Classical Piano Recommendations

twilexia · 01-23-2009, 07:55 PM

Rachmaninoff is always a pleasure

cnelson · 01-25-2009, 05:59 PM

"Girl with the flaxen hair" by Debussy.
Chase W. Nelson

machoo · 02-04-2009, 01:38 PM

The great John Peel chose Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano concerto on Desert Island Discs. And he certainly knows a thing or two about music.

iiraiykha · 02-07-2009, 01:20 PM

I play no instrument but "voice", but i am learning piano, i researched your style and i think that you could "appreciate" yoko shimomura. She is a game composer but she is famous for her use of piano. also maybe hamauzu masashi

The Robot Hunter · 02-07-2009, 02:37 PM

Two requests, one stone: Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
Paganini was so influential to his era's composers. As I understand it Paganini set the bar so high for virtuosity on violin, composers tried to match it on their own instruments, this was Rachmaninov's (successful) attempt.

Amaranth · 03-30-2009, 02:14 AM

Although I am not nearly as familiar with most of the composers mentioned, I have recently been introduced to Maksim Mrvica, a piano player from Croatia, and I am addicted.

Therefore I highly recommend you check out some of his music, it's fairly modern but still amazing.

Some of my favorites are his Flight of the Bumblebee, Nostradamus, and Exodus, but there are many more that are equally as awesome.

SATCHMO · 03-30-2009, 02:19 AM

I am partial to Eric Satie's Gymnopedies very simple, but very eloquent.

peterbaby7 · 04-27-2009, 08:34 AM

Try Two Nocturnes

mickyj300x · 05-29-2009, 11:39 PM

Alright then, virtuosity, you say...
If you're after piano virtuosity, then I suggest C.V Alkan. His works contain some of the most death-defying runs (On par with many of Liszt's works) I've had the chance to come into contact with. His metronome marks are often ridiculously fast, and they contain a lot of musical interest (in my opinion). Although they may not be the most beautiful or melodic pieces, give them a try at least. Some of his music will require a second listen (But nowhere near some other pieces I've heard).
As for other recommendations of composers;

Balakirev - Islamey. It has a lot of argument over whether or not it's just a showpiece, but it's so difficult that Scriabin (who came second is his performance class only to Rachmaninoff himself) stuffed his right hand learning it.
Prokofiev - Piano Concerto [Insert number here]. I never realized half of the stuff he wrote was actually possible until I saw videos of them. My personal favourite is the 2nd concerto.
His etudes, op.2. Worth a listen, but I'm not too sure if you'll like them.
Ravel - If you're after virtuosity, then take a look at the Miroirs, and Gaspard de la Nuit. The latter one was written to be harder than Balakirev's Islamey, so good if you're after a challange (as is the former one).
Scriabin - Sonata no. 9 and Vers la Flamme. Both creepily coloured pieces with a strong technique required.
Tchaikovsky - The first from the 6 romances, op 16 (Berecuse). It doesn't have virtuosity, but it carries a brilliant melancholy melody over the top.

~~lightStevOo~~ · 06-08-2009, 06:27 PM

i have played piano for 11 years now and probably the most attention giving song to the audience and a fun song to play maybe is

Alla Turca (Turkish March) by Ammadeus Wolfgang Mozart

04-27-2009, 08:34 AM	#18 (permalink)
peterbaby7 Groupie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 22	Try Two Nocturnes __________________ [ad removed by moderator. Please read the The Newcomers Guide to MusicBanter]

01-23-2009, 07:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
twilexia Groupie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 5	Rachmaninoff is always a pleasure

01-25-2009, 05:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
cnelson Groupie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	"Girl with the flaxen hair" by Debussy. Chase W. Nelson

02-04-2009, 01:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
machoo Groupie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11	The great John Peel chose Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano concerto on Desert Island Discs. And he certainly knows a thing or two about music.

02-07-2009, 01:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
iiraiykha Groupie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3	I play no instrument but "voice", but i am learning piano, i researched your style and i think that you could "appreciate" yoko shimomura. She is a game composer but she is famous for her use of piano. also maybe hamauzu masashi

02-07-2009, 02:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
The Robot Hunter Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 65	Two requests, one stone: Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Paganini was so influential to his era's composers. As I understand it Paganini set the bar so high for virtuosity on violin, composers tried to match it on their own instruments, this was Rachmaninov's (successful) attempt.

03-30-2009, 02:14 AM	#16 (permalink)
Amaranth Groupie Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Although I am not nearly as familiar with most of the composers mentioned, I have recently been introduced to Maksim Mrvica, a piano player from Croatia, and I am addicted. Therefore I highly recommend you check out some of his music, it's fairly modern but still amazing. Some of my favorites are his Flight of the Bumblebee, Nostradamus, and Exodus, but there are many more that are equally as awesome.

03-30-2009, 02:19 AM	#17 (permalink)
SATCHMO Al Dente Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,708	I am partial to Eric Satie's Gymnopedies very simple, but very eloquent.

05-29-2009, 11:39 PM	#19 (permalink)
mickyj300x Groupie Join Date: May 2009 Location: Aotearoa (NZ) Posts: 4	Alright then, virtuosity, you say... If you're after piano virtuosity, then I suggest C.V Alkan. His works contain some of the most death-defying runs (On par with many of Liszt's works) I've had the chance to come into contact with. His metronome marks are often ridiculously fast, and they contain a lot of musical interest (in my opinion). Although they may not be the most beautiful or melodic pieces, give them a try at least. Some of his music will require a second listen (But nowhere near some other pieces I've heard). As for other recommendations of composers; Balakirev - Islamey. It has a lot of argument over whether or not it's just a showpiece, but it's so difficult that Scriabin (who came second is his performance class only to Rachmaninoff himself) stuffed his right hand learning it. Prokofiev - Piano Concerto [Insert number here]. I never realized half of the stuff he wrote was actually possible until I saw videos of them. My personal favourite is the 2nd concerto. His etudes, op.2. Worth a listen, but I'm not too sure if you'll like them. Ravel - If you're after virtuosity, then take a look at the Miroirs, and Gaspard de la Nuit. The latter one was written to be harder than Balakirev's Islamey, so good if you're after a challange (as is the former one). Scriabin - Sonata no. 9 and Vers la Flamme. Both creepily coloured pieces with a strong technique required. Tchaikovsky - The first from the 6 romances, op 16 (Berecuse). It doesn't have virtuosity, but it carries a brilliant melancholy melody over the top.

06-08-2009, 06:27 PM	#20 (permalink)
~~lightStevOo~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 9	i have played piano for 11 years now and probably the most attention giving song to the audience and a fun song to play maybe is Alla Turca (Turkish March) by Ammadeus Wolfgang Mozart