new Brahms piece

[liszmaninopin]

I think I might like to begin work on a new piece (I'm only really working on 3 pieces now, and can handle another one); and I have selected Brahms because I don't play anything of his.  Can anybody suggest any Brahms pieces that have a wide range of dynamics, tend to be think in texture, rather large in scale, and would appeal to many audiences?

[BuyBuy]

I suggest his Sonata op. 5, or his Etude : variation on a theme of Paganini.

Both are very difficult, but the first one is probably the most easy for audiences.

[liszmaninopin]

Thank you for the suggestions, BuyBuy!

[BoliverAllmon]

It isn't large in scale, but I do enjoy playing Brahms' A flat major waltz. All the rolled chords make for a wonderful sound!

Boliver Allmon

[dreamaurora]

Hi, Liszmaninopin, Brahms have many wonderful and enjoyable pieces to listen and practice, but unfortunately, most of them require immense technical capability and not to mention, extremely mature musicianship. It would be ill advised to try out his sonatas, transcriptions,  paganini variations as his first pieces, as most likely you won't be able to intepret them decently.

On the brighter side, there are some more accesible Brahms pieces, available, I'll list them for you :
- Op 118 pieces, see especially no 2, Intermezzo in A major, possibly Brahm's most popular piano piece, playing the entire op 118 set is very effective in concert
- Rhapsody op 79 no 2 , difficult and popular too, no 1 is much harder though
- Waltz op 39 no 15, very very popular waltz, its appopriate for your first Brahm piece

[Hmoll]

It depends on what your other repertoire is, but there is absolutely no way you should play any of his sonatas or the Pagannini Variations if you have not played any Brahms yet.  The Pagannini Variations especially are some of the most difficult music  - technically and interpretively - in the piano repertoire.
Dreamaurora's suggestions make a lot of sense.
Start with one or two  of the shorter pieces in op76, 116, 118, 119.
Also, look at the four ballades Op. 10. Numbers 1 and two of that set are very effective in performance.