Prokofiev sonatas

[cameronbiles]

Hi guys,

I was just wondering at the level I'm working at the moment whether any of the prokofiev sonatas are accessible ( excluding the beastly war sonatas) or whether I still have to develop my techinique.

I only ask because I usually set myself a summer stretch piece which I learn partially for leisure but also wanting to perform it.

Thanks!
Cameron

[pianoman1349]

It really depends what level you are currently working at.

Generally speaking, the 1st and third sonatas are the most approachable to start with (they're also the shortest of them all).

Good luck!

[visitor]

+1 @ ^
I would also start w the first given choice in 1 vs. 3rd.  
The first is decidedly more "romantic" in approach and can serve as an easing in to Sergei's
More modern language later on.  Interpretation wise I feel no 1 can provide some new stimulus while still letting you encounter much you will be familiar with can can work through fairly easily.

Good luck.

Have you also perhaps thought to work a Prokofiev etude? Think that can help you along some here as well  .  Op2 no1 in d min would be something in Prokofiev 's. More decidedly romantic lean here as well. Heck it may make sense to work trough first given not just where it lies in his compositional output timeline but it's short too so can serve as a decent appetizer to the main course sonata

The others are cools too.  I just like this one tons cause  it sounds like video game music.  could be a theme from castlevania.  Totally  

[diomedes]

I don't know the sonatas all too well. I'm having someone attempt to play the 1st one now, it's lots of notes but then again what isn't. I played the 3rd sonata in my teens when i was dumb and determined. It went very well with auditions and exams so it's not a bad idea, it's what most people do  since it's popular.
Though it'd be best if you listened to them all and settled on something that resonates with your preferences, the later sonatas are probably not easy at all.

Oh and that Etude in d looks technically extremely demanding, i did heavily consider learning it. Certainly later on.

[cameronbiles]

It really depends what level you are currently working at.

Generally speaking, the 1st and third sonatas are the most approachable to start with (they're also the shortest of them all).

Good luck!

Hi again my rep is chopin ballade no.3 ( making mince meat of it in terms of notes, working on interpretation of it as well speak), fazil says paganni jazz, heroic polonaise, and rachmaninov preludes in g minor and B minor for the other set.

 
+1 @ ^
I would also start w the first given choice in 1 vs. 3rd.  
The first is decidedly more "romantic" in approach and can serve as an easing in to Sergei's
More modern language later on.  Interpretation wise I feel no 1 can provide some new stimulus while still letting you encounter much you will be familiar with can can work through fairly easily.

Good luck.

Have you also perhaps thought to work a Prokofiev etude? Think that can help you along some here as well  .  Op2 no1 in d min would be something in Prokofiev 's. More decidedly romantic lean here as well. Heck it may make sense to work trough first given not just where it lies in his compositional output timeline but it's short too so can serve as a decent appetizer to the main course sonata

The others are cools too.  I just like this one tons cause  it sounds like video game music.  could be a theme from castlevania.  Totally  

I have heard of them I really like the d minor one and the final one of op.2 set although sounds a killer on the left hand. I've played through his vision fugitives and play jazz (proper lead sheets not just transcriptions) so I have a vague idea of modern harmonic language.

[symphonicdance]

Prokofiev PS #1 to start with, not a bad idea.  PS #5 not too bad as next.  PS #3 needs speed and accuracy, and to me as a businessman and leisure piano player, not practice-reward efficient.

His Ten Pieces from Romeo & Juliet Op 75 is also a decent piano solo work.  You may wish to take a look also and decide if you wanna go for this instead.