Looking for a recital piece to top Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

[azbroolah]

As per the title, essentially. I'm an amateur pianist taking private lessons and at my last recital for my teacher I played the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. I'm wondering what might be a good piece to choose for next year - as it'll be my last recital with her (college yay) I'd like to go out with a bang. If possible I'd like something that's very grandiose, a la Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# Minor. Any suggestions are much appreciated! 

[apmapmapm]

If you've done Liszt's 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody then maybe you should try your fingers with Chopin's 4th Ballade. That's a good way to go. =)

[rachmaninoff_forever]

The Rach C# minor prelude doesn't beat the Hungarian Rhapsody. 

I agree with the 4th Ballade.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

OR...

You could totally do the Appassionata.

It ALWAYS brings down the house!

[j_menz]

HR2 is a show-offy crowd pleaser (not that there is anything wrong with that). The 4th Ballade is not exactly Chopin's most accessible piece.

@ OP - what are you trying to achieve, and how long do you expect it to be?

[azbroolah]

HR2 is a show-offy crowd pleaser (not that there is anything wrong with that). The 4th Ballade is not exactly Chopin's most accessible piece.

@ OP - what are you trying to achieve, and how long do you expect it to be?

I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. I think 15 minutes it's probably about the upper limit of how long it should be, and in terms of content I'm really just looking for something that's pleasurable to listen to. Grand pieces that really pound away at the piano are my favorite (I played the Rach Prelude in C# Minor and I really enjoyed it.) For one of my teacher's other students, my teacher accompanied him in a 2 piano arrangement of a Liszt concerto, so concertos aren't out of the question either.

[j_menz]

Grand pieces that really pound away at the piano are my favorite

Try Alkan's Allegro Barbaro from Op35 or Scherzo Diabolico from Op 39.  Both great pieces, and around 10 minutes if memory serves.

[perfect_pitch]

Try Alkan's Allegro Barbaro from Op35 ... Both great pieces, and around 10 minutes if memory serves.

Good choice for encore, however Alkans Allegro Barbaro is 3 mins long at best.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Do the first movement of Beethovens Appassionata.

10 minutes long and it still bring down the house.

[louispodesta]

Two suggestions, both of which will get you into any college music school.

They are the Totentanz, which is about 16 minutes, but has no breaks, or the last two movements of the Chopin B Minor Sonata.   These pieces require both technique and musicianship.

And, audiences love them.

[j_menz]

Alkans Allegro Barbaro is 3 mins long at best.

True. Ooops! 

[bencollisonmusic]

Beethoven Sonata No. 23 (Either first or third movement could do)

I don't know if it tops it but it is at least just as good and just as difficult.

[j_menz]

Am I the last person standing who disapproves of movements of sonatas being performed in isolation? 

[apmapmapm]

Am I the last person standing who disapproves of movements of sonatas being performed in isolation? 

I second that; might as well play the whole thing. I really think my suggestion for the 4th Ballade by Chopin was a good one. The OP wants a real crowd pleaser and I don't see why this piece wouldn't meet everyone's expectations.

Scriabin's 4th Piano Sonata is also really beautiful and has a powerful ending!

[asuhayda]

What about Prokofiev - Toccata in d? .. insane piece. It's not incredibly long though.  If you haven't played Chopin's Ballade #1 yet, I'd recommend that piece as well.

Don't play Totentanz. I feel like that piece is the flavor of the year because Lisitsa just recorded it.  Besides, it's impossible.. you can't play it (haha.. egging you on)

[patrickd]

What about Alkan's Le Festin d'Esope, which is about 10 minutes.

[whitebeagle]

How about Bach-Busoni chaconne? Both profound AND showy! I love Chopin ballade 4 but it's tricky to pull off, and certainly not one to pound away. One of the more full-scale Chopin polonaise could be an option, the one in f sharp minor or a flat. Also the Chopin scherzos are worth looking into. Speaking of Rachmaninov I personally enjoy etude tableaux more than the preludes.

[david456103]

i would not go with the 4th ballade. its extremely difficult to play well and if not played well is an anti-crowd pleaser. You seem to like showy pieces. Here are some recommendations:
1. La Campanella
2. Transcendental Etude #8
3. Reminiscences de Don Juan? Idk if its too long or hard, but certainly results in a lot of cheering from the crowd.

[azbroolah]

i would not go with the 4th ballade. its extremely difficult to play well and if not played well is an anti-crowd pleaser. You seem to like showy pieces. Here are some recommendations:
1. La Campanella
2. Transcendental Etude #8
3. Reminiscences de Don Juan? Idk if its too long or hard, but certainly results in a lot of cheering from the crowd.

I'm actually thinking the Reminiscences de Don Juan is the suggestion I like best of the ones so far, actually.

[azbroolah]

Sorry to double-post, but what are the forums' thoughts of Tanayev's transcription of The Nutcracker? Waltz of the Flowers seems a little tempting, because it's both well-known and somewhat challenging, though probably not so much as the Reminiscences de Don Juan.

[j_menz]

Sorry to double-post, but what are the forums' thoughts of Tanayev's transcription of The Nutcracker? Waltz of the Flowers seems a little tempting, because it's both well-known and somewhat challenging, though probably not so much as the Reminiscences de Don Juan.

It's a very good transcription, and should be a crowd pleaser.

Though not exactly a walk in the park, it really doesn't have anywhere near the flashiness of HR2.

[drew98]

Any of the Chopin Ballades (except for 3) could top the Hungarian Rhapsody.
The scherzos could also do so.
The Rachmaninov prelude won't top the Hungarian Rhapsody. If you really wanted Rachmaninov, Prelude Op. 23 No 5 Might work, but the either of the sonatas, while not very accessible, should be able to do the trick.
What about the third movement of Sonata No. 7 by Prokofiev? It's a very powerful toccata and is quite dissonant, but it's a cool piece.
Scherzo Humoristique, or The Cat and the Mouse, by Copland is an exciting piece, but I dunno if it would beat out the Liszt.

Good luck finding a piece! 

[bannanie]

Ginastera - Danzas Argentinas

Played this as my last piece for my third year recital and audiences love it...fun, exciting and unique. Also the there is nice contrast amongst the three movements.