What would you advise to learn next?

[ana]

hi, i don't have a teacher right now, and i'm kind of confused about what to learn next.  i am 17.  i just finished playing Chopin's Nocturne in Db Major for my school's concert, and i think it went really well.  do you know of any pieces around that level that i should learn next?  i was thinking maybe the 3rd mvmt of the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven or Clair De Lune by Debussy, because i've never played anything by him. 

i'd be welcome to any suggestions

thank you so much
 

[nanabush]

Try Liebestraum, you could probably learn it, which Nocturne is Dflat Major, which number?  Claire de lune is a good intermediate choice, but I personally like the Passepied from the same suite much better.    Take a look at some of Debussy's easier preludes, they're very nice..

[porilo]

Which Liebestraum?  I guess you mean Liszt, but which one?  He wrote five.  I'd suggest either 1 or 4 ......... they're both fairly manageable.  Debussy is a good choice too although I make my retreat here because I've never played much of his music myself.  I love to listen to his piano music but don't feel that I can perform it well. 

Gregory

[nanabush]

Ummmm 5 Liebestraums?  wow, I thought there were only 2, I meant the Aflat Major one that is overplayed but nonetheless sounds terrific!

O yeah, If you want a good piece to learn next, The heart asks pleasure first by Micheal Nyman, or Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum by Debussy from children's corner, or even March for the love of three oranges, but watch out the last page is quite difficult...

[porilo]

Yes, there are definitely 5, although I think the last 2 have only fairly recently come to light. They are all included on Leslie Howard's recording of the complete piano music of Liszt - around 80 CDs in total, I believe     The Aflat major is actually the third one.

Gregory

[pianoboi666]

he is correct, there are 5.  and they are all wonderful.  but newayz if your wanting to do Beethoven, I'd go for either the first and second movements of the Pathetique, the first movement of the Tempest, first movement of Op. 10 No.3 or the third of moonlight sonata, just please please please don't waste your time on that dreadfully overplayed and awful first movement.  if you're wanting to go with debussy, I'd suggest jardins sous la pluie from the estampes.  or the sunken cathedral (one of the preludes)

Dan

[quasimodo]

Also from Debussy, the prelude "... La fille aux cheveux de Lin" is beautiful and quite friendly.

From Schubert : Scherzo D 593 N.1, Andante D29, Impromptus

Gabriel Fauré : Nocturnes

Rachmaninov : Moment musicaux N.3, N.5

Mendelssohn : Songs without words Op. 19 N.1, Op. 30 N.1, Op. 62 N., Op 38 N.6, Op.62 N.6

..............

[shasta]

Hi ana

I think Debussy's 1st Arabesque would be great for you.

[Glyptodont]

The piece mentioned, "La fille aux cheveux de Lin," is truly beautiful, and I once spent quite a bit of time learning it, years ago.  Not sure I ever made a success out of it -- e.g., up to tempo, etc.

One aspect of that Prelude that daunts me, it has the key with either 5 or 6 flats, (trying to recall) and in addition, the score is peppered with many accidentals of various kinds. 

Key signature from hell?   (Humor)

For a highly skilled musician, this should be no problem.  For me, it is a problem, because I am continually struggling to keep the black keys separate from the white keys. 

But the piece is beautiful, not too long, and rewards the effort.

I would suggest the Chopin Waltz, Op. 34, No. 2.  It is manageable at your level of skill, and I think you will love the sound -- especially the second melody where he goes over to a major key.  As with most of Chopin, there's great need for the pianist to interpret -- just hitting all the notes is not enough.  This adds to the fun.

Another really nice piece at about this difficulty level is Ravel's "Pavane for a Dead Princess."  Absolutely beautiful. 

Best luck--

[nanabush]

Yeah, you should definately try Le Cathedrale Englouttie, aka sunken cathedral in english... It's a very nice piece, except there are very strange chords, that you will probably not be able to sight read.  For example a C major chord with a D and a B flat in it, but like 14 of those in a row...  Try it, it's such a nice piece, and the ending is absolutely perfect...