All this music

[Rachmanoinoff]

All this music, and so little time...

Anyway, It's too late to  ptactice and I don't wanna go to bed so I'll write a little question...

As I'm only 15 years old, I guess I have a pretty long piano/music life ahead of me.  But, at the age I'm in, I (of course) have to "prove" something (I guess) and by doing so I feel I need to play something loud and obnoxious.  You know what I mean?  

I want a repertoire that's unbelievable... NO MOZART.  NO BACH.  NOT EVEN BEETHOVEN.  I know, it's crazy, but I want a recital that's crazy... Lizt, Rachmaninoff... you get the point.  Can you all suggest some "impossible" (yet playable  ) pieces for me?

(And no offense to Bach or to Mozart)

Martin

[10Fingers]

Hi Martin,

I hope you don't just choose hard pieces only to prove that you're a fine pianist. However, if you don't like Bach or Mozart, I understand you, but I know a few people who just want to show their fine technique and forget about the musical idea. I hope you're different. Of course, it's normal to be ambitious but never forget why you're playing the piano.

My opinion is, that it is sometimes much harder to make an easier piece sound interesting to other people. My teacher often gives me very easy pieces as she wants to figure out what I can do with them. Besides all technical things, that's what makes you a good pianist and musician in general.

Nobody doubt (neither I do) that you can play fine but your main focus should be on the musical aspect.

However, if you really want to play difficult pieces, I suggest you the sonatas or the "Allegro-Barbaro" ( that name sais everything) by Bartok or even the sonatas by Prokoffjiew or Rachmaninoff.

greetings, Thi.

[rachfan]

Rachmanoinoff, consider Chopin's little Prelude No. 7 in A .  It looks like the easiest piece in the world to play, yet thousands of pianists have spent a lifetime trying to execute one single perfect performance of that deceptive piece.  Sometimes the seemingly simplest pieces are the hardest, in that there is no place for the pianist to hide.    

[xenia]

Try Prokofiev sonata a minor ( I think it's op20).
It's realy crazy!!!And beautiful too!I played,and there is some liryc parts,but mainly is crazy.I love that piece!

 

[tosca1]

Hi Martin,
Liszt and Rachmaninoff are very mainstream composers for the piano which thousands and thousands of pianists  play.  Why not look at piano music that is a little quirky and unusual?

You could look at doing an all American programme such as George Gershwin's three preludes for piano which are very stylish and could certainly show your pianistic skills.  There are also George G's delightful piano arrangements of his own songs which are witty and very pianistic.  If you want to show off some bravura technique have a go at Louis Gottschalk's "The Banjo" which is not too difficult but sounds brilliant and showy.

Put a programme together around a theme and think outside of the square.

Have fun!
Robert.  

[Zigma]

Another one that you might wanna try is Shostakovitch.  He's not one of the more well-known composers, like Bach and whatnot, but his pieces are really good and fun to play.

[Remon]

Hey Martin!

I'm 16 years old (quite young as well), and I know how exciting and challenging it is to virtuoso music of Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Chopin etc.
But I really need to say that the most difficult music to play (well it's my opinion), is the music by Bach and other music from this period.
You can't hide yourself here by using much pedal or by showing technical bravoura.
With this music, it really comes to musicality and consciousness of what you are playing. And the polyphonic structures make your brain work most of the time!  
But again I have to admit; it's really challenging and fun to play virtuoso music!

Then I've got only one more thing to say:
EVERYBODY can play loud and fast, it's not a serious achievement.  
So if you want to impress an audience, let music become alive and touch people with it.

Good luck with your recital!  

Greetz, Remon

[Rachmanoinoff]

Thanks everyone...

You know, you all changed my heart.  (as corny as that sounds!)  I now have a completely different view on "difficult" music, and I'm really touched by the fact that you were able to change that.  

Bach+Mozart, here I come!!