Choosing new pieces

[steven1990]

Dear all,

Since I started playing in 2008 I kept track of the pieces I studied for my piano lessons on a list. I attached the list to this post. After 7 years with my teacher, I am going to start lessons with a new teacher soon. Of course I will discuss with him what repertory to study next, but I was wondering if someone on this forum could take a look at the list and make some suggestions which pieces to study next. Are there "essential" pieces or composers missing from my list which are within my current level?

Thanks in advance!

Kind regards,

Steven

[outin]

Dear all,

Since I started playing in 2008 I kept track of the pieces I studied for my piano lessons on a list. I attached the list to this post. After 7 years with my teacher, I am going to start lessons with a new teacher soon. Of course I will discuss with him what repertory to study next, but I was wondering if someone on this forum could take a look at the list and make some suggestions which pieces to study next. Are there "essential" pieces or composers missing from my list which are within my current level?

Thanks in advance!

Kind regards,

Steven

The only thing that stood out to me was that you've played very little Russian music....

[steven1990]

Thanks for your comment. You are right, I only played some pieces by Tschaikovsky (parts of the seasons and his album for youth). Which composers or pieces would you recommend? Most of Rachmaninov is probably too difficult at this point.

[cwjalex]

Most of Rachmaninov is probably too difficult at this point.

you could play rach prelude in c# minor.  that one isn't too bad.

[outin]

Thanks for you comment. You are right, I only played some pieces by Tschaikovsky (parts of the seasons and his album for youth). Which composers or pieces would you recommend? Most of Rachmaninov is probably too difficult at this point.

Lyadov, Lyapunov, Glinka, Scriabin, Shostakovich, Kabalevsky...the list is endless

[steven1990]

The list is endless, so I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the possibilities 
Could you perhaps point out some of your favorite Russian pieces that are within my reach?

[outin]

The list is endless, so I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the possibilities 
Could you perhaps point out some of your favorite Russian pieces that are within my reach?

Yes...later today

[cwjalex]

The list is endless, so I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the possibilities 
Could you perhaps point out some of your favorite Russian pieces that are within my reach?

play the tetris theme!

[steven1990]

play the tetris theme!

Thanks, I didn't know the Tetris theme was based on a Russian folk song. Always nice to learn new things! 

[gr8ape]

So the guy played 5+ preludes and fugues from WTC and a few beet sonatas you tell him rach is too hard for him?

[outin]

The list is endless, so I feel a bit overwhelmed by all the possibilities 
Could you perhaps point out some of your favorite Russian pieces that are within my reach?

I think most piano music is starting to be within your reach, it just needs more or less work

Here are some random picks from Russian composers that I like:

Glinka: Barcarole / Valse-Fantaise / Nocturne La Separation

Liadov: Preludes, for example op 36-1 / op 39 / op 40-3

Shostakovich: 24 Preludes op 34 / 24 Preludes and Fugues

Kabalevsky: 24 Preludes op 24 / 4 preludes op 5

Scriabin: Preludes (there are over 80 of them altogether, all packed neatly in the Dover edition of preludes and etudes)

And of course you could play Rach, he's just not my favorite

[cwjalex]

So the guy played 5+ preludes and fugues from WTC and a few beet sonatas you tell him rach is too hard for him?

didn't the OP say that he thought rach was too difficult for him?

[gr8ape]

lol I misread I thought someone else said that

OP you should try rach's moment musical in b minor its very pretty, very russian romantic and not too hard I would suppose

[cabbynum]

Try some other CHopin Nocturnes, steer clear of op.48 no.1 for a bit but the others should be fine. I love op.72 no.1 E minor

Look at the rachmaninov Nocturne

Rachmaninov Prelude op.23 no.1 it is not bad.

Look at the Brahms Ballades, People say they are harder than they are in my opinion. I like them a lot and find them all quite fun to play. They are also great pieces of music.

Look at the liszt Op.1 etudes those arent too bad.

Some Chopin Etudes would be good too. I suggest op.10 no.3, 5, 6, and 25. no.1

Look at the beethoven variations and Bagatelles, there are some great pieces there.

hmmmm Ill come back with some more a bit later

[visitor]

[bernadette60614]

I know what I play well and what I play poorly. When my teacher and I discuss new pieces, I always ask her to assign pieces to me which will address those types of pieces which I play poorly.

I'm quite good at the big, splashy pieces, but when it comes to pieces which require precise articulation and nuanced expression, I need more focused work.

That would be my approach.

[steven1990]

Thank you for all the wonderfull suggestions! I haven't found time yet to listen all the pieces you mentioned, but I listened to the Nocturnes by Glinka and I love them! I am going to discuss it with my new teacher, but maybe I am going to study them, they are lovely.