Ideas for what to learn next?

[clair_de_lune]

Hello!

This is my first post to the piano forum, I've been lurking for awhile. I don't know if I technically belong here, since I am neither a professional pianist, piano teacher, nor university/college piano student. I am, however, what I would call an intermediate-level pianist in my mid-40s. I took lessons for about 8-9 years when I was young, have had a lot of enjoyment playing the piano off and on throughout the years. Lately I've gotten more serious about playing again, and am very interested in learning new classical material as well as advancing my skill level. I don't have a teacher at this time - my time during the day is very limited and I'm planning to get a digital piano (in addition to our acoustic) to maximize practice time.

Anyway, I just finished learning Debussy's Clair De Lune (although I'm continuing to fine tune it and haven't memorized it yet). Yes, perhaps one of the most overplayed pieces, but I don't care, I absolutely *LOVE* this piece, hence my screen name. I found the middle section of this piece to be perfect level of challenge for me. So now I'm wondering - what's next? Just to give you some ideas, I've started learning the Revolutionary Etude, which is a bit of a stretch, and I'm not in any rush to finish it but I'm having fun with it; I love Chopin and can play several Chopin preludes - all the easier ones (2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 15, 17, 20) as well as #5, which is harder for me - on my technical edge. I'm learning the Chopin Waltz Opus 64, No. 2 - this is beautiful but not much of a challenge.

So I'm looking for ideas on pieces to add to my repetoire that are a little more of a challenge but not overly daunting - somehow I seem drawn to pieces that are either not challenging enough or are too challenging. I love Chopin, Brahms, and Beethoven in particular, but am open to all composers.  Any suggestions? Thanks very much in advance!

[bernhard]

Ottorino Respighi’s Notturno (Naxos has a CD with the complete piano music of Respighi) might interest you.

Also have a look at these extensive repertory lists :

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2959.msg25869.html#msg25869
(short, melodious pieces by Debussy)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5108.msg48681.html#msg48681
(Grieg’s Notturno)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1314.msg14339.html#msg14339
(Grieg’s Lyric pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5143.msg49023.html#msg49023
(Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words).

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1943.msg15389.html#msg15389
(Haunting Nocturnal pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,1970.msg15762.html#msg15762
(easy sonatas)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2035.msg16633.html#msg16633
(Shostakovich preludes op. 34)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2363.msg20436.html#msg20436
(Barber piano pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2372.msg20574.html#msg20574
(New music – Less than 7 minutes long)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4094.msg38101.html#msg38101
(Liszt easy pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4140.msg38111.html#msg38111
(True repertory for total beginners)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4227.msg39060.html#msg39060
(contemporary and modern pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4238.msg39061.html#msg39061
(easy show off pieces)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4371.msg40871.html#msg40871
(Mendelssohn favourites)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4737.msg44794.html#msg44794
(Jacques Duphly)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,4827.msg45824.html#msg45824
(English virginalists)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2339.msg20064.html#msg20064
(Scarlatti sonatas).

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,3865.msg34994.html#msg34994
(Schumann’s music –  Album blatter and bunte blatter))

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Brian Healey]

Hey, I'm with you. Claire de Lune may be "overplayed", but it's still one of my favorite pieces. I never get sick of playing it.

Perhaps try Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2. It's also considered "overplayed" by many people, but it's another piece I find too beautiful to ever get tired of. It also sounds like it's at your level. Another suggestion might be Khachaturian's Toccata. It's a very cool sounding piece, I absolutely love it. Some might consider it a "showpiece," probably because of it's agressive, percussive nature, but it sounds harder than it is. If you can play Claire de Lune, you'll have no problem.

But of course, Bernhard's overwhelming list of links should give you ample ideas. 


Peace,
Bri