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Topic: Help me pick my new challenge!  (Read 2233 times)

Offline piulento

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Help me pick my new challenge!
on: June 23, 2017, 02:07:36 PM
So today was the end of the year concert at my conservatoire, and next week are the last piano classes of the year. I'll be starting university this october, so I won't attend the conservatoire next year, maybe just for a few more lessons.
Anyway, since starting from october I'll be neck deep in my studies (and have much less time to play piano), I want to take on one last big challenge to work on this summer (I want to have it done by September).
I want it to be a piece that's both beautiful and fun to play. It should be technically demanding (right now I'm as good as I'm ever gonna be, so I want to make it count), but I also want to be realistic (e.g as much as I'd like to play Prokofiev's 8th sonata, It's just too difficult, especially for one summer). Just to give an example, last year my summer "challenge" was Debussy's complete "Pour le Piano" suite (Oh boy, that toccata...).
Anyway, any suggestions? Any piece you really like? Was thinking about something romantic/modern.
I'll name some pieces I played this year, just to give you an idea about my level:
- Beethoven - sonata no. 30 (that's what I played at the concert today)
- Beethoven - sonata no. 17 - 1st movement
- Haydn - sonata no. 62 - 1st movement
- Chopin - scherzo no. 2
- Bach - Italian concerto - 3rd movement
- Schumann - sonata no. 2 - 1st movement

Thanks a lot in advance,
Gilad  ;D

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Offline georgey

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Re: Help me pick my new challenge!
Reply #1 on: June 23, 2017, 02:51:52 PM
Franck Prelude Chorale and Fugue

Offline mjames

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Re: Help me pick my new challenge!
Reply #2 on: June 23, 2017, 03:49:10 PM
Work on Chopin's op. 23.
Maybe we can help each other out since I'm also learning it. ;3

Offline beethovenfan01

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Re: Help me pick my new challenge!
Reply #3 on: June 23, 2017, 07:02:48 PM
Have you done anything by Liszt? Maybe a Hungarian Rhapsody or Polonaise would be good for you. Or, if you want to do something darker, what about one (or both) of the Brahms Rhapsodies  Op. 79? Or even his scherzo Op. 4?
Practicing:
Bach Chromatic Fantasie and Fugue
Beethoven Sonata Op. 10 No. 1
Shostakovich Preludes Op. 34
Scriabin Etude Op. 2 No. 1
Liszt Fantasie and Fugue on BACH

Offline visitor

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Re: Help me pick my new challenge!
Reply #4 on: June 23, 2017, 07:24:30 PM
even though a sonata movement, stands really well on its own. delightful work, about 7 min depending on tempo, is that long enough?


if you'll go longer, this at about 10:30 is great. there are few ok performances on youtube, this is my favorite/i think the finest. I know professor Jordan, incredible pianist and all around super cool lady. this this is a blast to listen to

Offline piulento

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Re: Help me pick my new challenge!
Reply #5 on: June 23, 2017, 08:58:25 PM
Franck Prelude Chorale and Fugue

A bit to "heavy", I think. It's a beautiful piece, but I don't really see myself getting into it.

Work on Chopin's op. 23.
Maybe we can help each other out since I'm also learning it. ;3

Sorry friend, already played it :P
But if you need any help, feel free to ask.

Have you done anything by Liszt? Maybe a Hungarian Rhapsody or Polonaise would be good for you. Or, if you want to do something darker, what about one (or both) of the Brahms Rhapsodies  Op. 79? Or even his scherzo Op. 4?

Liszt's polonaise in C minor is actuallly a really good idea, I'll look into the sheet music later. Thanks!

Visitor, I can't view any of the videos. Do you have different links? Thanks anyway!

BTW, two more ideas I got since posting this is Chopin's polonaise-fantasie and Ravel's sonatine.

Offline visitor

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Re: Help me pick my new challenge!
Reply #6 on: June 28, 2017, 04:19:52 PM
...

Visitor, I can't view any of the videos. Do you have different links? Thanks anyway!

....
hi puilento, if you google on unlocking/unblocking country restrictions for youtube, there are several easy solutions including a few sites that work with doing it for you.

Offline chopinawesome

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Re: Help me pick my new challenge!
Reply #7 on: June 29, 2017, 08:20:23 PM
Schumann Kreisleriana, Carnaval, Fantasy, or Fantasiestucke.
Beethoven Op 2/2
Chopin Op 20, maybe op 47/38
Debussy Etude 7
Grieg Op 16
Want to do:
Chopin Concerti 1 and 2
Beethoven Waldstein
Ravel Miroirs

Offline piulento

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Re: Help me pick my new challenge!
Reply #8 on: July 01, 2017, 09:44:12 AM
Thanks everyone!
I eventually went with beethovenfan01's suggestion and decided on Liszt's polonaise in C minor.
Also, my birthday was yesterday and my girlfriend (also a pianist) bought me the sheet music for Ravel's 'Le Tombeau de Couperin' transcribed for 4 hands (much more accessible) and told me she wants us to play it together. It's gonna be an interesting summer :)
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