Repertoire suggestions

[ewalker1]

Hello all,

I am an undergraduate conservatoire student and I've just done a few recitals and am looking to start new repertoire.
I'm looking for something romantic and between 20-30 minutes, preferably something that's regularly programmed in concerts. I've got nothing against playing unusual music, quite the opposite. But I feel that I need to vary my repertoire with something very popular.

To give you an idea of my rough abilities, recent important repertoire in the past year includes:
Prokofiev- Sonata 5 (revised version)
Chopin- Scherzo no 3, Étude op 10 no 4
Schumann- Faschingsschwank aus Wien
Skryabin- Preludes op 16
Bach/Busoni- Toccata and Fugue in d minor, BWV 565

I'm quite a quick learner, so I'm looking for something difficult enough to occupy myself with for about 8 months before a full performance, so think of something more as a project rather than a quick study.

Thanks

Edit: It must be for solo piano, no concertos as I will have to play in solo recitals

[diomedes]

Rachmaninov Corelli Variations
Schuman f sharp sonata or Kreisleriana
Alkan Symphony for piano solo
Brahms f minor sonata
Schubert Wanderer Fantasy
Liszt b minor Sonata

[chopinlover01]

Chopin B minor or B flat minor sonata
Rachmaninoff B flat minor sonata (unedited)
Rachmaninoff Op 16
All above

[ewalker1]

Thanks everyone,

The Schubert Wanderer fantasy has been on my mind for a while so that is very tempting.
Also more recently the Liszt Sonata, but I don't know if I'm crazy for even thinking I can learn this, its a monster...

[ewalker1]

I'm open to more suggestions!

[joaosousa]

Prokofiev Toccata in D minor
Rachmaninoff op. 16
Chopin Ballade in G minor
Chopin Scherzo No. 1
Chopin Polonaise Op. 53
Beethoven Sonata Op. 109
Lecuona Malaguena (not known)
Rondo Alla Turca (Volodos arrangement)

[ewalker1]

.

[thetanman]

Hey mate,

I really like the works of Chopin and Liszt
I think you would be able to play Chopin's Ballade No.1 quite well

Some of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies are also quite popular especially No. 2, It's pretty challenging though.

If you want to mix it up a little you could go with some of the popular french works
just to name a few...
Jeux d'eau - Ravel
Gaspard de la nuit - Ravel
Toccata from Pour le piano - Debussy
Carmen suites - Bizet

The works from Grieg also have some nice melodies
Lyric Pieces
Peer Gynt suite - very popular

Some of the works from Russian Composers

Rachmaninoff preludes/etudes are popular
Swan lake - Tchaikovsky
Flight of the bumblebee - Rimsky Korsakov

Some waltzes...
Strauss
Brahms
Chopin

Some nocturnes...

Beethoven is a romantic composer his sonatas are amazing

just some of my favourites

hope this helps

[ewalker1]

Thanks.

I wouldn't touch the Chopin g minor ballade with a barge pole... it's a piece that's reached such popularity with music students that I feel like I've learnt it, from merely hearing it played every single day.

Generally, I'm looking for a sonata, variations or suite of some kind. These tend to be in the 20-30 minute category.

[thetanman]

Oh sorry I thought you meant a 20-30 minute recital
In this case I think maybe one of Beethovens more popular sonatas would be a good way to go maybe the appassionata or tempest sonata?

Faure wrote a nice theme and variations which isn't played as often as it should be

Grieg has a nice sonata in e minor

Rachmaninoff has a pretty cool theme and variations but for me personally I only find the 18th Variation really stands out not too much of a fan of the others

[chopinlover01]

Mendelssohn Series Variations, and (let me advocate it again!) the Chopin sonatas.

[diomedes]

I wouldn't touch the Chopin g minor ballade with a barge pole... it's a piece that's reached such popularity with music students that I feel like I've learnt it, from merely hearing it played every single day.

I'm learning it now, and can only say it's such an incredible experience, don't let what other people do deprive you of something like that. I'm going through all of the ballades in the next few months after having done the Scherzi.

Mendelssohn Series Variations

Variations Serieuses, you mean? Those clock in around 13 minutes or less typically.

The Schubert Wanderer fantasy has been on my mind for a while so that is very tempting.
Also more recently the Liszt Sonata, but I don't know if I'm crazy for even thinking I can learn this, its a monster...

I often wonder how difficult the Schubert is in relation to its apperance. As for the Liszt, let's have a learning race see who can get it done first. (i actually would, except i have a schedule of things to learn for the next half year. Perhaps after then?

[ewalker1]

I spoke to my teacher today, and he told me to start the Liszt sonata...so there it is.
He said the Schubert Wanderer Fantasy would also be a good choice, but it was too similar to a piece I had played before.