Scary Piece

[nanabush]

I saw a section on a thread mentioning 'ghost' pieces, but has anyone played or does anyone know of a piece that sounds almost frightening, kind of intense, if you know what I mean, or a spooky song, of about performance level..

[dlu]

How about Scriabin Sonata No. 9 "Black Mass"

[thalbergmad]

The Horowitz-Saint Saens Dance Macabre scares the hell out of me. Playing it or listening to it.

[c18cont]

I agree on the Scriabin...

John Cont

[paris]

dante

[Regulus Medtner]

Medtner's Sonata Romantica in many parts is both frightening and ghost-like. There are several powerful moments, like the end of the first movement; sinister eddies of semiquavers leading without interruption to the hectic scherzo, "which conjures up the terrors of hell and chaos". In several instances of the finale, macabre swirls of notes bear striking resemblance to howling spirits.

I've always thought that the romantic notion of this piece is kind of perverse, like watching the world through a distorting glass. Magnificent piano writing and haunting melodies.

[Teddybear]

The only one I've found scary so far is Le Gibet from Gaspard de la nuit. I remember hearing a recording by Pogorelich, which was very good, but Argerich's version is so eerie I don't know when I'll be able to listen to it again. For some reason, knowing the story of Le Gibet doesn't make it any easier.

T

[nanabush]

Thanks for opinions, but I think i'll stay away from black mass sonata for probly a long time, it looks sooo difficult.  And le Gibet, I want to learn that, but I give up where it's the descending chords, even though it's so slow, they have no pattern, and I always forget which notes are in them.  Any others?

[Lance Morrison]

pierrot lunaire

[C-A]

Those pieces you mentioned aren't scary! My teacher played it for me- doesn't scare me or even her.

But in Chopin's B-flat minor Sonata, the 3rd movement doesn't scare me, but it freaks out my listeners! They think that death is lurking near them whenever I play it! Even the other 3 movements caused them goosebumps because of the way I play it! LOL

[ted]

Frank Bridge was a master of the eldritch and the numinous. A sinister undercurrent runs through a large proportion of his piano pieces.

[apion]

Liszt Totentanz for piano and orchestra (Totentanz means "Dance of Death").

[nicko124]

Imperial March (from the Star Wars Films) is quite a scary piece.

You can get the sheets here:-

https://www.gamingforce.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6257

[Etude]

Although not for piano, 'Canticum Canticorum Salomonis' by Penderecki is really creepy, listen here

[Lex]

Scriabin's 6th is even more "scary" to my ears (in fact it is the only one of his sonatas that he did not perform publicly.....because he said it frightened him), but it is just as difficult as the 9th so it may be beyond you at the moment.

Prokofiev's Diabolical Suggestion, Op.4, No.4  might be a good choice for you.

It can be downloaded here. https://www.sheetmusicarchive.net/single_listing.cfm?composer_id=36

[hodi]

bump
any more scary pieces u know?

[jre58591]

wow, old thread. id have to agree with the medtner sonata romantica. the part between the 1st and 2nd movements scares the hell outta me.

[nakedape]

the last minute or so from the 3rd mvmt of the Barber piano concerto really did scare me when i first heard it.

[apion]

Beethoven, Piano Trio op. 70 no. 1, slow movement

[pianowolfi]

This

is scary

[pianistimo]

the eye glare does kinda freak one if they don't play piano.  i think her intensity is quite brilliant since she is not overtly trying to get attention.  but all black outfit?  hmm.

anything by prokofiev will scare anybody most all the time.  you have to have the same intensity as this artist - and then start poking about.  even peter and the wolf.  countless children this composer has scared.  and yet, their parents keep bringing them back.

[klavierkonzerte]

the third movment ruebke organ sonata on 94 psalm

it doesn't get  anymore disturbing than this.

stradal made a piano transcription of it.