What can I play?

[lauralr]

Hi!
I'm very bad choosing repertoire, I never know if the pieces I want to play are too hard for my level, so I would appreciate your advice.

These are some of the pieces I've played lately (I know it's a weird repertoire but I had 3 different teachers in only one year):

Mozart- Fantasy in D minor K397
Mendelssohn- Lied ohne Worte op 38 no 2
Jensen- Etude op32 no 8
Scarlatti - Sonata in B minor, K. 27
Grieg- Wedding Day at Troldhaugen (Lyric Piece no. 53)

Now I'm studying:

Chopin - Waltz Op. 64 No. 2
Schubert- Klavierstücke in E-flat minor D. 946 No. 1

Maybe it's a crime, but there are some essential composers I've never played, like Beethoven or Bach (maybe 1 or 2 inventions when I was about 13) and I don't know why because I really love them.

Also I have tiny hands, so there are pieces I'm not able to play.

Thanks and sorry for my English

[visitor]

have a look at Akira Yuyama's works. He has some incredibly charming pieces and even a set for small hands where nothing is more than a 7th.

This is from his bigger set "Confections a Piano Sweet", the finally, "Cake March" is a medley with bits of all the previous parts and really effective, with enough hard work this would be within your abilities from what you describe. This suite is very often part of exams and competitions.

AND though this is grandest one of the lot, the individual pieces are super effective and charming miniatures. Yuyama is very much like Bartok in that these art pieces although labeled for children actually require decent skill, instruction and hard work, they are not 'easy' but they are attainable with the right combo of talent and hard work

[worov]

Hi, lauralr!

These are some of the pieces I've played lately (I know it's a weird repertoire but I had 3 different teachers in only one year):

Maybe it's a crime, but there are some essential composers I've never played, like Beethoven or Bach (maybe 1 or 2 inventions when I was about 13) and I don't know why because I really love them.

I don't see anything weird in your pieces. You should always play pieces you like. Some people say : "You should Bach. You should play Chopin". They're wrong. If think Bach is boring, you definitely shouldn't play his music. Playing music is about enjoyement. You are the only one who should choose your pieces. This means that pieces below are only suggestions, you may or may not play them.

You didn't specify anything about your taste, so I use mine (I excluded Bach and Beethoven).

Schumann : opus 99 no 7 :

Swinstead : In the Bay :

Alexander Illyinsky : Berceuse, opus 13 no 7 :

Richard Rodney Bennett : Taking a line for a walk :

Amy Beach : Secrets, from opus 25

Prokofiev : Old Grandmother Tales, opus 31 no 3

[visitor]

here is the opening piece to the Children's land set, super charming, nothing in either hand ever spans more than a 7th so perfect and comfy for smaller hands

[worov]

here is the opening piece to the Children's land set, super charming, nothing in either hand ever spans more than a 7th so perfect and comfy for smaller hands

[chopinlover01]

Take your picks from the list below.
Beethoven:
Sonatinas, Bagatelles, Sonatas Op. 49
Mozart:
- Most of the sonatas should be somewhat approachable, albeit some more than others. The F major K332 is a great one, as is the C major K330.
- Also take a look at some of his 4 hand material if you can get a good partner!
Bach:
- Little Preludes
- Some of the WTC (C minor from book one is famous among students and rather approachable)
Schubert:
Moments Musicaux, some of the Impromptus if you're feeling daring (particularly Op. 90 #3, which is somewhat quick but an excellent study in legato, voicing, and melody).
Chopin:
The set of "easier" preludes; #4, in E minor, #6, in B minor, #7 in A major, and #20 in C minor
Any of the mazurkas (really IMO some of the greatest pieces in his output)
Some of the easier nocturnes (in a relatively progressive order): Op. 15/3, G minor - Op. 37/1, G minor - Op. 32/1, B major - Op. 32/2, A flat major - Op. 48/2, F sharp minor (this one is probably the toughest among the "easier" ones, and I'm hesitant to even put it there).
Rachmaninoff:
Look at the Morceaux de Salon, Op. 10. Some of it is quite hard, but there are some easier entries (the Romance in F minor is a gorgeous thing).
Liszt:
The Consolations are approachable.. And that's about it. There's also a romance in E minor that is somewhat interesting.

[chopinawesome]

Personally, the easiest Nocturne for me are 9/2,15/3,37/1,Op.Posth ones,32/1,55/1

If you don't like Bach, play Handel Suites. The Harmonious Blacksmith HWV 430 is a good choice. If you want to play more Scarlatti, you can play L.23 in E Major or L.422 in d minor(though its very hard and a little bit above your level.If you want to play Bach, play his French Suites. Start with No.1(shortest and easiest), and move on to 2,then to 6,then to 4, and finally to 3 and 5.

For classical repertoire, I would start working on Mozart and Haydn Sonatas. A good Sonata to start with is Hob.XVI :35 by Haydn. My first was that one. My second was Hob.XVI 34. If you want Mozart, play K.283,284,331, or 332.

When I have romantic repertoire, it is usually a Liszt or Schumann, a Schubert Impromptu, and one or two Chopin pieces.
Liszt-Consolations:No.3 and 5 are my favorite, 6 is hardest. Or you can get the book At the Piano With Liszt. It has a bunch of easier Liszt works.
Schumann-Scenes from Childhood Op.15 are beautiful short pieces that are about your level. My favorites are Nos.3,11, and 13. After Op.15, you can move on to Op.18(I am working on this one),Op.2, or Op.12
Schubert- I see you already have a Schubert piece.
Chopin-Mazurkas. You can do any, but I recommend to not play the Op.50,56, or 59 Mazurkas. OP.56 (for me) is very difficult. No.1 has a very hard coda,infested by Sixths. No.3 is very hard to play well.
Chopin-Easier Nocturnes. I think your best bet is 15/3 or 37/1.
A 20/21st Century work-Sonatina 1959 by Khachaturian, Variations Op.40 by Kabalevsky, Three Moods by Copland, or if you are daring, try the Cat and the MOuse. The Cat and the Mouse by Copland is a very hard work. Your accuracy has to be 100% to please the audience.Here is a link to a video of this work:://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyYjLelm0Ew

[worov]

Take your picks from the list below.

Beethoven:
Sonatinas, Bagatelles, Sonatas Op. 49

Bach:
- Little Preludes
- Some of the WTC (C minor from book one is famous among students and rather approachable)

Did you read the first post ? He said :

Maybe it's a crime, but there are some essential composers I've never played, like Beethoven or Bach (maybe 1 or 2 inventions when I was about 13) and I don't know why because I really love them.

He doesn't love Bach and Beethoven. Why do you suggest these ?

[chopinlover01]

I did read the post. Did you?
He said

Maybe it's a crime, but there are some essential composers I've never played, like Beethoven or Bach

and I don't know why because I really love them

In case that wasn't clear...

I really love them

[worov]

I did read the post. Did you?
He said In case that wasn't clear...

Oops, sorry   

My bad, I need to change my glasses.

[expressman70]

Why not Beethoven sonata in G minor or major op 49? Bach prelude and fugue in c minor book 1 or 2. Chopin etude op 25 no 2 or 1 possibly. Dont get caught up in the easy side for too long. Stretch out and go into the unknown... Cheesy and cliche, but still take something decently challenging. 3 voice prelude fugue.

[chopinlover01]

I expect the OP has probably decided on something to play, 6 weeks later