performing Prokofiev

[pianoboi666]

I just recently learned Prokofiev Sonata No. 7 and will be performing it in a concert with my fellow classmates.  I am a senior in Highschool.  my teacher has made 2 suggestions, and she has also planned an encore for me as it is my last concert in my highschool career.  I am closing the concert, and she has suggested that I come back out and play either Balaikirev-islamey or the Prokofiev Toccata.  I do know both pieces and I'm fine for either one, the toccata seems more of an encore type piece to me, but I don't know.  plz lemme know what you think.and also ne advice about performing the sonata, little hints or tips would be great this will be my first performance of this piece, and it is also the biggest piece that i have performed. I figure it's a great way to end high school. 

Thanks,

Dan

[SDL]

Balakirev would be slightly different than all Prokofiev.  But I would have done something completely different for an encore as its always good to show off a different music skill than all Russian and its like a new "flavour" for the audience's palette.... something contrasting. (Schumann, Liszt, Chopin? theres loads of stuff)

Have you learnt any of the other Sonatas?  I always think the 2nd movt of this one sounds like a German Salon piece in WW2 - I like the nostagia.

[Skeptopotamus]

i love the toccata.  please do that one.  and yes, it is much more of an encore piece.


plus it is just so cool!

[steinwayguy]

I say go for the Tocatta. As far as advice on performing the piece- practice a lot

[pianoboi666]

yes I do know other sonatas I have done the 1st, 2nd. 3rd, 6th(not memorized yet) and 9th.  In case you haven't noticed I am a prokofiev nut I think he is a friggin god and I aspire to learn every piece he has ever written, I also know the visions fugitives, half of Romeo and Juliet, and Diabolical suggestions.  I have practiced a tremendous amount and will continue to eat sleep and drink prokofiev 24/7 until April 18th when I will perform these things, I also do have time to learn some Schumann, Liszt or Chopin just lemme know what you had in mind and I'll check it out. but as for right now I think i'm gonna go with the toccata as it is one of my favorites, and i think islamey would be a bit too long for an encore.

Thanks,

Dan

[BoliverAllmon]

pogorelich recently performed islamey for an encore. It can and has been done.

[anda]

i never played islamey, but i know for sure that the prokofiev toccata will raise the audience.

[iumonito]

Wow, Pianoboy.  Nice repertoire.  You should play the cycle of all of them + visions fugitives (sure, the first is not in the same style and you'll have to play the 5th two times, but I think it is a cool project).

You should have a second encore ready.  Don't tell anybody what it is.  This is the true tradition of how encores are done. 

Try some Ginastera too.  You may like it.  Nice entrance points are his first sonata and the three Argentine dances.  Two very nice and underplayed concerti too.

break a leg.

[BoliverAllmon]

I doubt he would use a concerti for encore

[will]

but as for right now I think i'm gonna go with the toccata as it is one of my favorites, and i think islamey would be a bit too long for an encore.

This was my initial reaction to your question, that islamey is too long for an encore. Good luck with the concert.

[the_ts]

In case you haven't noticed I am a prokofiev nut I think he is a friggin god and I aspire to learn every piece he has ever written

ME TOO!!! However, I do not yet have the repetoire that you have. Ive only actually played his Suggestion Diabolique, but I have fallen in love with the Sonatas. Do you have any suggestions for a good starter sonata, preferably one that is not too much of a step away, technically speaking, from the Suggestion Diabolique (obviously, however, Im trying to progress my skills so I piece that is a bit mroe challenging would be the best).

Thanks and good luck with your performance,

Tyson

[Corsair]

suggestion diabolique is a cool little piece, the opening chord sounds like the belch of satan- sonata no. 7 is a pregnant dog of a piece though, especially the first movement- great fun though!

[pianoboi666]

yes, I would suggest Sonata no.2 as your first sonata by prokofiev or go with no.1 or 3.  possibly 7 it depends on technical skill and past repetoire.

Dan