Piano Forum

Hi!

I'm a graduating senior in college, and my collegiate piano society hosts a 'formal' (which really is just a small, not-too-serious concert featuring our members) every year in May. Each player has about 15 minutes, which I think suits for two medium-length pieces. I'm currently practicing Chopin's Heroic Polonaise (Op.53) for the second, but haven't decided what to play before it. So I'm here to ask for suggestions!

My vision of the Heroic Polonaise is someone who's returning home after years of adventures abroad, which gave him joy, sadness, troubles, successes, and memories that he will cherish forever (btw my favorite rendition is by Seong-Jin Cho in the latest Chopin Competition)--which is also how I feel as I'm about to put an end to my life in college.

So, for the preceding piece I want something that could be about the adventures/troubles that the hero had to go through. What immediately came up in my mind was the first movement of Chopin's 2nd Sonata (Op.35) or Nocturne Op.48, No.1, but I'm worried if i) this is going to be too hard, and ii) tire my hand even before playing the Heroic Polonaise.

To describe my current playing level, the Heroic Polonaise is a notch up from what I've played before. Recently played pieces are:
Beethoven Piano Sonata No.8 (Pathetique)
Chopin Nocturne Op.72, No.1
Chopin Ballade No.1 (somewhat incompletely, currently working to finish it)
Chopin Heroic Polonaise Op.35 (working)

I'm playing a lot of Chopin but non-Chopin pieces are certainly welcome.

Thanks for reading!