Chopin Recital/Repertoire Suggestions

[kc_gracie]

Hello everyone. I am looking for recital/repertoire considerations centered around Chopin. Over the past year, I have been working on completing and learning the four Chopin ballades. These pieces are very dear to me and the first ballade represents the piece that pushed my interest (many years ago) in the piano and to not give it up. It was, for many years, that piece I dreamed of playing. Fast forward to present day, and I have finished learning the entire set. As such, I would love to organize a recital and repertoire centered around the four ballades. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions for pieces that would greatly accompany these. I currently know several nocturnes (Op. 9 No.1/No.2, Op. 27 No.1/No.2, Op.55 No.1, Op.post C# minor), the E minor and D-flat major preludes, and the fantasie-impromptu that could be put towards a recital, but I didn't know if the four ballades plus several nocturnes would be an interesting recital. I would be interested in hearing what you guys think pairs well with these beautiful pieces and what would be ideal for complimenting them. I have worked on many other Chopin pieces, but these are the ones I can currently play well and (mostly) from memory. I am open to any new piece considerations to learn as I don't currently have a recital planned at the present moment.

Thanks for all of your great advice!

-KC

[cuberdrift]

I'm not a Chopin fanatic, but maybe you could try incorporating "a little bit of everything" from Chopin's output.

Like, get one or a handful of pieces from each "genre" he composed in. Maybe a few Nocturnes, then a few waltzes and mazurkas; some of his variations; maybe one of his Sonatas as well. Of course, some interesting Etudes of contrasting character. I also suggest including at least one of his other "super" works like the Polonaise Fantasy, Fantasy in f minor, Barcarolle, Heroic/Tragic Polonaise, etc.

The program doesn't have to be too long. So maybe put in just a little music from each of these "genres".

[hkilhamn]

It depends on how long recital you want it to be! I wouldn't do the Ballades together as a set because they are four individual works and quite similar in that way. But I understand your motivation and being a Chopin lover myself I would greatly enjoy such a program!

I would advise to get some pieces as contrasts between the Ballades. Most of the Nocturnes you mentioned are quite long and slow, so I wouldn't do too many of those. Especially not the F minor Op 55 no 1 just before Ballad no 4, because both inital melodies is really similar, in the same key. Generally I would say it's good to vary the key signatures, because there is a risk that pieces with the same key are similar like in this case.

But I would recommend the Op 9 no 2 because it is famous. Could work as a nice relief after the heavy first ballad... Also Fantasie-impromptu of course.
If you're looking for other pieces that are not too hard to learn, there are some interesting Etudes that are not super hard and fast. Op 10 no 3 and 6, Op 25 no 7. Also other short preludes: b minor, E major.
The funeral march, 3rd movement from 2nd sonata Op 35 could also be an option, before or after one of the ballades in major. Just some ideas...

Good luck with your recital!!

[kc_gracie]

hkilhamn and cuberdrift, thanks so much for the great suggestions. I was super last busy this past month, so missed these great comments. I'm considering about a 80-90 minute program.

I really like the idea of a little bit of everything recital setup. I was considering (not including the layout), the 4 ballades, possibly the 4th Scherzo, the Polonaise-Fantasie (I love these last two pieces and they are so different), the Op.10 No.3 and Op.10 No. 12 or Op25 No.7 etudes, one or two of the Op.17 Mazurkas (especially the A minor), and one or two nocturnes (Op.9 No.1 and No.2 or Op.9 No.2 and Op.27 No.2). Also would consider the Fantasie-Impromptu since I already know it. Let me know what you guys think about this spread. I feel like there is a lot of contrast here if it is organized well.

Otherwise, I could include the 4 Ballades with two Beethoven sonatas. I recently learned the Waldstein and it is very different from the Ballades but also very grand in nature and have been playing the Pathetique and Moonlight for many years now. Otherwise, I would really like to learn Pensee des mort by Liszt or the Bach/Busoni Chaconne (sorry for the tangent).

Anyways, any final suggestions on these considerations would be great. I would love to get a step closer to my recital.

KC

[j_tour]

This may not fit, unless you do some editing and are prepared to do it as an abidged solo piece.

I'll just name it because it seems like it's not very well-known, but Chopin's Variations on (Mozart's) La ci darem lo mano (I think that's spelled correctly).

Probably not, but I just like the piece and from a cursory reading through some of it, it seems as though a good many "Chopinisms" are there in nascent form.  Plus, it's a good aria, people would probably recognize it, if not Chopin's variations.

[quantum]

The Ballades are major works, both technically and musically challenging.  I would be inclined to include miniatures to balance the program.  After all, salon music and intimate performances were more to Chopin's taste than grandiose recitals - the miniature is an integral part of Chopin's music.  There are many selections that are not frequently heard, and I would urge you to explore them. 

One possibility is to pair a Ballade with a set of miniatures composed from the same period.  Maybe include some commentary as to life events that Chopin experienced at this time.

You could also do a program that explores music by other composers that was influenced by Chopin, and the Ballades.  Or maybe a program with Chopin and his contemporaries, music that was being written at the same time as the Ballades.
 

[quantum]

This may not fit, unless you do some editing and are prepared to do it as an abidged solo piece.

I'll just name it because it seems like it's not very well-known, but Chopin's Variations on (Mozart's) La ci darem lo mano (I think that's spelled correctly).

Probably not, but I just like the piece and from a cursory reading through some of it, it seems as though a good many "Chopinisms" are there in nascent form.  Plus, it's a good aria, people would probably recognize it, if not Chopin's variations.

The piece that inspired the Schumann quote: "Hats off, gentlemen! A genius!"

Beautiful piece, and technically very challenging.  Not to sure if it would fit in a program with all four Ballades.

[kc_gracie]

The piece that inspired the Schumann quote: "Hats off, gentlemen! A genius!"

Beautiful piece, and technically very challenging.  Not to sure if it would fit in a program with all four Ballades.

I agree. It is quite the beautiful piece and I've only listened to it a handful of times. Very nice suggestion though.

KC

[kc_gracie]

The Ballades are major works, both technically and musically challenging.  I would be inclined to include miniatures to balance the program.  After all, salon music and intimate performances were more to Chopin's taste than grandiose recitals - the miniature is an integral part of Chopin's music.  There are many selections that are not frequently heard, and I would urge you to explore them. 

One possibility is to pair a Ballade with a set of miniatures composed from the same period.  Maybe include some commentary as to life events that Chopin experienced at this time.

You could also do a program that explores music by other composers that was influenced by Chopin, and the Ballades.  Or maybe a program with Chopin and his contemporaries, music that was being written at the same time as the Ballades.
 

I really like both of these ideas and is how I was originally inclined to try and put this together. Perhaps including a variety of pieces between each Ballade would be nice. For example, I could include perhaps an etude (Op.10 No.3 and/or Op.10 No.12) and a couple of mazurkas (from Op.17) near the first, an impromptu (A-flat) and/or a couple of nocturnes (maybe from Op.32 or Op.27) near the second, and perhaps a few waltzes (Op.64) between the third and fourth as well as the C-sharp minor prelude (Op.45).

In terms of Chopin influence, I also like this idea. However, I'm a little less versed in specific examples of influence. I imagine perhaps other composers with their own Ballades? If that is the case, I really like the Liszt Ballade No.2 and the Grieg Ballade. Such amazing pieces and are so different from Chopin. Any suggestions along these lines?

I guess sooner or later I need to decide what to pursue.

Thanks for the advice.

KC

[pianoworthy]

For what it's worth, Chopin himself usually performed a few mazurkas, a few etudes op. 25, his F major or Ab major ballads, his Polonaise in A major, his second sonata then he did improvisations. I only know this because I'm reading Alan Walker's wonderful biography. Of course, this was while Chopin was still composing works, and he played for large crowds rather reluctantly.

Either way, I think a good mix of mazurka's/etudes, and then the larger works would be a good balance.

[aclaussen]

IMO it's kind of hard to go wrong with an all-Chopin recital, everything he composed is almost universally beloved.

I haven't seen mentioned Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante, which i've been meaning to learn and would certainly be a crowd-pleaser.

If it was my recital I'd probably have some encore pieces ready, but since the audience has been getting so much Chopin I'd probably play another contrasting composer.

[visitor]

an all Chopin recital if just playing /performing sounds dreadful, please don't do this. The only successful ones i've seen like that are part of research or thesis and similar presentations where a themed recital and lecture are prepared and given so there is some kind of new info, or argument presented that highlights the related works or the composer's output in some kind of fashion. If you were going to do all Chopin, try to see if there is a set of works or selected examples that are noteworthy exceptions to some convention of his or that show links to some unexpected inspiration , etc. then prepare a topic discussion between the works, slides ,etc , that would make more sense and be a heck of a lot more interesting for the listeners/attendees etc. just a suggestion having sat through both the type of recital that someone just likes a composer so does a program of that composer only, and also the presentation lecture recital .

[kc_gracie]

Well, based upon all of these great suggestions, it seems like I have two options to consider:

1. All Chopin with a mix of big pieces (Ballades, Polonaise-Fantasie) and smaller ones (Nocturnes, Etudes, Mazurkas).

2. Different composers (maybe a mix of Chopin, Beethove, Liszt, etc.)

I really like all of the suggestions and pieces mentioned, but I guess, ultimately, I need to decide. Perhaps I can do one of the following (of which I currently know most of these pieces), pieces not listed in order or potential performance.

1. Ballades 1-4, Nocturnes Op.27, Mazurkas Op.63 and Op.17 No.4, and Polonaise-Fantasie, and Etudes Op.10 No.3 and No.12 (others could include Scherzo No.1 or Fantasie-Impromptu).

2. Chopin Ballades 1-4, Beethoven Waldstein Sonata, and maybe one of the following, can't decide (Beethoven Appassionata Sonata, Liszt Pensee des Morts, Liszt Vallee d'Oberman, Bach/Busoni Chaconne, Liszt Ballade No.2, Prokofiev Sonata No.3).

Any suggestions? For #1, I know everything except the Polonaise-Fantasie and Op.10 No.12 and a couple of the mazurkas. For #2, I've either learned and currently know, have played in the past, or am currently working on. Depending on your guys amazing suggestions, I would like to focus on one of these. Still, again, open to suggestions. I love Chopin, and I thought, originally, it was a good idea to do a full-Chopin recital. However, I love many other composers equally as much and have some pieces built up for this as well. I am slowly realizing that making all listeners happy will be difficult.

KC