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Topic: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?  (Read 1826 times)

Offline onlyhalfasian

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Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
on: June 06, 2016, 11:25:03 PM
I will be playing Rhapsody in Blue with my school's concert band in about a year. Since I am already almost finished learning it and I have a lot of time to spare, I've been looking into finding an encore piece. Since most of the audience will not be used to such a long performance (I'm in high school so its mostly students or their family members), I'm trying to find something flashy, virtuoustic, recognizable, and short (or at least able to be abbreviated) to wake them up since I'd imagine they would be a bit worn out after a near 20 minute piece beforehand. So far I've found that Cziffra has quite a few flashier arrangements of popular classical pieces, such as the ones below:
(Flight of the Bumblebee, hand breaking arrangement)
(Sabre Dance, Liszt on steroids)

Or possibly a Volodos arrangement:
(Mozart's Turkish March, same idea)

Another option would be playing something with a jazzier feel, like this piece by Hiromi Uehara:
(The Tom and Jerry Show)

I realize that all of these pieces are quite difficult, but I'd like to attempt something like that anyway. If I'm unsuccessful I still have fallback pieces. Anyway, I would appreciate any other suggestions that anyone might have and sorry about the long post!

Offline Bob

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #1 on: June 06, 2016, 11:56:08 PM
What about the Gershwin preludes?  One of those?
Favorite new teacher quote -- "You found the only possible wrong answer."

Offline onlyhalfasian

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #2 on: June 07, 2016, 12:01:01 AM
What about the Gershwin preludes?  One of those?
I considered doing No. 1 or 3, but I decided that something besides Gershwin would be nice to show some contrast and give the audience something different.

Offline visitor

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #3 on: June 07, 2016, 02:00:54 AM

should this not be in the rep board?

Offline onlyhalfasian

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #4 on: June 07, 2016, 02:05:54 AM

should this not be in the rep board?
definitely considering this one, thanks!

Offline visitor

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #5 on: June 07, 2016, 02:06:48 AM
There are so many ways to go w  it, these should be light and refreshing like an after dinner mint
 

Offline visitor

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #6 on: June 07, 2016, 02:16:12 AM
I adore the late Dudley Moor's music. I have his songs without words book on my wishlist.?this old is great, little longer but is so enjoyable one hardly notices that extra minute or so, especially effective for more musica, audiences that know beetuoven hallmarks and antics

score is out there if you look hard enough

Offline visitor

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #7 on: June 07, 2016, 02:22:37 AM

one of my top 3 pianists y.e.s.  she owns this oNE

Offline blackpianistjp

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #8 on: June 07, 2016, 03:06:43 AM
Pokofievs Toccata or Lieberman's Gargoyles 4

Offline xdjuicebox

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #9 on: June 07, 2016, 03:14:54 AM
Mazeppa
[lol jk]

Scriabin D# minor?
I am trying to become Franz Liszt. Trying. And failing.

Offline indianajo

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #10 on: June 08, 2016, 04:37:58 PM
Back to the roots of jazz.  A Scott Joplin Rag.  Short & vigorous, popular with people who went to the moveis in the 1970's.
I play Paragon, Magnetic, Maple Leaf.  Choose any. 

Offline kalospiano

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #11 on: June 08, 2016, 07:55:24 PM

Offline kalospiano

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #12 on: June 08, 2016, 07:58:35 PM
Back to the roots of jazz.  A Scott Joplin Rag.  Short & vigorous, popular with people who went to the moveis in the 1970's.
I play Paragon, Magnetic, Maple Leaf.  Choose any. 

I vote for this.

Offline arensky

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Re: Good encore for Rhapsody in Blue?
Reply #13 on: June 10, 2016, 02:43:09 AM
Swanee from the Gershwin Songbook, short sweet and charming. Any of these arrangements would make a perfect encore for Rhapsody in Blue.

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