There are some pieces that I feel I just have to learn because they are just such fantastic pieces to play and they make all the years of practice worthwhile.

Top of my list at the moment is the Shostakovich Viola sonata , which I am already working on.

Some of the others that I feel I must learn to performance standard are the:
Martinu Rhapsody Concerto
Vieuxtemps Capriccio
Britten Lachrymae
Bloch Suite
Bergsma Fantastic Variations on a Theme from Tristan
Bach Cello suites (complete, not just the selected movement that I already play)
Bach Violin Sonatas and Partitas.

I am also desperate to learn the Quincy Porter Viola Concerto as viola players who have played/heard it say it is one of the best viola concertos, but there is no recording of it available and the sheet music is out of print

Does anyone else have pieces that they are determined to learn eventually? If so, what are they?

I've never been interested in playing the solo repertoire for bass, but there are still some orchestral pieces that I have yet to play:

Shostakovich Symphonies 9, 13 and 15;
Bartok "Music for strings, percussion and celesta".

Some others that I have played already but would love to play again:

Strauss "Metamorphosen";
Elgar "Introduction and Allegro";
Tippett Concerto for double string orchestra;
Mozart String quintet in G minor (I'd have to practise the 'cello for that one).

Although I am only Grade 5 at present on the violin, I hope to have had a chance to play Bach Double with my loved one... before bidding farewell to this world...

hero

It isn't really a proper solo piece, but there's a big, surprisingly virtuosic viola solo in one of the Enescu Romanian Rhapsodies (can't remember which, but I think it might be Rhapsody no. 1). I heard it played at a prom a few years back and the solo violist was absolutely amazing! I'd really love to be able to play that piece and as well as she did too

Definitely would love to able to play the complete Bach cello suites - preferably on viola AND cello if I could manage it (not at the same time obviously)

I'd love to get the Schindlers List theme back up to a playable standard - I played it at Easter, but since then my teacher has changed my technique quite a lot and it would take a lot of work to play it well without reverting back to my old technique. Since I last played it I've also visited the Schindler Factory, Kasimierz(sp?) and Auschwitz One and Birkenau so it would mean a lot more.
Also the Kabalewski Violin Concerto that I'm learning at the moment and the Mendhelson(sp?) Violin Concerto

I can't really see me ever managing to play any of the really amazing pieces on my string instruments but...

realistically... on violin to do a decent job (if never perfect) of the Massenet Meditation and the Schindler's List themes...

on viola, some Bach cello suite stuff... I don't know enough of the rep between what I can already get through and what I will never be able to play though!

cello: La Cygne, maybe some of the simpler Bach suite movements...

One day, maybe!

I got into the harp with the intention of not only being able to play some lovely classical pieces well, but also pushing the preconceptions of what style of music a harp is made for. With this in mind, my pieces to play before I die would include:

Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
The Trooper by Iron Maiden
Blood Sugar ### Magic by RHCP
Any of Zappas simple funky numbers, from his Mothers period I suppose
Honky Tonk Train Blues as played by Lloyd Glenn
The theme tune to Super Mario

How many of these I'll acheive, goodness knows, but it's nice to have goals eh?

If I ever get to play my Grade 8 pieces before I die I will be happy. Particularly the Rachmaninov Danse Hongroise. NOT ENOUGH FINGERS, and if I did have enough, they just don't bend that way!

Hey!

I agree with Purple Viola on the Bach Cello suites and the Vieuxtemps cappricio.

Also add in Bruch's Romance and the viola parts of his dual concerto for viola and clarinet, Hummel's Fantasie, Brahm's 2 sonatas and ooodles more.

However, I'm planning on living forever, so none of the dying business, please!

All 24 of the Paganini Caprices AND the Paganini violin concerto in D, all to performance standard, now that's wishful thinking....

It will probably take me from now until I 'kick the bucket' to get my fingers around the notes.

Im sure alot of pianists, including myself wish to play Rondo alla Turca

Debussy Arabesque (i cant remember if its one or two) but its the one thats like super hard, its like broken chords at the start?