Obscure but Brilliant Chopin Pieces

[invsblmn]

What are some fairly obscure (under-recorded and under-performed) but brilliant pieces by Chopin?

I don't know if it's just me but it has to be the Grande Polonaise Brillante (I came across it in the movie The Pianist). I'd never really heard it before. I'm working on it right now. It simply sparkles.

[klavierkonzerte]

rondo in c minor, i just love it

[Waldszenen]

Prelude in C Sharp Minor, Op. 45

Three Ecossaises, Op. 72 (?)

[pianomann1984]

Not sure where you guys are from, but in UK, I rarely hear any of the variations that he wrote, though they are easily available in the Paderewski editions.  The Grandes Variations Brilliants are incredible, I seem to remember (I dont have my score) that there are even variations on the Carnival of Venice (though I dont think they are called that) which are  great fun.

Happy Hunting!

Chris

[presto agitato]

 Allegro de Concerto in A major Op. 46

[vivace]

I thought I'd at least heard of everything Chopin until recently. I saw Olga Kern in recital and one of the pieces on the program was a Bolero, Op. 19 by Chopin! According to the program notes, it was written in 1833. It sounded like a spanish polinaise, if that makes any sense.

Anyhow, it was a very brilliant piece (as in sparkly) and was played beautifully by Olga Kern. Anyone know where to find the score?

[Kassaa]

I thought I'd at least heard of everything Chopin until recently. I saw Olga Kern in recital and one of the pieces on the program was a Bolero, Op. 19 by Chopin! According to the program notes, it was written in 1833. It sounded like a spanish polinaise, if that makes any sense.

Anyhow, it was a very brilliant piece (as in sparkly) and was played beautifully by Olga Kern. Anyone know where to find the score?

I have it in a PDF file, you can email me if you want it at     t i m d e e l e n 4 7 @ hotmail.com, (type my emailaddress without the spaces)

[SteinwayTony]

Listen to his first sonata in C minor, Op. 4.

[brokenagraffe]

idk if this one's obscure but Introduction and Polonaise Brillante Op.3 for Cello and piano is pretty awesome. i saw a video of Pierre Fournier playing it with some dude with clean technique. there's also a recording out with Yo-Yo Ma with Emmanuel Ax (also contains a solo piano version of the polonaise).

[IanT]

A lot of these pieces are gathered together in one volume published by Schirmer - 'Miscellaneous Compositions'.  It has the Bolero, Tarantelle (no one's mentioned that yet!), Allegro de Concert, the 3 Ecossaises,  2 sets of variations (including Grand Variations Brillantes).  It also has the Berceuse and Barcarolle.

Ian

[pocorina]

Listen to his first sonata in C minor, Op. 4.

God, this is my favourite piece, after the ballade no.1. <shudders>

Anyway, i also think the La Ci Darem Le Mano variations are amazing. I love 'em!

[ralessi]

someone has mentioned variations in a book and gave another name but i think that the Variations on La Ci Darem la Mano (from Don Giovanni) is phenominal! and nobody has mentioned it.  nor recorded it for that matter! i have been talking to my teacher about piano/orchestra..ill spring this on him and hopefully ill be able to start it in the fall semester!

Cheers!
Ricky

[beethoartok]

Probably one of the most under played and under recorded but brilliant Chopin pieces is...

Variations on "Là ci darem la mano", op. 2 (1828)

..apparently this was one of the first songs Chopin performed that impressed professional musicians.

[minimozart007]

idk if this is obscure, but I would have to say the Op. 36 Impromptu

[sharon_f]

Probably one of the most under played and under recorded but brilliant Chopin pieces is...

Variations on "Là ci darem la mano", op. 2 (1828)

Absolutely.

[Curare]

God, this is my favourite piece, after the ballade no.1. <shudders>

I'm absolutely with you guys on the C minor sonata.  I'm obsessed with it.  I'm not ready to play it yet, but it is my goal to play the first 3 movements in the next couple years.

[C-A]

Valse Op.42 and Op.34 no.1 are obscure but they're so nice to hear
Impromptus Op.29, 36 and 51 are obscure, but its nice to listen to them.

[joell12068]

The Variations on a theme of Rossini for flute and piano.  Perhaps not brilliant, but definately obscure and should be heard more.
 

[turner]

Chopin's Tarantelle is a great show-off piece. It's much smaller in scale and scope when compared to Liszt's Tarantelle, but Chopin's is brilliantly written. It'd make a great encore.

[JamesS]

Not sure how obscure this really is, but the forth Scherzo. I feel it is not played as much as the other three and I cannot for one moment understand why, it is possibly the greatest of them all, in my opinion.

J

[ahmedito]

I hate Chopins piano trio, and they made me play it in school, its terrible, I hate... but its very obscure

[freddychopin]

Op. 74 !! Not only the maiden wish, but all pieces in Op. 74. I love the Liszt transcription Op. 74/12 Moja Pieszcotka (Meine Freuden). All the pieces of op. 74 have brought great transcriptions.

[decadent]

Absolutely.

I really enjoy the C minor sonata too, but can someone please explain to me why its often been dismissed as a academic piece that hold no musical value? Dubal even described it as "difficult and ungrateful".  Can anyone enlighten me whats so bad about this piece??