Which Chopin piece should I learn first?

[kaystephaniex]

Hi, I'll be sitting for my ATCL exam is November and I've finished learning all the pieces. I'm just in the process of memorisation. Since I have more free time now, I would love to learn some Chopin pieces. I have never actually played any of his piece before. What are pieces do you folks recommend? I want to familarise myself with Chopin's music style and then move on to the Op.10 and Op.25 Etudes (due to the repertoires of many competitions). Thanks.

My ATCL Recital Programme:
(If anybody is interested)
1. J.S.Bach - Toccata in E Minor
2. Copland - Scherzo Homorisque (The Cat and The Mouse)
3. Brahms - Capriccio in F# Minor
4. Beethoven - Piano Sonata in C Minor "Pathetique"

[visitor]

any and all

 

[mjames]

Like visitor said, if you want to familiarize yourself with chopin the mazurkas would be a great start. His early polonaises (posthumous) and the rondos should also give some valuable insight.

[four_ballades]

I find that the mazurkas are an acquired taste, personally. Some of the waltzes and nocturnes can provide a good jumping off point:

Waltzes:
op. 64/no. 2 (C-sharp minor) or no. 3 (A-flat major)
op. 69/no. 1 (A-flat major)

Nocturnes:
op. 55/no. 1 (F minor)
op. posth. 72/no. 1 (E minor)

There are also some fairly quick learns in the op. 28 preludes (E minor, A major, B minor, C minor, D-flat major; my favorite, although a bit harder due to speed, is the G major) that will give you a sense of his style.

[goldentone]

I agree with four ballades that the nationalism of the Mazurkas is a bit spicy to the first taste, though I've become more acclimated to them over time.  Chopin gave us a lot, and his masterwork density may be the highest of any composer.  The preludes would probably be a perfect place to start unwrapping his fine pieces of art.

any and all

Could all that Chopin be the cure-all for years of neglect?

 

[kaystephaniex]

Thank very much for your suggestions, guys. A friend of mine suggested Preludes. What do you guys think?

[cabbynum]

Thank very much for your suggestions, guys. A friend of mine suggested Preludes. What do you guys think?

Do them all hahah but seriously. Do them all

[coda_colossale]

Most of the nocturnes are not challenging technically. The ones I've played, or at least read through are, from easy to difficult:
C minor Op. Posth
G minor Op. 15/3
B flat minor Op. 9/1
E flat major Op. 9/2
C# minor Op. Posth
F minor Op. 55/1
E minor Op. 72-1
F# minor Op. 48/2
C# minor Op. 27/1
D flat major Op. 27/2

[four_ballades]

Not sure you'll be able to do all of op. 28 (the Preludes), as some of them are notoriously difficult to pull off (see the B-flat minor, E-flat major, and D minor ones). Nonetheless, some of them are very accessible and exceedingly beautiful. If you are up for a reasonable challenge, I'd suggest the following (besides the easier ones I mentioned in my previous post):

No. 1 (C major)
No. 3 (G major; probably my favorite)
No. 11 (B major; another one of my favorites)
No. 17 (A-flat major)
No. 21 (B-flat major)

[kaystephaniex]

I've just started working on Prelude in C minor yesterday and it's rather easy.

[iancollett6]

Not sure you'll be able to do all of op. 28 (the Preludes), as some of them are notoriously difficult to pull off (see the B-flat minor, E-flat major, and D minor ones). Nonetheless, some of them are very accessible and exceedingly beautiful. If you are up for a reasonable challenge, I'd suggest the following (besides the easier ones I mentioned in my previous post):

No. 1 (C major)
No. 3 (G major; probably my favorite)
No. 11 (B major; another one of my favorites)
No. 17 (A-flat major)
No. 21 (B-flat major)

   Out of interest is No. 4 considered to be the easiest of the Op. 28?

[coda_colossale]

Out of interest is No. 4 considered to be the easiest of the Op. 28?

4 is IMHO the most difficult of the easier ones. Voicing the left hand chords and achieving excitement in the climactic part is really difficult.
The easiest of Op. 28 would be A major or C minor.
And the most difficult 4 are again IMHO E flat major, B flat minor, G sharp minor and F sharp minors.

[outin]

   Out of interest is No. 4 considered to be the easiest of the Op. 28?

Usually yes.

[kaystephaniex]

Not sure you'll be able to do all of op. 28 (the Preludes), as some of them are notoriously difficult to pull off (see the B-flat minor, E-flat major, and D minor ones). Nonetheless, some of them are very accessible and exceedingly beautiful. If you are up for a reasonable challenge, I'd suggest the following (besides the easier ones I mentioned in my previous post):

No. 1 (C major)
No. 3 (G major; probably my favorite)
No. 11 (B major; another one of my favorites)
No. 17 (A-flat major)
No. 21 (B-flat major)

Thank you very much for your suggestions. Will look through them and pick some to learn.