Need Repetoire Help (Mephisto, Polonaise, Liszt)

[WizardHowl]

Hey guys, I'm starting up a whole brand new repetoire and I need major advice. I wa swondering what you guys think. I need one large solo piece thats really awesome. I'm debating between Liszt Mephisto Waltz, or Vallee D'obermann from Liszts' Annees de Pelerinage. Which do you guys think will be a better choice? Other choices for solo pieces include Chopin f# minor polonaise, or the Ab Polonaise-Fantasie by chopin.
Also I'm looking for a piece to play with an orchestra like a concerto or something of the sort. Do you guys think Rhapsody on a theme by Paginini is worth learning? I have always loved this piece so much. I'm not sure if this piece is supposed to be really impossible to learn or not, so any advice is appreciated. My technicality is right where learning Mephisto Waltz will be a challenge but not impossible, mephisto waltz is right at my level so that I can improve my musicianship and technicality. So how will Rhapsody on a theme by paganini by rachmaninoff fair for me?
Also if you guys have any opinions on any solo piece that would be gereatly appreciated. I'm looking for a piece that contrasts a lot, it can show very heart warming feelings through slower parts, but then amazing large chords or really flashy sections, and a song that ends with a big ending. Any songs like this I'd appreciate, thanks!

[pianojems]

I think you should definitely learn the Mephisto Waltz because it is exciting and engaging to the audience. As far as music for piano and orchestra what have you played before? This will help to know what level of music you should choose 

[WizardHowl]

Thanks for the quick reply! the only piece I've ever played with the audience before is the grieg concerto, that's why I'm so wary abotu the rhapsody, I just love the piece so much.


Also!!! I totally forgot, I've always wanted to play the chopin Barcarolle op. 60, is that piece too hard? I think it's one of the most beatiful pieces in teh world, and I think I'm personally much better at playing lyrical chopin type pieces. Maybe this and the mephisto will make a good combination, what do you think?

[steinwayguy]

Chopin Barcarolle, Mephisto Waltz and a non-Romantic concerto. You could learn the Rhapsody, if you wanted (it's hard as hell, harder than Rach 2 for example), but I think with the Chopin and Liszt you need some modern or classical to balance it out. Maybe Beethoven's Emperor Concerto or Bartok's 3rd.

[musicsdarkangel]

Wow, you named three pieces in your post that I am working on, have worked on, or played part/most of within the last year.

The Mephisto Waltz is tons of fun....I say do it if you enjoy it.  I stopped because I have to learn a bunch of other music for a compitition in 3 months.

Chopin Polonaise op 44 is awesome.  It is IMO the most technically challenging of the polonaises (not counting Grande Polonaise Brilliante).  I am working on this for the compitition, so if you start learning, we can give eachother advice.

The Rachmaninoff Rhapsody is TONS more difficult than it sounds.  I would definitely say that it's more of a challenge than Mephisto Waltz.  This is a Rach concerto, and the tempos on it can really go quickly.  I am also working on this for the compitition.  Some of the leaps, the octaves, and 16th note passages are insanely fast, but it is doable.

All three of these pieces are great, beneficial, and difficult.

[tabris]

I also find the Rhapsody to be a really cool piece.  But since people have suggested a concerto from a different time period I think Prokofiev's 1st would be good or the 3rd.  I'm not as familiar with Bartok's stuff but I do remember enjoying his concertos.  Beethoven's 5th is also a good idea, although an overplayed one.

Just out of curiosity, can anyone tell me how Prokofiev's 1st compares to the Rachmaninov Rhapsody in terms of overall difficulty.