Fun, showy, and/or emotive pieces

[phxfermata]

A few months ago I started playing piano again as an adult after a 12 year break (I was never fantastic to begin with). I'd put my current skill level at late beginner to early intermediate. My teacher has had me playing some relatively simple classical pieces (e.g. Alexandre Tansman's Petite Gavotte, "Melodious Masterpieces" Book 1) while we work hard on my technique, theory, and scales, but at our last lesson she recommended that I branch out a little and find some performance pieces that speak to me. Not ones that are necessarily lengthy, but something exciting. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks!

[visitor]

i learned this book a few years back and am in the process of circling back around to re learn.  This one is not the hardest of the lot but is lovely and may be doable at your level.

[stevensk]

This is funny to play! Enjoy!

[phxfermata]

Stevensk,

Uhhh...I can't tell if you're mocking me or not, but either way I'm clearly I'm in the wrong place.

[bronnestam]

I performed a 4 hand version of Beethoven 5th symphony (together with my teacher) at a recital some days ago.

Very fun to play and a true showpiece!

[visitor]

this is far less intimidating and quite lovely, one of my favorite haunting melodies

[j_menz]

You could try Alexander Gretchaninoff's Glass Beads - a collection of short pieces (grade 3-4, I think) that are really quite charming and offer a variety of moods.

Sample:

It's on IMSLP, or published by Alfred's (in one of their less crappy editions) and Kalmus and should be available pretty much everywhere.

[visitor]

i am a softie for children's albums.  this is quite possible one of the very best. certainly in my top 3 personal favs.  no 2, the etude is particularly captivating.

*score is on imslp avail dep on your country
1. Russian song
2. A little rain
3. Aria
4. Dreaming
5. Morning
6. An unfamiliar footpath
7. Clouds
8. Little scherzo
9. Greek song

[stevensk]

Stevensk,

Uhhh...I can't tell if you're mocking me or not, but either way I'm clearly I'm in the wrong place.

-No, this piece is absolutely showy, fun to play and much easier than it sounds. You can always play it a bit slower if you like.
-What about this version whith funky/fusion playback:

Talk about showy!  

I have played it for my friends whith fusion playback and they said they where jawdropping