Is learning these pieces a reasonable goal (or other rep recommendations)?

[aaaaaa]

Hello,

I've recently started listening to classical music for pleasure (even though I've been playing the piano for 10 years ), and there are a few pieces that stand out to me as things I would love to learn if possible. I would especially like to play one or more of:

-Ravel's Ondine (and potentially the rest of Gaspard de la Nuit given enough time)
-Liszt's Mazeppa Etude
-Liszt's Un Sospiro
-any of Chopin's Ballades
-Rach 2
-Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata

(Yes, I am aware that some of those pieces are much more difficult than others.)

My most recently performed repertoire is Chopin's Winter Wind Etude, Brahms' Ballade in G Minor op. 118 no. 3, and some other much easier pieces (Mozart Sonata K332 in F Major, Rach Etude-Tableau op 33 no. 8, Bach WTC 1 P&F in D Minor, and all of Bartok Suite op. 14). I'm currently learning Ravel's Jeux D'eau, and can play about half of it (up to the climax with the glissando, for those who are familiar with the piece) with relative fluidity after 6 weeks of work. I am also starting Saint-Saens' 2nd Piano Concerto.

I have noticed that Jeux d'Eau is coming along much more smoothly (and enjoyably) for me than Winter Wind did, even though it is supposedly significantly more technically difficult, and I am hoping to experiment with more difficult repertoire than I have played in the past that is still possible to learn within about a year.

I am looking for input on which, if any, of the pieces I listed above would be most suitable for my ability, or any recommendations of other repertoire, especially from Baroque and Classical composers. Thank you! 

[kawwai]

I'd say you could play Ravel's Ondine, and probably Chopin ballades no. 2 or 3. I'd steer clear of 1 and 4 for now, since they are technically very challenging, as well as being extremely musically difficult. Un sospiro should be easy for you, considering your other pieces. For the rest of the pieces you mentioned, I would definitely wait a while. Mazeppa is agreed upon by most to be the 2nd hardest transcendental, behind Fuex Follets. Rach 2 is also very challenging, as is the Appassionata. I'd say probably go for either Un Sospiro or Ondine first, then try ballades 2 or 3. Good luck.

[rachlover23]

Hi aaaaaa

looking at your repertoire It looks like you could play any Chopin ballad (if your technique is developed enough to play Winter wind (which i'm guessing is performance quality and you have played other etudes of Chopin's) I'd say you are ready for any of the ballads. As for Appassionata once more seems like you could play it. As for Ondine maybe possible but would take a lot of patience in learning, but u could easily play the second piece in the suit (Le gibet) then after I don't think u could play Scarbo. For Rach 2, After Saint Saens i think you could play it. Sadly tho i think Mazeppa is also out for now


Overall recommendations
I'd begin Chopin Ballad 4 or 1 Odine or maybe La Valse


Hope this was usuful.

[chrismaninoff]

Hey, that's cool rep!

I've played or dabbled in most of it, so here's my thoughts:

Ondine is really hard BUT very approachable.  What I mean is that, as long as you can play the first page without any tension, you won't hurt yourself with the piece.  Just DO NOT play it if you can't play the first page on repeat for 10 minutes.  It can damage your arms if you aren't relaxed. 

Mazeppa is nasty.  It was really frustrating to practice and honestly not that musically satisfying for a LONG time.  So unless it comes easily to you I'd avoid it.  Also very injury-inducing, though not so bad as Feux Follets. 

Un Sospiro is easy. 

The Chopin Ballades aren't bad except for the coda of number 4.  So if you want to do number 4, see if the thirds at the end are manageable, and if they are then you are good to go.  Number 1 is also hard as someone else said, the second and third aren't bad at all.

Rach 2 is pretty hard but honestly not as bad as people say EXCEPT for the third movement, in my humble opinion.  The first theme of that movement and the development were just evil.  However, this is also a piece that probably won't cause any injuries so I'd do it before Mazeppa.  And the 2nd movement is mostly pretty easy so if you want to do that, go for it.  

Appassionata I have only ever sightread, but I'd say that it's another case of difficult but not at all injury-producing.  Overall one of the more approachable, it seems to me. 

So overall I'd say that un sospiro is by far the easiest, and Appassionata and the 2nd and 3rd ballades aren't too much harder.  Rach 2 1st and 2nd movement are also fine. 
The rest is legitimately quite difficult, so approach it with caution, but if you can do it without worrying at all about your health, I'd say go for anything except for Mazeppa. 

Oh and the second movement of Gaspard is frustrating but really good for colour development, and Scarbo takes years to play accurately and is very hard.  But maybe not as taxing as Mazeppa from an endurance perspective.