which piece would be more useful to learn, gaspard de la nuit or Islamey?

[sv3nno]

I'm an advanced piano student, and i'd like to start seriously learning one of those pieces... So please, could you give me your opinions on those pieces, and then of course the question in the title.
Thanks in advance.

[j_menz]

From what you are currently working on to either of these pieces is quite a stretch, and I would suggest probably too great a one to be really useful.  If you especially loved one of these works (which might, just might, make you an exceptional case), you wouldn't be asking the question, so for the moment, the answer to your question is "neither, something else".

[lostinidlewonder]

All three movements of the Gaspard by far.

[sv3nno]

Oh god... Can someone explain me why does gaspard de la nuit have 44 pages  and a typical performance lasts only about 20 mins..? 44 is just too much for a 20m piece...

[pianist1976]

I would choose without the slightest doubt Gaspard because (for me and IMHO) it's far richer and with a deeper music content than Islamei (in fact that was the choice I did a few years ago).

Oh god... Can someone explain me why does gaspard de la nuit have 44 pages  and a typical performance lasts only about 20 mins..? 44 is just too much for a 20m piece...

It depends on the interpretation but yes, it ranges from 18 minutes to 25. It's very complex music with a very rich texture. Follow a recording with the score or take a sight reading of it and you'll understand why does it has 44 pages.

I'm sorry to be so direct and frank but seen your signature with the pieces you play and your quite naive comment about pages and duration, I doubt you are "advanced enough" and being prepared to learn Gaspard. It's such a great gap from your current repertoire. Patience is the best teacher said Chopin! You need to play many other pieces before approaching such a monster as Gaspard!

[drew98]

I honestly think that Gaspard is definitely more useful. However, I don't think you're ready, judging by your signature. The pieces you're currently learning aren't nearly as difficult as Gaspard. It would be a huge stretch to attempt either Gaspard or Islamey. If you really wanted to learn some more difficult Ravel, maybe the Piano Concerto or Jeux D'eau could suffice.

[birba]

Islamey is a period piece. Gaspard is forever.

[j_menz]

Gaspard is forever.

Unlike it's protagonists, who all die rather miserably. Dashed as rain against a window (Ondine), a reddening corpse in the sun (the ..ahem... occupent of le Gibet), or fading to grey (well pale blue actually) and vanishing (Scarbo).

Not quite sure I agree Islamey is a "period piece", though it does seem to have faded in popularity.