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Topic: New, and looking for something new. (Read 1865 times)

exigence

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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.

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BoliverAllmon

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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.

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BoliverAllmon

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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?

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mlsmithz

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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.

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bernhard

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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

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exigence

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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.

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