Piano Forum

Pages: [1] Go Down

Topic: New, and looking for something new. (Read 1818 times)

exigence

PS Silver Member
Full Member
Posts: 108

New, and looking for something new.

on: June 17, 2005, 12:26:57 AM

As you can see, I'm new here. I've been playing the piano for the better part of six years, although in a "different" circumstance - I'm self-taught. I never had a piano lesson, nor did I ever really want one; rather, I kind of enjoyed doing my own thing and learning from various sources along the way, along with lots and lots of trial and error. Probably more than necessary, of course - and as a result, I'm not as advanced as I could be, given the time - but that's that. I'm also 20 and currently majoring in psychology (for medical school more than anything else), and thanks to college and other "issues," I am pretty out of practice these days.

Anyway, I've only been reading here for a day or two, but I'm kinda looking around for something new and a bit challenging, and am open to suggestions.

Things I've been playing recently, with considerable results:
Scriabin - "the" etude, 8:12, and the G flat minor prelude, the opus of which I've forgotten;
Chopin - The Op. 40 Polonaises, A ("Military") and C minor (if you're in Texas and know what the UIL is, I received a "1" in both district and state competitions off of these two in two consecutive years back in high school.)

Once upon a time, when I was far more consistent with my playing:
Beethoven - The third mvmt. (or the finale, depending on your edition, it seems) of the Appassionata (since that's what I went to first, for other reasons), though not quite up to par;
Chopin's first scherzo, also quite rough around the edges. I wouldn't dare play either for anyone else, but right before I started falling out due to other life concerns, those were the two on which I was slowly, slowly progressing - but far from "finished."

Given those assumptions, have you any suggestions for something new to go to? I have a huge collection, both CD- and print-wise, so chances are I have most of what you would suggest.

Incidentally, I've chanced upon a few comparisons of the Bbmin scherzo to various other works - I wonder if maybe that would be an idea.

Thanks.

Logged

BoliverAllmon

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 4155

Re: New, and looking for something new.

Reply #1 on: June 17, 2005, 01:46:11 AM

congrats on the UIL placing. I am from texas and am familiar with the UIL.

Logged

BoliverAllmon

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 4155

Re: New, and looking for something new.

Reply #2 on: June 17, 2005, 01:47:33 AM

is it only a Tx thing though?

Logged

mlsmithz

PS Silver Member
Full Member
Posts: 182

Re: New, and looking for something new.

Reply #3 on: June 17, 2005, 05:12:41 AM

How about something by the Impressionists - Debussy, Faure, Ravel, Satie if you're feeling adventurous? Given what you can play already, a lot of Debussy should be accessible - it probably wouldn't take long to learn the Suite bergamasque or Children's Corner (I learned both of those in fairly short order when I was halfway through my BA in mathematics, and I could play the Chopin Op.40 Polonaises reasonably well at the same time), or try some of the Images, Estampes, or Pour le piano for a greater challenge. I'm rather less well versed in Faure and Ravel and only know the Gymnopedies and Gnossiennes by Satie, but I suspect some of the Faure Barcarolles, Nocturnes, and Impromptus might fit in with what you're after.

Logged

bernhard

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 5078

Re: New, and looking for something new.

Reply #4 on: June 17, 2005, 06:35:08 PM

Have a look in these threads (just the tip of the iceberg

Logged

The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side. (Hunter Thompson)

exigence

PS Silver Member
Full Member
Posts: 108

Re: New, and looking for something new.

Reply #5 on: June 18, 2005, 06:39:58 AM

... Whoa. Thank you for putting that together, Bernhard - much appreciated.

Yes, I think UIL is a Texas thing only. It wasn't all that long ago... my sophomore and junior years in high school, and I'm a college junior now. If I remember correctly, I had the same guy as a judge at state both years; really friendly professor at SWT, I believe.

Logged

Sign-up to post reply

Pages: [1] Go Up

For more information about this topic, click search below!

Piano Street Magazine:
Enfant Terrible or Childishly Innocent? – Prokofiev’s Complete Piano Works Now on Piano Street

In our ongoing quest to provide you with a complete library of classical piano sheet music, the works of Sergey Prokofiev have been our most recent focus. As one of the most distinctive and original musical voices from the first half of the 20th century, Prokofiev has an obvious spot on the list of top piano composers. Welcome to the intense, humorous, and lyrical universe of his complete Sonatas, Concertos, character pieces, and transcriptions! Read more

Piano Forum

Topic: New, and looking for something new. (Read 1818 times)

Piano Street Magazine:Enfant Terrible or Childishly Innocent? – Prokofiev’s Complete Piano Works Now on Piano Street

Piano Street Magazine:
Enfant Terrible or Childishly Innocent? – Prokofiev’s Complete Piano Works Now on Piano Street