Next Chopin piece?

[rjarvis]

Hi  I've read a lot on these forums, but I finally decided to make an account.  (By the way, I'm sorry if I posted this in the wrong place).  Anyway...

I am a student, and I'm trying to decide what piece (preferably Chopin--I really enjoy Chopin) to play next. In my lessons right now, I'm working on Debussy's Clair de Lune, but I'd also like another challenge.
I have played Chopin's:
Waltz in A minor (posthumous)--I learned this several years ago, but I absolutely love this piece
Prelude in C minor (Op. 28, No. 20)
Prelude in A major (Op. 28, No. 7)
Prelude in E minor (Op. 28, No. 6)
Prelude in B minor (Op. 28, No. 4)
Polonaise in G minor
I know that these pieces are not especially difficult (I learned and memorized the last two preludes and the polonaise in a week or two each); however, playing them has really helped me learn to express and really "feel" the music.  I'd like my next piece to be harder than these ones, but I don't want a piece that's way too difficult.  (For reference, Clair de Lune is probably one of the most difficult pieces I've played.)  If you have any suggestions as to what I might want play next, that would be wonderful.  Thanks

[ade16]

I love Chopin and have been playing his music ever since I was about 13, over 40 years ago. I can highly recommend the following which should be within you technical grasp, or start to stretch your technique a bit more>

The Nocturnes: Op. 9 set, op.15 no.3, op.32 no.1, op.37 no.1, op.55 no.1. Other Nocturnes are perhaps technically too difficult at the moment. Also, Prelude Op. 28 no.15 in D flat known as the Raindrop Prelude. Have a look at the waltzes which are generally very difficult, but maybe try op.64 no. 2, op. 69 no.1, op.69 no.2. There is so much more, some easier Mazurkas etc But this should keep you going. As a teenager I borrowed the complete works of Chopin from my local library, and I had those several volumes for over a year before someone else reserved them. I totally fell in love with all his music. Only now have I mastered some of the pieces I could only dream of playing; Ballade in G minor op.23, fantasie in f minor op.49, polonaise in A flat Op.53 etc You clearly love Chopin's music and have a great adventure ahead of you. Good luck! 

[rjarvis]

I listened to several of the pieces you suggested, and I think that I'm going to work on op. 15 no. 3.  It doesn't look too difficult (although it's longer than the preludes), and I love the way it sounds.  Thank you so much 

[symphonicdance]

Try to go to the website of exam boards to see the level of difficulty of various Chopin works (incl. those mentioned previously).  Work on those of similar of slightly higher levels.  It's okay to attempt a very difficult one or a section or two of it just for fun, but you'd better not to really push yourself for it.  You will likely need to get help from your teacher to tackle those of higher grades and performance diploma levels.

[asuhayda]

Some Chopin suggestions for you -

Waltz in Db Major Op. 64 No. 1
Waltz in c# minor Op. 64 No. 2
Waltz in Ab Major Op. 69 No. 1

Prelude Op. 28 No. 15 - "Raindrop"

I am confident that you can play any of these pieces with some work.

Enjoy

[andreslr6]

I'm not a Chopin lover at all, but seeing what you have played I recommend completing the whole opus of the preludes, you can treat them as studies as well, preparing you in a way to play his etudes, pick another 3-5 to learn them simultaneously, the ones that follow up in difficulty from the ones you already know.

[ajspiano]

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=2958.msg25879#msg25879

[rjarvis]

Thank you all so much for your suggestions (and ajspiano--sorry, I searched but didn't find anything helpful).  At my lesson today my teacher gave me a list of a few pieces that she wants me to learn in the next year, and one of them was the Op.9 No.2 nocturne.  I'll definitely work on that one, and I'll work on others on my own time.  (I got a lot of new music today, though, so I will have enough to keep me busy for a while).