I have a question -

[prestoconfuocco]

What set of pieces do you think works best when put together? (Rach preludes, Schumann Fantasiestucke, Chopin nocturnes, Liszt rhapsodies, etc)
And I'm not talking about what sounds best, I'm talking about what set of pieces sounds more natural when played all together, and that sounds incomplete with each piece played apart.
I think I'd have to go with Chopin's 24 preludes. I just can't listen to them apart, I HAVE to listen to the entire set.

[musicman99]

The Goldberg variations absolutely and 100%.

[redbaron]

The Goldberg Variations, Brahms' Paganini Variations and Pictures at an Exhibition.

[prestoconfuocco]

Wow, can't believe I didn't even think of Goldberg variations and pictures at an exhibition. Changing my answer to this

[j_menz]

The Goldberg Variations, Brahms' Paganini Variations and Pictures at an Exhibition.

Aren't they actually each a single piece anyway? Designed to be a unit?

[redbaron]

Aren't they actually each a single piece anyway? Designed to be a unit?

The variations yes, less so with Pictures. Even so, you still sometimes hear selected variations being played separately.

[j_menz]

The variations yes, less so with Pictures. Even so, you still sometimes hear selected variations being played separately.

You sometimes hear a single movement of a Sonata being played separately as well - doesn't mean it's a separate work.

[redbaron]

You sometimes hear a single movement of a Sonata being played separately as well - doesn't mean it's a separate work.

Yes I think that's the point we're all trying to make, hence the pieces I have suggested...

[mjames]

Schumann's Dances of the League of David, Scriabin's Preludes Op. 11, and Schubert's Landler (not sure what the D. number is, but the first few dances are in d major and bminor).