What to do with Etudes

[tchristec]

So I am preparing repertoire for a recital in September, and with the help of some very kind individuals from this forum (for which I am very grateful) I have decided my program.  I was to open with Chopin op. 10 nos 1 and 5. 

Here is the thing.  I am not so concerned about no 5, but when I went to practice no 1 again I remembered all the long hours of slow practice I did last spring when I was working on it.  I had it pretty close to performance level by the end of last summer, but then I began working on no 2 without ever performing 1, which, I guess when I think about it doesn't really matter whether I performed it or not. 

So after not playing op. 10 no 1 at all for around 6 months I go back to practice it and I realized that when I practice, I will again have to practice a lot of the same thing over and over.  I'm sure since it is relearning it will go much faster, but I have been considering whether I should pick a new etude for the performance instead.  I realize that most any etude is going to be a lot of slow practice, which is fine, but I am thinking if I am going to be putting in the time to bring back this etude wouldn't it be better to learn a new etude to gain new technique, more repertoire, etc?  Or is this just me being lazy?

I guess I have two options and I am trying to decide between the two. I can either:

relearn the same etudes, which will take less time than new pieces, but is material I am getting a little bored of at the moment.  (Don't get me wrong, I have a blast playing them but its the practicing part that gets tedious lol)

or

I can learn a new etude, or possibly two if time permits, which would be more fun because it's new material and will also help me develop new technique and expand my repertoire.  If I do this I am considering something other than Chopin etude such as Liszt or Rachmaninoff.

Does anyone have any advice or insight?  What do you think?  Please let me know.

[thesixthsensemusic]

Did you study in the most efficient way possible (first getting hands up to, or above, desired speed separately, with practicing just those parts, even if just half a measure long, that are in your way, including the last note before and first note after)?

If you didn't, and started hands together too soon, it would explain why it took you so long.

Regardless of the answer to that, you already know the piece and will be surprised at how easy it will be to re-learn, it's probably just the first few days of practice that will be annoying and you can absolutely be sure it will be finished MUCH quicker than the first time...

[ajspiano]

If its not already under your belt, chopin 25 no 12 is musically a lot more friendly than 10 1 is..  it would also mean another arpeggio etude, so your 10/1 will get better all by it self..  and 25/12 is easy to memorise so its not an overly large task.

10/1 is also a pretty brave choice for public performance speaking as someone who's has done it a couple of times..   One of those pieces where the work required to really nut out and remove any slips is.. well.. never ending.

[pts1]

I agree with AJ in that these etudes are a never ending proposition.

Opus 10 no 5 -- Black Key -- is very tricky as well in that there's just no room for inaccuracy since it can be quite "slippery.  On some pianos with very dry un-gripable keys, it can be a nightmare.

I'm personally more comfortable in ways with Op 10 no 1 in ways.... of course both these etudes take a good deal of up keep.

In addition to AJ's suggestion, have you considered Op 25 No 1... its musically very accessible and there's a bit more latitude in the performance demands... IOW, it can be performed at a more moderate tempo and still be quite beautiful

[ajspiano]

since it can be quite "slippery.  On some pianos with very dry un-gripable keys, it can be a nightmare.

Lol - reminds me of one year in a competition - the previous pianist had been so nervous that the keys were covered in sweat. THAT, was a slippery disaster. Luckily the piece I was playing was a fair bit more manageable than 10/5

......

OP - why does it have to be an etude anyway? is there a repertoire requirement?

[tchristec]

Thank you for taking the time to reply.  The piece(s) do not need to be etudes, however I have been advised that the opening piece(s) need to be attention getters.  I thought etudes 1 and 5 might be a good option since I had already played them but I am starting to feel like I don't want to put in the time to bring back a piece that takes that much time since they weren't specifically requested or required or anything.  I have enjoyed practicing etudes along with my other repertoire because it gives me a good change of pace and I think it is beneficial for my technique.  Those are the main reasons why I am considering another etude.  I think op. 25 12 is a fantastic idea, and I really do enjoy 25 1.  The only thing I want to consider if I choose (a) new etude(s) is the fact that I have only played Chopin etudes thus far, and with the bulk of my repertoire already being Chopin I thought it might be a good idea to branch out a bit.   At this moment I have absolutely no Liszt in my repertoire, which is a pretty big crying shame in itself lol.

[ajspiano]

I wouldnt think of having no liszt in your rep as being a crying shame - its just your individual journey. However, (and not for this performance based on your post) you could always add something that doesn't put as much pressure on you - such as consolation 3.

Have you played Chopin etudes besides Op. 10, 1 and 5? I suppose so, they would be bold starting points (1 at least certainly is). Some might argue that chopin's etudes can precede liszts transcendental ones, so you may like to tackle a few more of chopins before moving on to something like that anyway. Some may argue the opposite though.. that the level of music in most of chopin's makes them a touch more demanding.

There's always things like la campanella, though again I think that's more ballsy than 25/12 (or 25/1) is.

You may also like Un Sospiro? perhaps less of a loud attention grabber, but is it certainly a good listening piece...

[jeffkonkol]

if you are loathe to put the time into 10-1 at at this stage, I think you have answered your own question.

If you are keeping with a chopin etude, 25-12 would be comparable... a bit easier, and would probably be a more musically satisfying piece. (at least in my opinion)

If you aren't tied to etudes, have you considered ballade 2 or 3?  Un sospiro is also a good suggestion.

Scriabin etude 8-12 (edit- I had it incorrectly listed as 12-8) might also be one to consider.  It may not match your skillset though as the two etudes you are currently working with are very right hand dominant, and the Scriabin stresses the left.

[ajspiano]

Scriabin etude 12-8 might also be one to consider.

I have no idea why this didnt cross my mind, given how much I like it

It's certainly a very different animal to OP's known repertoire though (at least as far as we know)

[tchristec]

I think jeffkonkol is right, I really don't feel like playing 10-1 again at this point in time.  I think I am looking for something new and this has helped me to realize it  

I think today I might go play around with Chopin 25-12 to see how I feel about it.  I really do love that etude and I had been wanting to play it... eventually.  Maybe now is the time lol.  Also, I considered Un Sospiro a couple years ago and I actually even bought the music for it but at the last minute I decided against it, so that may also be a good option now.  The Scriabin etude is intriguing, but I have never played any of his works, although I really enjoy listening to his sonatas.  As far as a heavy left hand etude,  my left hand is kind of "special needs" so I feel like it would be difficult but it might be worth working on this week point   Oh dear, now I must make a decision   I am terrible at decisions. 

Also, I am moving in March, and thus changing piano teachers, so I will be working on this next piece mainly without the help of a teacher which is fine if it uses mainly technique I am familiar with. For this reason an arpeggio etude might be a wise choice.  Hmm....

Oh, and thanks again for the replies

[jeffkonkol]

correcting myself.  The Scriabin etude is opus 8 no 12, not 12-8.  (there isn't an opus 12 I don't believe) 

I know that everyone in the current conversation understood which one I meant, but no sense in not correcting it.

Will be curious to know which piece you do decide on after taking a little time with each.

[tchristec]

After some consideration I have decided to go with Chopin, 25-12.  I just started practicing it and it seems quite manageable.  I am very excited   Thank you everyone for your advice.