Piano piece for talent show

[lava852]

Hello,

I need some suggestions for a piano piece I can play at a talent show. I recently passed my ABRSM grade 8 piano exam with honours, so I am able to play more advanced pieces. I want suggestions for a classical/romantic piece that sounds spectacular. I wanted to play Fantasy Impromptu by Chopin but I find the 4 treble notes to 3 bass clef notes literally impossible to master. I want a piece that sounds as fantastic and melodious. Obviously I can't play any pieces that are too difficult. Also, I'm looking at minute waltz, but that piece seems too simple and quick. I need something that sounds as good as fantasy impromptu because I have a friend who is entering the same talent show as me with that particular piece. Although time is not a big factor, I would prefer something under 6 minutes. I have about 4 or 5 months until I have to perform. Thanks!!

[thesuineg]

You're gonna have to learn 4 on 3 some time...im surprised not before grade 8.
Well its a talent show, do you have other talents, especially since a friend seems to be doing the same thing? Maybe a composition. I actually wouldn't recommend that lol.

fantastic melodious:
play the E minor Sonata Grieg


or uh...
fur elise?(sorry if i underestimate you)
one of the 1st 3 chopin nocturnes...
hard to think of pieces aroound the impromptu's level haha...they always harder or easer :/  - schubert b flat major variations
some mozart sonata (alla turka is actually suprisingly fun while most people think its overrated)

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I would suggest a Chopin etude. 

A long as you play loud and fast, you'll do fine.

[j_menz]

I would suggest a Chopin etude. 

A long as you play loud and fast, you'll do fine.

Ah yes - 10/3 fortississimo e molto prestissimo, what could possibly go wrong. 

To OP - how about one of the Schubert impromptus, or Beethoven's Rage over a Lost Penny?

[perprocrastinate]

One of the Liszt Transcendental Etudes?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

One of the Liszt Transcendental Etudes?

Okay now let's not go overkill.

This is just a talent show.

[lava852]

To OP - how about one of the Schubert impromptus, or Beethoven's Rage over a Lost Penny?
[/quote]


That Beethoven song sounds pretty cool!

[iansinclair]

Schubert Op. 90 #4?  Sounds frightfully difficult, and looks spectacular -- and isn't really all that hard.  At your level, anyway...  #3 (G flat) is actually more difficult, in my opinion, but doesn't have the bling factor (it's really a beautiful piece, though).  The first Chopin Nocturne (B flat minor, Op. 9 no. 1) is really really lovely; technically not all that hard (although getting the octaves in the B section really smooth isn't easy, either) but is -- like all Nocturnes -- difficult to get really musically right; to get the emotional involvement.  And, like most Nocturnes, is a little short on bling as well.

On the whole I think I'd pick Op. 90 #4...

[lava852]

I value everyone's opinions, but I would prefer the piece to be under 6 minutes, as to not bore the crowd too much. The listeners aren't exactly piano experts

And the schubert Impromptu sounds great but it's over 8 minutes long

[teran]

Chopin Etude op 25 #12 commonly known as "Ocean"

[thesixthsensemusic]

Agreed on the Schubert impromptus, they sound diabolically difficult but actually aren't. If average people hear the op. 90 no. 2 or no. 4 played at slightly higher pace than necessary, they will automatically think you are a piano god. No. 2 is shorter than 6 minutes, and no. 4 can easily be shortened by omitting the repetitions asked for in the mid part, and you'd be able to finish in under 6 minutes.

Chopin op. 25-12? WAY more difficult than the F.I., I doubt you can manage this if the F.I. has some parts you can't get right.

Rage Over A Lost Penny? Hmm, well it is a rapid little piece but for some reason I don't find it nearly as impressive as some works with a similar length. I would one that is not too long, or can be shorted by omitting a repetition or even skipping the mid part, and sounds really virtuoso-like. Mozart sonatas, IMHO, do NOT sound virtuoso-like either, but instead are subtle and transparent, as are Chopin's Nocturnes, even though some of them are just as difficult as the F.I.

How about one of these:
Mendelssohn's Spinning Song
Chopin's Prelude op. 28 no. 24 (it sounds, and is, extremely difficult but all difficulties are just a bar long and few in number, and rather repeated the entire piece with only slight changes - you can check out a brilliant tutorial of it on Youtube that will sort you out)

3rd part of the Moonlight Sonata
First part of the Pathétique (both without repeating the A-part to shorten them)
First movement of Bach's Italian Concerto
Chopin's Scherzo no. 2 (without the middle part, so start at the repetition of the first part afterwards, and move straight to the outro)
Chopin's Waltzes op. 34 no. 1 or op. 18
Rachmaninoff's transcription of Flight Of The Bumble Bee (I REALLY hate it myself but audiences seem to like it, a pianist from Norway played it in one of the later stages of a nation-wide TV talent show and actually won that particular episode, against pop singers).

[vsrinivasa]

Pretty much everything listed except Transcendental Etudes are fair game. I agree about Schubert impromptus, and several Beethoven sonatas have impressive virtuosic parts.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Pretty much everything listed except Transcendental Etudes are fair game.

Unless of course if you could learn and get one to performance level REALLY fast.

[davidjosepha]

I hate be a wet towel, but grade 8 with honors doesn't mean this guy is ready for the Liszt transcendental etudes or Chopin 25/12. I know it's fun to talk about cool pieces that would be really really cool to pull off for a talent show, but something he could actually pull off would be a better start.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I hate be a wet towel, but grade 8 with honors doesn't mean this guy is ready for the Liszt transcendental etudes or Chopin 25/12. I know it's fun to talk about cool pieces that would be really really cool to pull off for a talent show, but something he could actually pull off would be a better start.

Hey do you remember that thread I made about contracting STD's from playing Prokofiev because someone passed his level 8 exam?

[vsrinivasa]

Hey do you remember that thread I made about contracting STD's from playing Prokofiev because someone passed his level 8 exam?

How do you contract STDs by playing Prokofiev after passing grade 8?

[j_menz]

I hate be a wet towel

Why, it actually suits you - a surprising voice of reason. 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

How do you contract STDs by playing Prokofiev after passing grade 8?

I made a thread a while back ranting about grade levels.  I'll see if I can find it for you.

[49410enrique]

hmm the Percy Grainger transcription of the Rachmaninoff Piano Concert No 2 Mvmnt III would work perfect in this scenario:

Grainger Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 III. Allegro scherzando
(from my soundcloud since I do not believe this recording is available for full play elsewhere)
https://soundcloud.com/scriabinoff/grainger-rachmaninov-piano

as 'cliche' as it can sometimes get, it is loved by many for a long time for a reason, it can be especially captivating in the right 'hands'.

if you can get over your need for a 'fast and flashy' feel (and by means do not let the slow/somber introduction fool you if you are not familiar with it. It builds up to its own version of dazzling, so it is not without its own amount of appropriate fanfare)
Rachmaninoff Op. 3 No. 2 In C Sharp Minor

it should be within your capabilities to knock this out in fairly short order, especially if you have access to sound instruction.

another very 'accessible' work (im not too fond of it but it seems popular nonetheless), is Reinholds Impromptu, many seem to use this as a stepping stone to Chopin Fantasie Impromptu

the following i'd put in the 'neo romantic'/modern 'tonal' category, and though not traditional 'classical' art music, they can be effective stage works (I have been championing these types of  trasncriptions lately to nice  response from audiences, teachers/professors, etc)
i'll  fulfill my duties as a ff [ and related miscellany ] fanboy
I played this paraphrase in a recital last December, and the audience (mix of 'musical ears' and not so 'musical' types), and they seemed to really enjoy it, it is A BLAST TO PLAY (really, one of the funnest things Ive studied, it also has good replay value, i.e. you can go back to it later and find money on the table, very pretty and memorable melody/tune)
Concert Paraphrase on ''Dearly Beloved'' - Piano Collections Kingdom Hearts

if you decide on this and show me you purchased the score, i'd be happy to provide scans of my score if you want some ideas of what me and my teacher worked out and wrote in as far as fingering, musical ideas/points of interest and other appropriate markings (if you are working on it on your own or just want to see someone's approach)

this piece is pretty awesome, and has nice contrast and does do a nice job of 'impressing', especially once the intro get done setting the tension. really nice energy in the back 2/3 of the piece. not too long. also with this type of venue/performance, these transcriptions tend to go over quite well with audiences, if your school is large enough to have a decent pocket of fans, you'll drive them nuts with something along these lines.
Piano Collections FINAL FANTASY IX 13 - The Final Battle

Song/Track Title: The Final Battle
Alternate Song/Track Title: Final Battle
Song Artist: Nobuo Uematsu
Album Artist: Nobuo Uematsu
Album Title: Piano Collections FINAL FANTASY IX
Song Composed By: Nobuo Uematsu
Album Composed By: Nobuo Uematsu
Genre: Soundtrack; Game
(Original Version) Date Released: January 24th, 2001
(Reprinted Version) Date Released: July 22nd, 2004
Track #: 13 of 14
Disc #: 1 of 1
(Original Version) Catalog #: SSCX-10048
(Reprinted Version) Catalog #: SQEX-10027


if you want an alternative, this one is less difficult that the Uematsu (but still not 'easy' it has its challenges from what Ive read in the score), but again for the ears/audience you have, this might go over well, similarly to the previous boss fight theme, this has a slower intro to set up some tension then lets the energy out, nice 'driving rhythms' makes these fun 'foot tappers' and talent shows are usually won by audience vote, so if you can play towards the end of the program you can leave an impression

Artist: Keiichi Okabe, Kakeru Ishihama, Keigo Hoashi
Title: Gods Bound by Rules
Album: Piano Collections NieR Gestalt & Replicant / ピアノコレクションズ ニーア ゲシュタルト＆レプリカント
Genre: Game
Year: 2012
Arranged By: Kumi Tanioka








*flies off

[davidjosepha]

Hey do you remember that thread I made about contracting STD's from playing Prokofiev because someone passed his level 8 exam?

haha I think I missed that one, although I remember someone referencing it a while ago. Link?

Edit: Is it this?

[davidjosepha]

Why, it actually suits you - a surprising voice of reason. 

If you think I'm a good wet towel, you should check out this j_menz guy

Secondly, Prokofiev cannot cause chlamidia.

You should make business cards..."J_Menz, Dream Crusher"

[teran]

Chopin op. 25-12? WAY more difficult than the F.I., I doubt you can manage this if the F.I. has some parts you can't get right.

It is much more difficult overall, yes, but at the same time what OP has difficulty with in FI is the polyrhythm, something that there is none of in Ocean.

[j_menz]

You should make business cards..."J_Menz, Dream Crusher"

Already have.

Oh, and if your dream is to catch chlamidia from playing Prokoffiev, best that be crushed as quickly as possible. 

[vsrinivasa]

Already have.

Oh, and if your dream is to catch chlamidia from playing Prokoffiev, best that be crushed as quickly as possible. 

Partly because that dream would never be fulfilled. Anyway, who wants to catch chlamidia?

[davidjosepha]

catch chlamidia from playing Prokoffiev

I'd settle for "while"

[j_menz]

I'd settle for "while"

Then I believe you are thinking more on the "catch" than the "chlamidia". 

I suspect in light of that the Prokoffiev becomes an optional extra best foregone.

[pianoplunker]

Hello,

I need some suggestions for a piano piece I can play at a talent show. I recently passed my ABRSM grade 8 piano exam with honours, so I am able to play more advanced pieces. I want suggestions for a classical/romantic piece that sounds spectacular. I wanted to play Fantasy Impromptu by Chopin but I find the 4 treble notes to 3 bass clef notes literally impossible to master. I want a piece that sounds as fantastic and melodious. Obviously I can't play any pieces that are too difficult. Also, I'm looking at minute waltz, but that piece seems too simple and quick. I need something that sounds as good as fantasy impromptu because I have a friend who is entering the same talent show as me with that particular piece. Although time is not a big factor, I would prefer something under 6 minutes. I have about 4 or 5 months until I have to perform. Thanks!!

How about a piano solo of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" - you would be one cool cat. It is in 5/4 but there are no disparate rhythms between treble and bass. If you must stay with classical, then how about "Le Coucou" by Daquin or "Restlessness" by Mendelsohnn ( from Songs without words ), Both of those are fast yet not complex. 

[vsrinivasa]

Pretty much everything listed except Transcendental Etudes are fair game. I agree about Schubert impromptus, and several Beethoven sonatas have impressive virtuosic parts.

You could do the third movement of the Moonlight Sonata; it's pretty impressive. The only problem is that it takes me 7.5 minutes to play it. Or you could try Chopin's Grande Valse Brillante, which doesn't sound quite as impressive but is just as "difficult".

[the89thkey]

I always played Liszt's Grand Galop Chromatique for talent shows in highschool. It blew everyone away. I doubt grade 8 technique is sufficient however (taking into account that you can't play Transcendentals) so maybe settle for something less virtuosic like a Hungarian Rhapsody. If you are good with octaves, go for 4 or 6 or something.

[phillip21]

Have a look at some of the 18 Burgmüller Op. 109 studies.  Though some are used as teaching material at lower grades than 8, they are all excellent music, and, played well, will keep any audience entertained.  If you are good at scales 'Les Perles' is quite a showpiece!

[liug_2012]

Play John Cage, 4'33" and the crowd will go wild.

[pts1]

Khachaturian Toccata

A serious talent show winner if played well.

Only moderately difficult it is extremely impressive to non-pianists and you would likely win
with a good performance.

[the89thkey]

(alla turka is actually suprisingly fun while most people think its overrated)

which it is...Yuja Wang's version is a little bit more interesting however

[pianoman53]

pfft! it's not even her version. You suck at trolling!

[slobone]

Rach c# minor prelude? I really don't think it's all that hard as long as you have strong arms. And it will wow for sure.

[fabrizzioreiv]

I also have an upcoming talent show. 

Through my experiences, I have come to learn that most middle schoolers would prefer pop or anything "loud" (which is "clappable") over classical music. 

Although I initially decided to play Czardas or Liszt's Arrangement of Danse Macabre, I recalled my experience in the past.*


*I played a Bach piece; my friend played "Sweet Home Alabama" on his guitar (the crowd clapped the rhythm and regularly shouted) and automatically won...With this being said, I would not recommend Classical music at a talent show if it cannot successfully impress "untrained ears."

[fabrizzioreiv]

I also have an upcoming talent show. 

Through my experiences, I have come to learn that most middle schoolers would prefer pop or anything "loud" (which is "clappable") over classical music. 

Although I initially decided to play Czardas or Liszt's Arrangement of Danse Macabre, I recalled my experience in the past.*


hjavascript:void(0);ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9Yxea6-CNU

*I played a Bach piece; my friend played "Sweet Home Alabama" on his guitar (the crowd clapped the rhythm and regularly shouted) and automatically won...With this being said, I would not recommend Classical music at a talent show if it cannot successfully impress "untrained ears."

[dcstudio]

Middle school?

Bumble boogie
Pirates of the Caribbean
Mvmt  3 of Moonlight Sonata
Linus and Lucy
Super Mario Medley
Twilight theme
Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull if you want classic rock
The entertainer or maple leaf rag

If you set out to impress them by playing what impresses you then you will lose them.  Give them what THEY want to hear and the rest will be history

[fabrizzioreiv]

Even if a I play one of those pieces, I believe students will prefer the band (which will play a rock song).

Below is my original list of pieces (some very dissonant):


Danse Macabre (Saint-Saens/Liszt/Horowitz)

Etude Op. 39, No. 12 - "Le Festin D'Esope" (Alkan)

Tocatta (Prokofiev)

Prelude Op. 28, No. 16 (Chopin)

Piano Sonata No. 7, Op. 83 (III) (Prokofiev)

Transcendental Etude No. 2 (Liszt)

Transcendental Etude No. 10 - "Appassionata" (Liszt)

Czardas (Monti/Erez)

Ballade No. 1 in G Minor (Chopin)

Fantasie Impromptu (Chopin)

Etude Op. 10, No. 12 - "Revolutionary" (Chopin)

Waltz Op. 64, No. 2 (Chopin)

[dcstudio]

That's a very ambitious list. You seem to be of the mindset that your fellow middle school students will prefer the rock band if you play something other than hard core super impressive repertoire. The vast majority of them do not have the affinity for this music that you do.  Their amazement at your playing will last as long as their attention span allows.
When I first started playing professionally I thought I had to impress the audience and oftentimes I lost them. The sad thing is people would rather hear Linus and Lucy then the transcendental etudes. The rock band won't be the "preferred" act because of the song they play. They will be preferred because they are a band with a visual component. The audience can be involved in the bands performance. They can stand up and sing. They can feel like they are at a rock concert. Trust me when I tell you that you can't beat that so don't try.  
Play something you like to play and that you can play well.

The vast difference in the levels of the pieces on your list is a bit odd.  I would say OP 64 no. 2 is far and away your best bet.
 You can pull these others off in a performance? And you are in middle school?  Wow you must be pretwty amazing. I would really enjoy hearing you play. Do you have any videos or a YT account?

[visitor]

That's a very ambitious list. You seem to be of the mindset that your fellow middle school students will prefer the rock band if you play something other than hard core super impressive repertoire. The vast majority of them do not have the affinity for this music that you do.  Their amazement at your playing will last as long as their attention span allows.
When I first started playing professionally I thought I had to impress the audience and oftentimes I lost them. The sad thing is people would rather hear Linus and Lucy then the transcendental etudes. The rock band won't be the "preferred" act because of the song they play. They will be preferred because they are a band with a visual component. The audience can be involved in the bands performance. They can stand up and sing. They can feel like they are at a rock concert. Trust me when I tell you that you can't beat that so don't try.  
Play something you like to play and that you can play well.

The vast difference in the levels of the pieces on your list is a bit odd.  I would say OP 64 no. 2 is far and away your best bet.
 You can pull these others off in a performance? And you are in middle school?  Wow you must be pretwty amazing. I would really enjoy hearing you play. Do you have any videos or a YT account?

agreed to above and previous posts to that by you as well! :-]
again chiming on the 'know the audience', if it's something they are familiar with or they can be involved ie choose the piece, that works too....ie
 poster fabrizzioreiv could solicit audience, it helps if you become Christopher O'Riley and arrange concert transcriptions of a ton of Radio Head and you know your audience likes Radio Head and jazz

[timothy42b]

I also have an upcoming talent show. 

Through my experiences, I have come to learn that most middle schoolers would prefer pop or anything "loud" (which is "clappable") over classical music. 

Although I initially decided to play Czardas or Liszt's Arrangement of Danse Macabre, I recalled my experience in the past.*
 

+10, and thank you for the common sense.

Almost none of the suggestions above are worth playing for any audience outside piano players. 

In a talent contest, you have a specific purpose.  It is not to create art, nor a sense of personal fulfillment.  It is to thrill an unsophisticated audience.  So you pick something that will appeal to them - this is a skill in itself - and that you can perform flawlessly, so nothing too hard. 

[fabrizzioreiv]

I have come to realize the responses to my question are very correct...along with (realization) the short attention span of the audience.  In addition to this, the band changed its piece to "Iron Man" and recruited a drummer. 

Which piece should I play which will come closest to a rock performance in the aspect of gaining the audience's attention/appeal?

[timothy42b]

+10, and thank you for the common sense.

Almost none of the suggestions above are worth playing for any audience outside piano players. 

In a talent contest, you have a specific purpose.  It is not to create art, nor a sense of personal fulfillment.  It is to thrill an unsophisticated audience.  So you pick something that will appeal to them - this is a skill in itself - and that you can perform flawlessly, so nothing too hard. 

Oh, and one more thought.  Some purists may sneer snobbishly at the over dramatic gestures of the showman.  Okay, they have a point in some settings, but not this one.  Sitting quietly at the bench playing fantastically will lose every time.  You need lots of arm waving and body english here.