Chopin Scherzo No. 2 Op. 31

[noah16077]

I have just finished Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu (Op. 66) and was just wondering if his Scherzo no 2 is a piece that would be good to learn next.

[mjames]

Probably not, but just go for it and see what you can do. If it's too much let it go.

There are plenty of other fun Chopin pieces to play aside from b flat minor Scherzo. You can try his B minor scherzo which is a little bit easier than the second one, and also really fun to play. There are his mazurkas such as the op. 24, 41, 56, 59, and 63. You should try his other three impromptus that are much more musically enriching than his fantasie one. It's really fun to play them as a cycle too.

[visitor]

Though big Chopin fan I am not, of what little of his I can stand, the Rondos are at the top of that pile

Really nice little concert works and not sure why they are ignored

[mjames]

The e flat Rondo is most definitely a masterpiece, but it's most definitely not a thoughtful recommendation. Jumping from the Fantasie-Impromptu to that is a bit too much, don't you think? lol


Another of his concert pieces I really enjoy is his Krakowiak in F major, Fantasie on Polish airs, and his variations on La Ci Darem La Mano. They're all so beautiful but so freaking hard! ;( I guess I'll just have to work hard to get there one day...
Another neglected gem (that gets dissed pretty often) is his Allegro de Concert Op. 46, although I agree that the supposed orchestral parts are a little bit weird and the piano sections are beautifully written. Every time I listen to it I just get goosebumps.

[quantum]

The Op.16 while an excellent concert work, is probably around the difficulty level of the concertos.  A huge leap from the FI. 

Have a look at the lesser known Polonaises.  There is some beautiful and neglected stuff there.

[ale_ius]

The Op.16 while an excellent concert work, is probably around the difficulty level of the concertos.  A huge leap from the FI.  

Have a look at the lesser known Polonaises.  There is some beautiful and neglected stuff there.

yes. The Op 1 is perhaps a bit more appropriate first rondo?

[visitor]

yes. The Op 1 is perhaps a bit more appropriate?

yeah you all are right. not quite as big a jump in demands. sorry if too much, I just posted the first one I liked most that came to mind. This is early Chopin, probably a good place to start. 

[winstonian3]

That would be a big jump... If you're intent on playing Chopin, you could try an etude or a couple Nocturnes. The good thing about the Nocturnes is that they're generally not too long, but each one is extremely rewarding. You could play two contrasting ones, like the op. 27 no 1 and then op. 48 no 1. These are both very demanding pieces and the latter is known to be a good bridge to Chopin's harder works (ballades, scherzi, sonatas etc.)

[illusionary]

Hmm, although quite a big jump, it's not impossible if you work really hard at it. I made quite a big jump from simpler stuff like the Moonlight and Ravel's Sonatine before the Scherzo and it took me a few months to get the Scherzo up to performance standard - guess it depends on whether you've got hands for Chopin - then again, the scherzo IMO is very different from the fantasie impromptu so I can't judge but if you really want to then give it a go!

[future_maestro]

I have played this Scherzo. Although not unplayable at your level, it will take some serious work (it took me a full year to learn it). Try it, if you find it too difficult, then play some other things and come back to learn it in a couple of years. 

[canada100]

I would think twice before doing so. The Scherzo No. 2 is indeed a big jump from the Fantasie Impromptu. Keep in mind, all of Chopin's Scherzos are very difficult, technically and musically. The no. 2 is a wonderful piece, and I admire it very much. The problem is, it is too overplayed.

I learned the Fantasie Impromptu at age 12 and 6 months later started learning the Scherzo No.  1 and performed it a few months later. I was able to do it; however, it was not easy. If it were not for a competition, my teacher would not have let me learn the Scherzo.

Good luck!