What is your ultimate goal piece?

[jugular]

What piece(s) of music do you ultimately want to learn? Something that will allow you to die happily being able to say "Yeah I can finally play _____". For me it's a tie between Chopin's Ballade No.4 Op.52 and Rach's 2nd/3rd Piano Concerto. I feel that once I can execute those pieces with an ounce of justice I can smile happily, dance a little and pat myself on the back. This isn't to say I won't strive to learn other pieces after I learn those pieces, but I will be greatly satisfied knowing that I have reached a long term goal of mine.

[davidjosepha]

Rach sonata no. 1 and Liszt B minor sonata are the two that come to mind.

I really love listening to concertos, but I'm not sure I'll ever even play one. I'm such a nervous wreck trying to perform alone, imagine how nervous I'd be knowing that an entire orchestra is counting on me! But if I were to do a concerto, Rach 1-3 are great, and Prokofiev 2

[mikeowski]

Either Beethovens op 35, 15 variations with fugue, or the Goldberg variations.

[scherzo123]

...I have one from almost every standard or "famous" composer:
Bach Goldberg Variations
Beethoven "Waldstein" Piano Sonata Op.53
Schubert "Wanderer" Fantasy
Chopin Piano Sonata Op. 58
Liszt Sonata in B Minor
Brahms Piano Sonata Op.5
Scriabin Piano Sonata Op.68
Rachmaninoff Piano Sonata Op.36
Prokofiev Piano Sonata Op.82

[chauncey]

Liszt Transcendental Etude no. 4 "Mazeppa" is mine.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Rach sonata no. 1 and Liszt B minor sonata are the two that come to mind.

I really love listening to concertos, but I'm not sure I'll ever even play one. I'm such a nervous wreck trying to perform alone, imagine how nervous I'd be knowing that an entire orchestra is counting on me! But if I were to do a concerto, Rach 1-3 are great, and Prokofiev 2

Swag in the freaking bag!

Rach 3

Rach sonata for Cello and Piano

Prokofiev 2

Too lazy to type up the rest.

[scherzo123]

Chamber music counts? Then...

Brahms Piano Quartet Op.60
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.3
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.3

[49410enrique]

oh gosh where do i begin...

i'll just 'reach in the bag and pull one out' yeah this one is amongst the many

[perprocrastinate]

I am so lucky that most concertos don't appeal to me. Rach 3 will never have the chance of torturing me.

I could probably be satisfied when I can play Alkan's Concerto for Solo Piano. My limit will probably be set somewhere far below that level, unfortunately for me.

[g_s_223]

Hmm, Liszt's Feux Follets is one piece which seems dauntingly far from my current skill level: a remarkable work.

[j_menz]

Cage's 4'33. It's the one piece I'll be able to keep on playing long after I'm fertiliser.

[patrickd]

Bach-Busoni Chaconne in d minor

[ajspiano]

..I don't think I have one anymore. Just an ongoing list.

When I was little I was all about learning beethoven op 27 no 2 mov 3. - but I ousted that one a pretty long time ago. I remember being exceedingly proud of myself for that.

[davidjosepha]

..I don't think I have one anymore. Just an ongoing list.

Well what's at the end of the list, huh? Some Sorabji piece, I'm sure.  I just listened to Opus Claviwhatever for the first time earlier today. Had some pretty cool parts, but a lot of it just seemed unnecessarily complicated.

[david456103]

Reminiscences De Don Juan. That is my favorite piano piece.

[ajspiano]

Well what's at the end of the list, huh?

I have no idea, there is too much music that i have not listened to..

..ambiguous response..  ..sorry

[j_menz]

I have no idea, there is too much music that i have not listened to..

..ambiguous response..  ..sorry

It is also quite possible that it hasn't even been written yet, anway.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

It is also quite possible that it hasn't even been written yet, anway.

My true goal piece(s) are...

all 48 WTC preludes and fugues.

[j_menz]

My true goal piece(s) is...

all 48 WTC preludes and fugues.

[outin]

Chopin: Sonata nro 3

And also Allegro De Concert (not his best music but how cool would it be to be able to play it)

[ajspiano]

It is also quite possible that it hasn't even been written yet, anway.

I did consider mentioning that the list is limitless if one's owns compositions and future works are considered.

[davidjosepha]

I did consider mentioning that the list is limitless if one's owns compositions and future works are considered.

For all practical purposes, it's limitless even if you don't include those

[outin]

Chopin: Sonata nro 3

And also Allegro De Concert (not his best music but how cool would it be to be able to play it)

BTW. Please tell me:

Which piece is harder?
How many years/hours do I have to practice before I can do it?

[davidjosepha]

BTW. Please tell me:

Which piece is harder?
How many years/hours do I have to practice before I can do it?

I would guess the sonata is harder, but I don't know. Let's consult the handy-dandy Hele scale.

On Henle's scale, Allegro de concert is an 8 (out of 9), and the sonata is a 9. I think a difference of a full number between two pieces of the same composer would be relatively accurate.

How many years/hours? Depends on how quick of a learner you are, how efficiently you practice, how attentive you are during practice, and all that. Which is to say, I have no idea.

[outin]

I would guess the sonata is harder, but I don't know. Let's consult the handy-dandy Hele scale.

On Henle's scale, Allegro de concert is an 8 (out of 9), and the sonata is a 9. I think a difference of a full number between two pieces of the same composer would be relatively accurate.

How many years/hours? Depends on how quick of a learner you are, how efficiently you practice, how attentive you are during practice, and all that. Which is to say, I have no idea.

I can't believe someone actually fell for that! 

[davidjosepha]

I can't believe someone actually fell for that! 

Considering the number of questions like this on Piano Street, you shouldn't feel too proud of yourself for making me think you were serious.

[outin]

Considering the number of questions like this on Piano Street, you shouldn't feel too proud of yourself for making me think you were serious.

Maybe just a tiny little bit? Please...?  

EDIT:
This is a serious question, which I have sometimes thought about (but obviously unable to do empirical research):

Do you think it is easier to play a piece of about 25 min with 4 movements or a piece of 15 min without any pauses between the movements?

[bachrach]

Scriabin's Piano Concerto
Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2
Chopin's Ballade #4 (Which I'm currently working on =D)

[danhuyle]

Liszt Concert Etude no2 in F minor La Leggierezza

[unholeee]

scales and arpeggios LOL.

or maybe learning more than the first page, bars not greater than the number of fingers i have.

-

but probably the pieces i first ever heard when i picked up the piano.

scherzo in b minor - just looked at the sheet music and doesn't look as hard as i once thought a year ago (maybe i need glasses... as i'm sure its still ridiculous)
ballade 1
the g sharp minor polonaise too
some rach preludes - properly anyway
maybe a bit of ravel - or not
some atonal stuff.
then the other 100 composers ive never bothered to listen to yet. bach d minor fugue etc, profkjjfokievvoffvoevv something, mozart... beethoven???

hopefully dont die young.

[nanabush]

-Prokofiev Toccata... the finger independence in this boggles my mind.
-Ravel Gaspard de la Nuit
-Lyapunov Lezghinka (if you haven't heard this piece, look it up... extremely cool)

...those would be pretty cool to add to my repertoire, but unfortunately they are difficult as hell ahaha

[emrysmerlin]

I understand the idea of having an ultimate piece which you can learn to play and die happily. Consider this though: unless you have a sight-reading technique comparable to John Ogdon's, it is very likely that you'll eventually get bored with that particular piece.

I do have 1 single "ultimate goal piece", but it wouldn't be on the piano. Instead I'll be the conductor. 

[scherzo123]

Maybe just a tiny little bit? Please...?  

EDIT:
This is a serious question, which I have sometimes thought about (but obviously unable to do empirical research):

Do you think it is easier to play a piece of about 25 min with 4 movements or a piece of 15 min without any pauses between the movements?

What's on your repertoire? Those two pieces are REALLY hard. Judging by looking at some of the pieces on your signature, you really shouldn't look at those. Also, instead of keeping on lucking at very difficult pieces, you should focus on finishing the pieces you are learning right now first.

[outin]

What's on your repertoire? Those two pieces are REALLY hard. Judging by looking at some of the pieces on your signature, you really shouldn't look at those. Also, instead of keeping on lucking at very difficult pieces, you should focus on finishing the pieces you are learning right now first.

Come on... would I really? 

I doubt if I will ever be able to play anything on this level, but it's good to have goals (as in 20 years), right?


I was just generally asking whether people think having several relatively long movements makes the piece easier than having a slightly shorter piece but without any pauses. Being of course an individual thing I guess.

[davidjosepha]

What's on your repertoire? Those two pieces are REALLY hard. Judging by looking at some of the pieces on your signature, you really shouldn't look at those. Also, instead of keeping on lucking at very difficult pieces, you should focus on finishing the pieces you are learning right now first.

I don't think she was planning on learning them in the near future, hence "goal pieces".

[williampiano]

At some point I want to learn Vers la flamme by Scriabin. I am a long way off from this one now, but maybe in a decade or so I'll be able to play at a reasonably good level. 

There's quite a lengthy list of other pieces that I'd like to learn, but I suppose next to Vers la flamme, my next big goal is to learn to play both movements of Sonata op. 111 by Beethoven.

Edit: After thinking about it a little longer, I decided I had to add Piano Quintet in f minor by Franck to the list also.

[camille101]

La Valse is on my mind.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Sorabji's Opus Clavicembalisticum is pretty charming.

I have yet to buy the score.  So I haven't made the investment yet.

[davidjosepha]

Sorabji's Opus Clavicembalisticum is pretty charming.

I have yet to buy the score.  So I haven't made the investment yet.

It's like 300 pages. That's ridiculous.

And now Alistair is gonna come in here and say, "Actually, it's only 267 pages.

Best,

Alistair"

Either way, it's reallllllllllly long.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

It's like 300 pages. That's ridiculous.

And now Alistair is gonna come in here and say, "Actually, it's only 267 pages.

Best,

Alistair"

Either way, it's reallllllllllly long.

But you would get soooooooooooooooooo many bragging rights!

Just imagine when you're introducing yourself to a class, or you're in an interview, or on a first date.

Some kid:  so...  Tell me a little about yourself?

Me:  I can play a freaking 300 page piece of music!!!!  I'm better than all of you!  I am god!

*flips table and walks out the room with style*

Some kid:  We'll hire you!



No but yeah, a lot of people really hate Sorabji and Schoenberg, but I like them.  You just gotta give them some time, they'll grow on you.

[davidjosepha]

No but yeah, a lot of people really hate Sorabji and Schoenberg, but I like them.  You just gotta give them some time, they'll grow on you.

I don't mind him. I actually like what I've heard of him, but I don't like him 300 pages worth. Somewhere in my head I have a graph of results vs effort, and Sorabji is nowhere near the Vicky Mendoza diagonal.

[asuhayda]

Rach Sonata 2...  but I should probably focus on easier stuff right now.  Maybe in a year or two.  I'm also liking that Prokofiev Toccata in d minor.

[ciscoj33]

For me it would be Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no 2.  Every single note of the score is in my head.  Unfortunately, not every single note is under my hands......and may never be.  But I can say without any hesitation whatsoever that til my dying breath.....or my hands are no longer able to function.....I will always be working on that most magnificent score. 

[emrysmerlin]

I'll buy OC only if it's played by Mr.Powell.

But as a goal piece which I have to play it that is way too far

[werq34ac]

I'd say late Beethoven Sonatas. I've made it my life goal to be able to understand late Beethoven.


That and Chopin 3rd Sonata.


I also want to play
Bach: Partitas, I never got to finish Bb major... maybe after auditions
Mozart: hmmm.. I don't have any ambitions with Mozart. I would love to play the 2 piano sonata with someone though.
Beethoven: late sonatas, as I said.
Schubert: sonatas, kinda like how I feel about Beethoven.
Chopin: 3rd Sonata, Barcarolle, Ballade 4 seem to be my goal pieces.
Liszt: Sonata, Mepisto waltzes
Schumann: Fantasie, Humoresque
Brahms: Piano concerti
Debussy: Poisson D'Or, the preludes
Ravel: Gaspard I guess, La valse, maybe Tombeau
Scriabin: Sonatas 4 and 5, concerto,
Rachmaninoff: 2nd Sonata,
Prokofiev: 2nd and 3rd concerto, Toccata, sonatas.

[chopin2015]

Really just the stuff I am working on right now like Ondine-Ravel and some Chopin etudes that I seem to have no time for and Schumann that I picked out recently but have not engaged too much in since. I am very interested in many Beethoven sonatas, but especially some works for violin and piano. Then there is always Chopin. I have a copy of the 1st concerto. I have a TON of ravel, and after Ondine...who knows. I am so in love with Liszt's mephisto valse. I am going to secretly work on it because I heard a piano student at the school play it and she gave me many ideas. Just want to pass my audition and then I am positive I will have time and place for more etudes. Oh who cares.

[49410enrique]

...am very interested in many Beethoven sonatas, but especially some works for violin and piano. ...I heard a piano student at the school play ...I will have time and place for more ...

now you have even less time
https://www.mediafire.com/?qyb6qu2w31j3r5h,5u7888idh41pshh,t79u4xr2564fvar,ttb9u2c5w1ikm33,mdwqpjzwk8xo6z2,ufoxkzpnqhex9as

get them while they're "hot"
*legal speak-works and editions are PD

what school? are you at UT? great piano happenings there, i like your practice rooms, some good little steinway grands in them (some better than others but you guys must have a great tech or techs on board, the actions seem to always feel nice despite their heavy use), those "sound proof"-ish little rooms upstairs are cool. (i've gone there to practice some and when i've played for other folk's auditions )

[ranniks]

To be able to play anything by Bach.

[chopin2015]

now you have even less time
https://www.mediafire.com/?qyb6qu2w31j3r5h,5u7888idh41pshh,t79u4xr2564fvar,ttb9u2c5w1ikm33,mdwqpjzwk8xo6z2,ufoxkzpnqhex9as

get them while they're "hot"
*legal speak-works and editions are PD

what school? are you at UT? great piano happenings there, i like your practice rooms, some good little steinway grands in them (some better than others but you guys must have a great tech or techs on board, the actions seem to always feel nice despite their heavy use), those "sound proof"-ish little rooms upstairs are cool. (i've gone there to practice some and when i've played for other folk's auditions )

You are so so so very awesome! I must send you a fruit basket!

[cadenza14224]

Surprisingly I don't have the desire to play a concerto; it seems way to nerve-racking to synchronize with an orchestra.

Dreaming for: Rachmaninoff Sonata No. 2, Schubert Sonata D.960, & All Chopin/Rachmaninoff Etudes

In Reality: Brahms' Hungarian Dances (especially No. 1)(Piano Solo), Scriabin Prelude Op. 13, No. 6, and Chopin Scherzo No. 1 are ones I truly want to finish with finesse before I turn 30...and anything afterwards, we'll see.