Some new peices

[abe]

I'm just starting the following three peices, and need some tips from anyone whose played them:

1.) Bach- Fugue C# major (WTC I, no. 3 i think)--I've got the prelude about wrapped up, and my teacher told me this fugue was pretty tricky, partly because the key sig. is hard to read. Any sections that I should look at first and get out of the way? My teacher told me I may have to practice it voices separately b/c it's too hard to sight read through effectively.

2.) Debussy- Sunken Cathedral (La Cathedrale engloutie)--Not hard technically, some awkward chords, my teacher gave it as sort of an intro. to Debussy (she said I'll start faux d'artifice soon  )...Is there a certian way I should play the chords, as its Debussy?

3.)Brahms- Rhapsody B minor op. 79/1--Probably the hardest of the three. Which sections are the hardest? I really love this peice, so I'm excited to learn it.


And then my teacher gave me the music to the Saint-Saens PC 2 G-minor, and Schumman PC A-minor, told me to look at them and decide which I want to play...
Originally it seemed as though the Saint-Saens was harder, comparing the sheet music in front of me, but after playing some of it, it seems very pianistic and natural. I like both concertos, and I probably will choose the easiest of the two to play  .

Thanks,
--Abe

[Goldberg]

Sorry, I can't relate to your new pieces, but of the concerti I would do the Schumann.

[SteinwayTony]

I'm glad you're learning the first Brahms Rhapsody (there are actually only two in Op. 79).  Do learn the second as well and hopefully perform them together if you get the chance; they're made for each other. 

Their relationship reminds me of the Fantasia in C minor, K.475 and the Sonata in C minor, K.457 of Mozart.  They just need to be performed as one unit.

One thought on the Debussy...you're playing Fireworks, right?  That would be Feux d'Artifice.  You said you'd be starting Artifical Fake soon. 

I'm fully aware that this post wasn't helpful in the least.  But good luck! 

[abe]

lol, thanks for the spelling correction, Steinway...yes it will be Fireworks not whatever I had written. I'm taking German, not French, as a language...
Actually I learnt the second Rhapsody of opus 79 a few months ago, maybe I'll bring it back once the other is finished and perform them together as you suggested.

--Abe

[SteinwayTony]

Feuerwerke, ja? 

[lenny]

btw - id play the SS concerto - way more fun to me

[abe]

Let me pose another question--if I may--about the choice of concertos:

Which concerto will help me improve my technique more? In other words, which peice will make my playing better?

I realize this question might be impossible to answer, but I want to choose the one that will be the most beneficial, since I love them both.

[anda]

saint-saens 2nd is more complex technically (raises more types of problems); schumann is much more complex from any other point of view.

as for debussy, just one tip - don't know whether this will help, anyway: try playing each chord is as many ways as you can, subtly emphasizing one or another note, searching for colours. and go to a museum, or find a book on impressionists (painters, i mean) - just look at these paintings before starting practicing.

best luck

[musicsdarkangel]

I'm just starting the following three peices, and need some tips from anyone whose played them:

1.) Bach- Fugue C# major (WTC I, no. 3 i think)--I've got the prelude about wrapped up, and my teacher told me this fugue was pretty tricky, partly because the key sig. is hard to read. Any sections that I should look at first and get out of the way? My teacher told me I may have to practice it voices separately b/c it's too hard to sight read through effectively.
\

Thanks,
--Abe

The Fugue C# major is IMO by far the hardest fugue in that book (and the 2nd, with the exception of MAYBE a 5 part fugue).  It is not just the key signature that makes this piece tricky, but the notes being everywhere and busy all of the time.  It is annoying to memorize, annoying to finger correctly, and tricky to get each voice to stand out exactly the way you want it to.

However, when it is finished, it is incredibly fun to play.  Just remember to stay light, go through each voice separately, and make sure that you are not muscling at it.  Listen to recordings of it.


By the way, both of those concertos are excellent, you will have fun with either one.

[steinwayguy]

The Fugue C# major is IMO by far the hardest fugue in that book (and the 2nd, with the exception of MAYBE a 5 part fugue). It is not just the key signature that makes this piece tricky, but the notes being everywhere and busy all of the time. It is annoying to memorize, annoying to finger correctly, and tricky to get each voice to stand out exactly the way you want it to.

I agree, the C# major from book I is certainly one of the hardest fugues in book I if not the entire WTC.


About the concerto- the Schumann is widely regarded as a "true test for a pianist's versatility", demanding nearly everything a pianist needs to do. It's such a great piece, and so much better than Saint-Saens (IMO, I believe this was discussed elsewhere), you should definitely do Schumann.

[pianowelsh]

feux d artifices - really take time at the start to sit down and work out all the tempi and rhythmic relationships and do lots of metronome practice - rhythmic clarity is SO important in that piece otherwords it sounds like your fireworks got soggy! NOT good. Cathedral engloutie is beautiful you should have fun with that. It is an excellent chord study and so atmospheric, I must revise it I played it for auditions years ago . Brahms Rhapsody is a fantastic piece it stands very well on its own though don't feel you can only play it in rel to op79/2. The central section is one of the most beautiful moments it reminds me of a passage in his op5 sonata which is also gorgeous. When I studied it it was the hurling 8ves that I found most difficult as It was a while ago and my keyboard geography was not so good - practice with a blind fold is the way forward if this is a problem for you. As for concerto Why not learn them both? I take it the saint saens you suggested is the gmin one? It is a very fine concerto very Bachian in many respects - i would say it will give you more of a technical workout than the schumann but the schumann requires a really integrated technique more so than the saint saens. Neither are easy options but enjoy which ever one you decide on . All the best ! Good Luck