I Want To Play Chopin, what piece though? Options

[JuicyJen_uk]

Hey guys,

I'm more of a mozart and a beethoven person, and have recently confined myself to their sonatas! However, my piano teacher loves Chopin and I haven't seen my teacher for a while. I've NEVER learnt a Chopin piece (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

So, I'm asking all you more experienced Chopin players what piece I should learn. I passed grade 8 two years (I know, you're asking yourselves how on earth I've never played a Chopin piece, after playing piano for 12 years.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) )

I dont want a difficult piece, just a grade 8 (possibly grade 7) Chopin piece to start looking at that I can surprise my piano teacher with when i see him over the holidays. Perhaps a well known one.

Whichever piece gets recommended the most over the next few days I will learn.

Many thanks!

Jenny

(Please please do not recommend fantasie impromptu, I've spent many sleepless nights trying to work out how to fit each note in...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) )

[Frederic Chopin]

Have a look at some of these:

Nocturnes: The famous one in E flat, Op. 9 No. 2, or the one in C sharp minor, Op. post (in The Pianist).
Preludes: No 4 in E minor, No 6 in B minor, No 15 in D flat (Raindrop), No 20 in C minor (all Op. 28).
Waltzes: Waltz In A Minor, Op. 34 No. 2, some of the posthumous ones are lovely.

[nannyjay]

Yes, the Nocturnes are lovely, and quite playable.

[Storini]

If you can, read these threads:
http://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/t...9.html
http://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,2147.0.html

[Lisa87]

Definitely Nocturne in C sharp minor, it's one of my favourite pieces to play. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Lisa xxx

[zongyi]

I lose Nocturne in Bb minor. It's a beautiful tragic song-like music piece.

[La_Chopiniste_]

Yes , a lovely nocturne would be the perfect thing to play to surprise your teacher... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The nocturne in F minor Op.55 No.1 is grade 8 standard...(I think it is in the syllabus)

[Roger]

Ballade in G Minor, if you can manage it. Totally captivating and music to lose yourself in. Took me the best part of the last 6 months to play through hitting all the right notes. I have now memorised the piece and I am working more on phrasing, dynamics and expression. I am grade 8 so you should be able to do it. Just keep at it.

mucha suerte!

[Pianist53]

My favourite pieces by Chopin are Waltz in C Sharp minor and Prelude Opus. 28 No. 24 in D minor.
Or, if you are feeling brave, you could try some of the Etudes or Prelude No.16 (B flat minor). lol. (when you,ve heard it, you will know what im talking about!) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[pianocelloflute]

Some of the Polonaises are really good- and have great big loud sections too!- C minor is on the grade 8 list

[Noodelz]

I'm working on Op. 72 right now. It's a lovely nocturne, you can go wild with the expression on that one.

[organist_katy]

I've got a lovely book of Chopin Waltzes that I've been teaching myself recently - tomorrow at some point I'll have a look and tell you what my favourites are. Quite frankly, at the moment, I can't be bothered to go downstairs and look! (I don't even have an excuse for being this tired... I just am (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif))

[Louigi]

Chopin's Etudes are amazing. It's not that hard if you just sit down and learn them. I played the revolutionary etude last year in a concert. The audience love it.

[chrisgs]

Try listening to the soundtrack from The Pianist if you can - lots of Chopin pieces and they're all beautiful, it might help you choose a piece you like.

[melody_maker]

Nocturne in C# minor (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)
The Nocturne in Eb is nice too (I think its number 2)
Theres a Chopin polonaise on the Grade 8 Syllabus for this year, its Polonaise in C minor op. 40 no2. It's really nice, the melody is in the left hand and the right hand is the accompaniment. I hope to do it for my grade 8 this year!!

xx