Spanish repertiore

[coolpianoman]

I am attending a workshop run by a Venezuelan pianist next year and she has suggested we come with some Spanish or South American repertoire.  I have never tried any of this and usually avoid tricky rhythms etc. which I associate with this repertoire – maybe wrongly.  Can anyone recommend some relatively easy pieces – I am grade 4 to 5 or possibly a book of this type of music which is not hugely difficult to play.  A sultry romantic piece might be nice Muchas gracias.  Chris

[indianajo]

Enrique Granados, Playera, OP 5 # 5.
I played Ernesto Lecuona Malaguena about age 12, in my fourth year of lessons, but it has five to a beat.  If you want something simpler, the first line of Gitanerias on the back looks rhythmically basic.
And if you want to pay a moldy oldy from the twenties, look for a popular arrangement of Espana Cana.  All the USA sold Spanish band LP's of the fifties had this on it.      
I'm ethnically Appalachian Dutch-Native American-English, and my piano teacher was Greek second generation, but I love this type of music.  Houston was a real melting pot, as the saying goes.  I heard a hot salsa band Labor Day weekend and am trying to negotiate lessons from the piano player to play this style of piano by ear. Could be a real adventure. This repretoire is not on the radio or in stores, here in the midwest USA.   

[gravecembalo]

I'm spanish and I can say that Spanish music is a whole world 

I think if you've never played this kind of music could be a nice aproach to play a not very nationalistic work. I find very beautiful (and not very dificult technically speaking) the "Valses Poéticos" by Granados. It is a set of variations about a simple waltz.

[david456103]

liszt's spanish rhapsody?

[j_menz]

Dover publishes a collection of Spanish music for piano, as well as a collection of South American dances.

These might be a cost effective introduction.

[coolpianoman]

Thank you so much for these suggestions.  I have listened to them and some are within my grasp - just - although others are frankly a bit too advanced especially if I am to struggle through them in a weekend workshop.  I have also found Granados estudios expresivos which has the magic word facile in the title   

[ale_ius]

Franz Liszt used to call her "My Sunshine"
Born in Venezuela, I could not think of perhap a more appropriates composer to feature for you engage
ex

I can really hear Gottschalk influence in first!

Carreno received early lessons from her father, who is also credited for developing her strong sense of self-criticism, to which she attributed her success. She also studied with Gottschalk and later with Anton Rubinstein. She was very successful in Germany, where she lived for over 30 years. Most of her compositions were for piano, although an interest in strings motivated her to write a String Quartet in B minor. Carreno was married four times, and together with her second husband, Tagliapietra, she organized, conducted, and sang in an opera company in Venezuela. Her third husband greatly influenced her style, changing her performances from the tempestuous to the thoughtful.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/teresa-carre%C3%B1o-mn0002146763/compositions
  Alee Marie.

PS there is a very treasure chest of vast underplayed and performed wonderful piano music from all the Latin American countries ranging from the romantic to very moderns.  For other masterful music, see some of Mexico's music such as Ponce and Chavez
example this is very lovely!

[thorn]

There's a Granados piece currently on the ABRSM Grade 6 list called Danza de la rosa that I remember learning when I was around the grade 4/5 mark (for it to be on the grade 6 list they must be heavily relying on interpretation because other than a few bars of LH over RH it's not technically difficult at all).

It also can't hurt to have a wider listen of Spanish repertoire even if the pieces are beyond your current level- just to get a better feel for this sort of music. The big Spanish interpreter is Alicia de Larrocha- put her into youtube and you will find loads of pieces.

[coolpianoman]

That De la Rosa is absolutely charming.  Yes not that hard but you have still got to get that Spanish atmosphere into it eh?  Definitely one for the list.  Thank you