Hi everybody, a little advice needed!

I've been asked to play the piano at a formal ball next weekend, which is quite an important event locally. I'll be playing as background, either whilst people are eating their meal, whilst they are having drinks, or both.

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what I should play? I was thinking of some Debussy, Einaudi, maybe Mozart? Or a mix of anything I can play well, steering clear of anything too dramatic like Beethoven. I don't know how long I'll be playing for yet, anywhere between 2 and 4 hours I'm guessing.

Standard wise I'm currently doing the DipABRSM diploma and have been playing for 9 years. It's on Saturday 4th March though so not much praciticing time!

Thanks in advance, Meg.

What you've suggested sounds great. I love Einaudi so that's a good choice. Do you know any Chopin? His music would be nice to play at an event like this too.

Good luck & I hope you have fun!

Lisa xxx

Hey, I don't know why I didn't think about Chopin. I play a few of his études, not well enough though. Although I could play his Butterfly Étude perhaps? I can't remember what number it is sorry. Maybe some of his waltzes would be suitable too.

Thanks for the help, Meg.

The sort of music you play really depends on what sort of occasion it is and the audience. The most appropriate music may be something light and more contemporary/pop, oldies, light classical, romantic/love/wedding type music etc. If you are unsure, then make sure you prepare a bit of each so you can tailor your programme there and then.

I was asked to play at my cousin's wedding and I included light, romantic music, love tunes and popular wedding music.

Shcubert/Chopin/Brahms waltzes never go amiss.

Some of Joplin's rags might be nice as a bubbly starter or mood-changer, if you have some in your repertoire.

I was going to suggest this but as you'd mentioned that you were thinking of playing classical pieces at the event, I thought that was the style you were going for. I agree with Frederic Chopin (himself! ) I would mix a few contemporary, well known songs into your programme so that it won't all be classical & maybe just light relaxing music - nothing too heavy or full-on. But then again, it all depends on the mood of the ball, who your audience is & how formal the event is.

Sorry to confuse you even more!

Lisa xxx

Perhaps you could include some jazz ballads. Thats what I did when I played over dinner at my schools formal.

What a lovely opportunity!
Your instinct to steer away from drama is wise - you're meant to be aiding the digestion after all.

Satie's Gymnopedies are nice and dreamy, and physically relaxing to play (which may help you if you're having to do a long stint). The Gnossiennes are lovely too, but perhaps a little melancholy for this occasion.

People will be half listening to you, so no reason why you couldn't grab a book of easy classics and wander through some of those as fillers too?
Likewise, you could go for some classic "show tunes" - not Lloyd Webber, but maybe some of Gershwin's songs? They're well known, but have some class. (Yes I am a snob).

A bit of Coldplay, perhaps?

Guns'N'Roses? Sounds great, not all Beethoven is dramatic though, the 2nd movement of the Pathetique is very nice and well known so that might go down well.

Things like "moonlight serenade", show medlies, Cole Porter tend to go down well. Not everyone wants to listen to hours of waltzes. Hove you thought about other dance forms, maybe something like a tango for example.

Here's some sets of well known 'classically sounding' pieces arranged into 'sets' of 20-25 minutes. Closely related keys and have a smooth transition from one to the next, but have varying tempos and styles etc.

Set 1
To a Wide Rose - MacDowell
Valse Sentimentale - Schubert
Mazurka in A minor - Chopin
Waltz in A minor - Chopin
Fur Elise - Beethoven
Remembrance Op 68 No. 28 - Schumann
Prelude in B minor - Chopin
Gymnopedie No. 1 - Satie
Andante Op 105 No. 4 - Burgmuller

Set 2
Of Foreign Lands and People - Schumann
Wedding Day at Troldhaugen - Grieg
Sonata in G minor (Op 79) Andante - Beethoven
Venetial Boat Song, Op 19 No. 6 - Mendelssohn
Reverie - Debussy
Traumerei Op 15 No. 7 - Schumann
Prelude in C major - Bach
Notturno Op 54 No. 4 - Grieg

Set 3
Prelude in A Major Op 28 No 7 - Chopin
Waltz in F# Minor - Rebikov
Venetial Boat Song Op 30 No. 6 - Mendelssohn
Spring Song Op 62 No. 6 - Mendelssohn
Arabesque No. 1 - Debussy
Prelude in E minor Op 28 No. 4 - Chopin
Song Without Words Op 19 No. 1 - Mendellsohn

Set 4
Sonata Op 27 No. 2 (Moonlight) - Beethoven
Fantasy-Impromptu (largo section) - Chopin
Consolation - Liszt
Clair de Lune - Debussy
Sonata Op 13 (Pathetique Adagio Cantabile movement) - Beethoven
Waltz in Ab Op 39 No. 15 - Brahms
Arietta Op 12 No. 1 - Grieg
Nocturne in Eb Op 9 No 2 - Chopin

Blimey....didn't realise the list was so long until I got half way through typing it.

Anyway. All these are found in a book called Quiet Classics Selected and Edited by Keith Snell.

It's a great resource for 'extras' at weddings, parties, church services and general background music.

You could always add in a bit of new age type music. I like David Lanz, especially Cristofori's Dream. That would be a beautiful addition.

Thanks everyone for all your help, especially Louise for taking the time to right all that out. I've got a really good idea what to play now, and I've been practicing loads as the ball is tomorrow.

Thanks again, Meg.

Good luck!

So (in nosey mode) what are you planning to play?

if its a ball how about some chopin waltzes?

You're having a laugh surely!!

The wedding day at troldhaugen is the most un 'quiet classic' i could think of!

I have this book! I have a recital thing this week aswell, and by the sound of it, very similar to yours!! i am doing a selection from the above list, and some other Chopin Nocturnes.

I routinely play Rachmaninov's Prelude in C#minor as 'background' music. Hehehehehe..... I always play as if I'm performing specifically, not just providing ambience. Unorthodox, but people love it.

Chopin's Waltzes, Satie, Tchaikovsky...