Classical piano - help?

Question

I want to really challenge myself with a new piano piece. Anything really beautiful at about grade 8/above standard. I would like a piece that was written for piano. Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanx in advance.

Umm...can't play flight of the bumblebee (yet). But I think in a year I will be good enough to learn it (14 by the way). Thanks - I'll definately make note to learn that!

But...I could play it sooner with loads of practice if it was at a slower speed... =D

Answer 1

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Op. 43 and 4 Piano Concertos

Rachmaninov - beautiful pieces - maybe not as challenging as you want, but certainly heartrendingly beautiful.

Answer 2

I actually know the grading standard you're talking about! Well, my first grade 8+ piece was Debussy's Jardins sous la pluie, which is a good choice for someone who wants more experience with impressionism.

Here's a really short list on some viable pieces you could play. I could list so many it would break down your computer, but these are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head:

1) If you aren't that experienced with Bach, give his French Suites or English Suites a try before undertaking his Preludes and Fugues. A personal recommendation would be his English Suite No. 2, Prelude.

2) Beethoven's Sonata Op. 109 (my favorite beethoven sonata!)

3) Liszt's Un Sospiro!!!! My favorite piece of all time!!! A really big Liszt piece, if you want a really big challenge, is his La Campanella.

4) Rachmaninoff's Prelude Op. 32 (particularly No. 5, No. 10, or No. 12)

5) Ravel's Jeux d'eau would take some work, but it is a very very cool piece!!!

6) Debussy's L'Isle Joyeuse

7) Brahms' Op. 118 (particularly his intermezzo no. 2 or romance no. 5) or his Op. 119 (particularly rhapsody no. 4)

Answer 3

I'm sorry, but I don't know the grading system you use.

I can however tell you of a lovely piece of piano music called 'The Girl With The Flaxen Hair' by Claude Debussy.

It is a beautiful piece and was given as homework to the pianist Peter Skellern. When Skellern played it for his tutor, the tutor was not happy and asked Skellern if he was a virgin.
Skellern replied truthfully that he was and the tutor told him to go away and not come back until he had made love to a woman...then he would be able to play the piece properly.

Skellern said it was the best piece of homework he ever had!

Answer 4

If your hands are capable of the stretch - the chords are murderous - you might take a look at some of J. Brahms Hungarian Dances.

Chopin's Etude for "the Black Keys": don't remember its number. Also his Preludes: some slow(somber and sad, but beautiful) and others rather fast.

If you haven't mastered Bach's Inventions, you should: they are wonderful preparatory pieces for the latter on difficult ones.

You may think it beyond you, but it is surprising in how simple to play it is: R. Schumann's' A-minor piano concerto.

Those are my recommendations.

Have fun,

Wotan

Answer 5

Challenge: Sabre Dance (its a fast song for Piano Solo by Khachaturian -Ca-cha-tur-e-an) --fun piece to impress a friends/a crowd

Beautiful: Clair de Lune (Debussy)

Nocturne by Grieg (slightly easy, but nonetheless beautiful...I'm playing it right now)

Piano Sonata in E minor, No. 2: Andante (Grieg) --very beautiful, and some-what of a challenge at first. (teaching myself this sonata right now).

can't think of much right now...
-m♪tt

Answer 6

Can you play Flight of the Bumblebee? Listen to Cziffra playing it on youtube.

Answer 7

pachelbels canon No 3 is a good start, slow at first then it builds up into two distinctive melodies, good luck