Not to hard show off pieces?

[graceandbeauty]

Hello all, I have been playing piano for almost 8 years now and am 15 years old. My previous show off piece was Solfeggietto which I played at lightening speed. But it really does nothing for me technically. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for an Intermediate/advanced piece that sounds a lot harder than it is to learn. Like Solfeggietto only better! I am not currently in lessons, so I want to keep the piece a little bit on the easier side.... Maybe level 6-7 no more than 8 pages, no higher than level 7 though(preferably easier). So yah just wondering if you can help me out. I pretty much just want the piece to be not to hard, but fast seeing as I have not done fast pieces in a while and showy. Thanks all : )

[worov]

Here are a few suggestions :

A Scarlatti sonata (much more difficult than it sounds and good to learn crossing hands) :
 

A Schumann piece (from the Album for the young, opus 68) :

Granados : Marcha from Cuentos de la Juventud :

Vila-Lobos : A Cirandinha (there are 12 of them, all very easy, sounding much more difficult)

Bach / Gigue from Partita no 1,  BWV 825 (watch out for the crossing hands !) :

This should get you started.

[teran]

Since you're talking about being a showoff then the tempo he plays will probably be what you'll end up doing anyway, so here you go!

[graceandbeauty]

Thanks everyone the only thing is when I say it needs to be easier, I do not mean it has to be like really easy I think piano streets level 7 is about what I am aiming for. I tend to like pieces by Schubert and Rachmaninoff or Chopin. So that is just to give an Idea not a ton of staccato or baroque music : )

[lukediv]

Why must music be about showing off? Why does it have to be a competition?

But if you must, try and Czerny etude? No.3 in D major from op.740 should do the trick. Fast and scale-y and fairly musical. Is also good for you

Or the Military polonaise by Chopin? Its fast and majestic.

[graceandbeauty]

Well, for me its not really all about showing off. The problem is I do not have a nice classical piece that is memorized that I can play when people ask. I can only play Solfeggietto, and that is not an accurate measure as to how far I have come as a pianist. So I just want A nice sounding piece that I can memorize and will work well for impromptu performances! Thanks for all the suggestions though.

[senanserat]

Does it has to be classical per se? Because I can think of some great (not bubblegum pop) ensambles.

[teran]

Thanks everyone the only thing is when I say it needs to be easier, I do not mean it has to be like really easy I think piano streets level 7 is about what I am aiming for. I tend to like pieces by Schubert and Rachmaninoff or Chopin. So that is just to give an Idea not a ton of staccato or baroque music : )

What I posted isn't easy and it definitely isn't baroque. :/

[graceandbeauty]

You were not the only person to reply to my post Teran. I am very grateful for the suggestion you gave me : )

[graceandbeauty]

I would prefer for it to be classical. I am considering changing piano teachers and wan't a good classical piece to show.

[birba]

The katchaturian toccata is a great show-off piece and not hard at all.
I'm learning pirates of the carribean, and i fear it will take the house down.  Btw, (first time i've ever used that! Came so naturally...) if anyone has ever played this, do you really sit on the keyboard at the end, like it says!?

[michaeljames]

Rachmaninoff's Opus 3 has some really beautiful things.  I like to play all five of the pieces.

I think his Elegie, Opus 3, no. 1, is one of the most beautiful melody lines ever written, and while the key signature is a bit of a challenge, it's not very difficult to read or learn.
2. Prelude in C# minor is overplayed, but it packs a power punch.
3. Melodie is pleasant.
4. Polichinelle is very showy, and sounds far more difficult than it is
5. Serenade is very Russian sounding, and also pretty straight forward.

There are several Rachmaninoff Preludes that are relatively easy and pack quite a punch.

Of the Preludes, Opus 23: 1, 3, 4, 5 and 10 are all beautiful and none are too difficult. 
Of the Preludes, Opus 32:  5, 10 and 12 are all beautiful and again, not too difficult.

Moments Musicaux, Opus 16...the odd numbered ones are all attainable.

[j_menz]

Have you considered the fourth of the first set of Schubert Impromptus?  It might be a stretch, but it's not nearly as difficult as it sounds.

[h_chopin148]

Since you're talking about being a showoff then the tempo he plays will probably be what you'll end up doing anyway, so here you go!

this piece is addicting. i love it

[musickid10]

Rachmaninoff's Opus 3 has some really beautiful things.  I like to play all five of the pieces.

I think his Elegie, Opus 3, no. 1, is one of the most beautiful melody lines ever written, and while the key signature is a bit of a challenge, it's not very difficult to read or learn.
2. Prelude in C# minor is overplayed, but it packs a power punch.
3. Melodie is pleasant.
4. Polichinelle is very showy, and sounds far more difficult than it is
5. Serenade is very Russian sounding, and also pretty straight forward.

There are several Rachmaninoff Preludes that are relatively easy and pack quite a punch.

Of the Preludes, Opus 23: 1, 3, 4, 5 and 10 are all beautiful and none are too difficult. 
Of the Preludes, Opus 32:  5, 10 and 12 are all beautiful and again, not too difficult.

Moments Musicaux, Opus 16...the odd numbered ones are all attainable.

 I think that the Op. 3 works by Rachmaninoff would be great for the amount of experience that you have. However, I disagree in the statement that the Rach preludes are "relatively easy." A few are a step up from the Op.3, most even 2-3 steps above the Op.3. It takes a lot more hard work (and experience with Rachmaninoff) to get the preludes up to tempo and sounding gorgeous, especially without a teacher, considering your age.

[piano1mn]

  Maybe the 3rd movement of Haydn's Sonata c min Hob XVI 20. That's early advanced. Or DEbussy's CHildren's corner: Dr. GAP . Or Gurlitt's Sonatina a min Op.76 no.5 first movement. Or Jumping Jacks by C Nielson. Or Sonata 49 2 Beethoven or Sonata 545 Mozart. Schubert Sonata D 664 mov II. Liszt Pastorale from Anees de P....  Rakozy March- Liszt.

[piano1mn]

Baroque, but sounding romantic sometimes, Scarlatti sounds like early classical.
K.10[ Invalid YouTube link ]      K 27 

       Pavane Lachrymae by Byrd/Dowland 

[piano1mn]

Liszt;
Op.1- no.12 etude
Grand Galop Chrromatique
2 Concert Etudes- no.1
Anees de Pe........- Gondola Song

[piano1mn]

Pictures at an Exbehition

[piano1mn]

Mendelssohn Song without words;
Elegie d min-Chaminade
Petite Suite(duet)- Debussy

[piano1mn]

Gottscalk- Dying poet; Last Hope; Ballade

[pytheamateur]

Why not some Liberace, to coincide with the new film that has come out?

His Beer Barrel Polka is playable.  You'll get a good technical workout that will prepare you for Liszt.

[thepianist09]

If you liked the Solfeggietto you should play La Rappel Des Oiseaux by Rameau.

Alternatively you could play Chopin's Revolutionary Etude, his thirds etude, his octaves etude, his butterfly etude, or Fantasie Impromptu. There are many more to choose from as well.

But can I please advise not playing a piece of music for the sake of hammering it out. Anybody can do that, but real musicians can play with musicality, and that is far better than any technical ability or pace.

[piano1mn]

originals:
Tcaikovsky- Sugar Plum Fairy
Tchaikovsky- March of Reeds
Tchaikovsky- Waltz
Tchikovky- nNeopoitian Song
Albeniz- Op.165(Espana)- Preludio; Tango; DAnce from Malaga;  Serenata; Winter; Czerm=ny Studies;Liszt late Hungarian Rhapsodies

[cinnamon21]

Debussy - Jardins Sous La Pluie from Estampes