need one more piece

[raffyplayspiano]

hey everyone,
this is my first topic that i initiate. 
I am writing because i have just finished my last semester in undergrad, and all i am lacking is a final recital which i am doing in the summer term.  this is my program:

Bach: English Suite (complete)
Haydn: Sonata in E flat No. 59 (complete)
Chopin: Nocturne in F sharp major
Brahms: Rhapsody # 1 in B minor
Debussy: Hommage a Rameau

I met with my instructor today, and I told him how I would like to add one piece that would be good to finish thge program with.  something fast, but not ridiculously difficult.   He however, is leaving to spain for a week, and we kind of went on a tangent and he didnt give any suggestions, although he agreed with me on adding a piece.
 I have pretty much learned all that I am playing, i am jsut polishing.  the recital is august first. 

If anyone has any suggestions, I would GREATLY appreciate it. 
Thanks!
:)raffy

[shasta]

Based on the pieces you've already listed, Lecuona's Andalusia Suite (Cordoba, Andaluza, Alhambra, Gitanerias, Guadalquivir, and the famous Malaguena) would be a piece of cake for you in no time.  All are stylish, a blast to play, a blast to listen to, and sound much more challenging then they really are.

Plus, your other composers are, no offense, fairly "standard."  Throw a monkey-wrench in your program by giving the audience (and perhaps yourself) a different composer to enjoy.

Good luck!!

[raffyplayspiano]

hey, thnks for the reply.  I checked if my library has the score, and they do!  I ahve never heard of this composer, but I will look into it immediately.  I will let you know what I think. 

any other suggestions,...anyone?
raffy

[shasta]

Hi raffy, here's a link to audio clips of the Andalusia Suite if you'd like to hear them (scroll down a little, and they are tracks 2-7).  The other pieces on that CD rock as well.

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000016N9/qid=1118405683/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/102-6344097-6716124

Hope you enjoy them!

[rachmaninoff_969]

Flight of the Bumblebee transcription by Rachmaninoff!!!    nah, seriously what about Beethoven's Rage over a lost Penny...and if you want a big finish, what about a flashy Scriabin etude?  It sounds funny, but I ended a recital with his Op. 8 no. 12 and the audience loved it.

Anyway, good luck with the recital!

- A

[Goldberg]

At first, I thought your screen name stood for "Raff Plays the Piano" but then I saw the "y" at the end of Raff and realised otherwise. Do you know about the composer Joachim Raff, though? He has some nice (if you're into Romantic salon-ish music like Thalberg, Sauer, and Herz) pieces, and for a big finish I might suggest his Don Giovanni Fantasy...certainly you've heard Liszt's, but Raff's is more concise, much easier, and still pretty effective (though, one may argue, maybe not as much as Liszt's...). At least for those who trash Liszt for "over-indulgent flashiness" and so forth, Raff's paraphrase is more elegant and subdued, though it still does end with the famous Don Giovanni aria from the second act.

Anyway, I dunno if that interests you or not. It'd be a neat, obscure piece from an obscure composer that has some oomph and good Mozart melodies to boot. I usually don't hand out sheet music, but if you really want to I can slip you a copy (PM me) to look over. I don't have any recordings, though!

[klavierkonzerte]

liadov prelude in bflat minor, it's just perfect

[mound]

maybe a Ravel Sonatine?

[raffyplayspiano]

thnks for all the suggestions.  i will look into all of them,

some of these pieces im not too familiar with,
keem 'em coming!
raffy

[joeplaysthepiano]

what about completing the opus in the brahms and doing the gminor one?  I've played the gminor but not the bminor.  How long did it take you to learn the bminor rhapsody?  Really difficult? 

I know that the gminor is supposed to be easier than that one, so I just wanted to get a taste for how hard the bminor one might be.  The gminor one is very fun to play.

[raffyplayspiano]

hey Joeplaysthepiano!
cool name!  lol

that is not a bad idea.  The b minor took me about 3 months of hard work, because it has some awkard writing for the hands.  Also, it is a bit longer than the other Rhapsodies.  I am not a BIG fan of the G minor, although i must admit, that is not a bad idea.  Maybe I could do that, however, I would prefer something more contemporary I guess.  I dont know,,I have the music for it, Ill look at it   I find the b minor is more rewarding than the G minor.  You should definitely look at it though.  Thanks for the suggesstion!
good luck
raffy