.13) are no harder technically than the inventions, but present a challenge in voicing and coordination between the hands.  These will improve you technique.
As for the Romantic/20th Century works - there are many popular Debussy pieces you could look at.  The entire Suite Bergamasque may take a bit of work, but at your level, only the menuet may be too difficult.  Also, look at the Children's Corner - many nice pieces here, and the first arabesque.  Remember that Debussy requires a sense of colour and mystery in most of his works.
Some Scriabin preludes may be within your grasp (the Op.11/4, 11/2).
Good Luck.

[scherzo123]

In my first year I played,

Bach Prelude and Fugue in G major from book 2
Mozart Sonata k284 1st movement
Chopin Nocturne in F minor Op55 no1
Debussy Preludes book 1 Preludes no1 and 6 (delphic dancers and footprints in the snow)

How does this help gschnettler? Anyway...the scherzo no. 2 is a cool piece  . Some pieces:

Bach Preludes and Fugues BWV846 ,BWV847, and BWV854
Bach Sinfonias
Mozart Piano Sonatas No.5 K283 (1st mvt.), No.10 K330 (1st mvt.), and No.11 K331 (3rd mvt.), No.16 K545
Beethoven Moonlight Sonata (Full, like other people advised), Pathetique Sonata (Full, 1st mvt. maybe a bit of a challenge)
Schubert Impromptus Op.90 No.2, Op.90 No.3, Op.90 No.4, Op.143 No.2
Chopin Prelude Op.28 No.15
Chopin Etudes Op.10 No.9 and Op.25 No.9
Chopin Fantasie-Imrpomptu Op.66
Liszt Liebestraum No.2
Liszt Consolation No.3
Schumann Fantasiestucke Op.12 No.1 and Op.12 No.2
Schumann Kinderszenen Op.15
Schumann Romance Op.28 No.2
Chopin Nocturnes Op.9 No.1, Op.9 No.2, Op.32 No.1, Op.55 No.1
Debussy Preludes, Images, Children's Corner, Estampes, Suite Bergamasque, and Pour Le Piano
Scriabin Preludes Op.11 No.1, Op.11 No.4, and Op.11 No.11
Rachmaninoff Preludes Op.3 No.2, Op.32 No.5

...sorry if some of the pieces are a little too challenging. 

[gschnettler]

Thank you for the suggestions.  This gives me plenty of new things to work on.  I really appreciate it.

- Gary

[chopin2015]

How bout some Chopin Valses?

and yes, the whole Moonlight sonata

[ladychopin]

how can you all advice him to learn the full moonlight. please explain that to me. the last mov. in so  fast, i always figure the a very small group of pianists in the world can play it.

[chopin2015]

Because it is important to set large goals for yourself?

[scherzo123]

Because it is important to set large goals for yourself?

+1

[chopin2015]

how can you all advice him to learn the full moonlight. please explain that to me. the last mov. in so  fast, i always figure the a very small group of pianists in the world can play it.

Just because a piece is fast does not mean that it is hardly accessible. If you practice right you will learn many things and when you are ready it will just naturally come out. How long it takes a person to get there is always different though. You know?

[pytheamateur]

So you already play some slow Chopin?  You will certainly get to the next level when you have realised that slow Chopin does not mean easy Chopin.  It's a real challenge to be able to get the melody sing. Try his Nocturne in C sharp minor as a start.  The notes are not difficult to learn; you can probably play them.  There are a scale run at the end, so there's some fast stuff as well.  You might like this piece.   

[pianoplunker]

how can you all advice him to learn the full moonlight. please explain that to me. the last mov. in so  fast, i always figure the a very small group of pianists in the world can play it.

I mentioned it because the OP wrote that he already plays the first movement. The last movement is a very good example of Sonata recapitulation of the first movement.  Although it is meant be played fast, there are no large leaps or wide stretches or complex fingering .  I think it would make the OP a better pianist to be able to accomplish an entire Sonata of any kind.  As far as speed, it seems you can play it fast, faster, or even faster and it wont lose the connection as a recap of the first movement. Also you'll know after playing the first passage of the last movement if you are using a truly flexible and relaxed technique.

[pytheamateur]

how can you all advice him to learn the full moonlight. please explain that to me. the last mov. in so  fast, i always figure the a very small group of pianists in the world can play it.

The third movement was apparently a Grade 8 piece some time ago.  The whole sonata was on the DipAbrsm syllabus, meaning first year conservatory students are expected to be able to play it.  This is certainly not a "very small group of pianists in the world".