Classical Piano Pieces

[pencils]

Am I alone in not having any real love for Piano Concertos? I know that is a pretty big statement to make, but after 20 years of listening to classical music, I just don't seem to be able to gather any love beyond a couple of obvious Mozart and Beethoven pieces. Rachmaninov and Stenhammar, maybe.

I think it started when someone bought me some Godowski Etudes. I wanted to die inside.

[mc ukrneal]

Am I alone in not having any real love for Piano Concertos? I know that is a pretty big statement to make, but after 20 years of listening to classical music, I just don't seem to be able to gather any love beyond a couple of obvious Mozart and Beethoven pieces. Rachmaninov and Stenhammar, maybe.

I think it started when someone bought me some Godowski Etudes. I wanted to die inside.

Do you mean concertos (which are soloists with orchestra) or solo piano pieces? I suspect you were thinking one thing and writing another. The Etudes are solo pieces.

[pencils]

Both, tbh.

Suggestions to break my malfunction always welcome...

[North Star]

Have you heard these: Chopin (mazurkas, Preludes Op. 28), Ravel (Miroirs & Gaspard de la nuit, PC in G major, PC for the left hand), Janacek (On the Overgrown Path, In the mist, Sonata '1. X. 1905'), Bartók (concertos, solo music), Prokofiev (a metalhead ought to love the 2nd PC. And the solo piano music!), Alkan?

[pencils]

Have you heard these: Chopin (mazurkas, Preludes Op. 28), Ravel (Miroirs & Gaspard de la nuit, PC in G major, PC for the left hand), Janacek (On the Overgrown Path, In the mist, Sonata '1. X. 1905'), Bartók (concertos, solo music), Prokofiev (a metalhead ought to love the 2nd PC. And the solo piano music!), Alkan?

The Chopin and Ravel didn't grab me, really  . I love the Bartók SQs, but the concertos not so much. I shall go and prod the Prokofiev and the Janacek, at your suggestion 

[Opus106]

What is it that you 'expect' to enjoy in piano music? What are the qualities that make you like the the concerti which you mentioned earlier? Perhaps, we could offer suggestions by trying to narrow down that qualities of the piano (or the music) to which you are averse or attracted. Do you like the piano used in other genres -- jazz, for instance?

[pencils]

What is it that you 'expect' to enjoy in piano music? What are the qualities that make you like the the concerti which you mentioned earlier? Perhaps, we could offer suggestions by trying to narrow down that qualities of the piano (or the music) to which you are averse or attracted. Do you like the piano used in other genres -- jazz, for instance?

I think with the piano, I am looking for melody above all else. I love dissonance and complexity elsewhere, but I think I have simply developed a mental block that says, 'Oh, pianos. Yuk', and as a result, have firmly placed my head in the sand which is not a good reaction. I do enjoy the piano elsewhere - big fan of Einaudi, for example. My problem following an unhelpful ostrich mentality is ignorance and a caution about exploration. I know that the Godowski that turned me off are really not representative of all usage of the piano in the repertoire - I am not that foolish - but having collected countless symphonies, chamber works and choral pieces, I find that there is a gaping hole in my understanding that I would quite like to fill.

Thank you, James. I know none of those pieces. I shall go a-prodding with those also.

[Ten thumbs]

Perhaps you are put off by all those virtuoso passages. However, fear not, there is a vast store of melody in the piano repertoire. One composer you should try is Schumann.

[pencils]

Perhaps you are put off by all those virtuoso passages. However, fear not, there is a vast store of melody in the piano repertoire. One composer you should try is Schumann.

Thank you! I love his symphonies, so shall delve here also ... I did try listening to the Tippett, but I think I might have to try harder with that one.

[jochanaan]

Hmmm...Try listening to piano music simply as music.  Perhaps imagine it being played by orchestra, or a string quartet or whatever other combination of instruments you're fond of.

In the mean time, try the Brahms concertos; they're wonderful pieces musically as well as being beautifully written for the piano.  I like the Schumann concerto too.  And if you like Bartok, you might want to give his piano concertos another listen once you begin to get past your block; they're really wonderful pieces.  My favorite is the First, but the others are more than worthy too.

For solo piano music, among other things I like the Beethoven sonatas, the Chopin preludes, the Rachmaninoff Etudes tableaux, and anything by Brahms and Debussy.

And you might try some piano-based chamber music too.  There are "piano trios" (piano and various instruments) by Beethoven and Brahms, a very impressive one by Tchaikovsky and another by Shostakovich, among others.  I'm also very fond of the Shostakovich Piano Quintet.

[mc ukrneal]

If you like Schumann, I would recommend Kinderszenen. I have a favorite available here: http://www.rsi.ch/argerich/welcome.cfm?lng=1&ids=489&idc=18528 (great resource by the way). The piece is divided into short scenes, each one having its own melody. Maybe you would like Schubert's Impromptus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=149UGrLzR5w).

I don;t know if you like Bach, but he would be worth a shot. The music from that period will be 'cleaner' and may be more to your taste. What do you think of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XwojDoY3yQ? Bach's music can be found on harpsichord and other instruments, so you may prefer that as well.

In terms of piano concerto, what do you think of these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSYS2YzpNR4 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcztD5HavyU? The second is one of Tchaikosky's less well known pieces, but if you like this definitely seek out his first (which is famous, and you will probably recognize it) and his third, which is even more unknown.

[pencils]

Really appreciating these replies. Thank you so much. I am stockpiling my list of 'Cures for the Piano Phobic', with every kind response!

[Beorn]

Am I alone in not having any real love for Piano...

It's like you just said you didn't enjoy pizza, ice cream or The Beatles.   

[pencils]

It's like you just said you didn't enjoy pizza, ice cream or The Beatles.   

I also think that The Beatles suck. Coming from Liverpool has left me with a profound ambivalence toward them.

Pizza and ice cream? Different story.

[Beorn]

I also think that The Beatles suck. Coming from Liverpool has left me with a profound ambivalence toward them.

Pizza and ice cream? Different story.

How about local author Ramsey Campbell?

[pencils]

How about local author Ramsey Campbell?

Never indulged. Recommended?

[Beorn]

Never indulged. Recommended?

If you like horror fiction. He's written tons.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1933618027

[Opus106]

Perhaps you're simply a heathen and will better respond to the strains of a fortepiano.

http://www.youtube.com/v/3Xl5AzB9nhg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BofhrxQVX0Y#t=873s

[milk]

I'm the opposite. I've built up a large collection of classical music. However, almost none of it involves music absent a keyboard (except for vocal music). I love solo keyboard work, chamber work involving keyboards and also keyboard concertos. I was thinking of asking the reverse question: how badly am I missing out here? I think some day I will try to remedy this and find a way to get into, for example, string quartets and symphonies.

[North Star]

I'm the opposite. I've built up a large collection of classical music. However, almost none of it involves music absent a keyboard (except for vocal music). I love solo keyboard work, chamber work involving keyboards and also keyboard concertos. I was thinking of asking the reverse question: how badly am I missing out here? I think some day I will try to remedy this and find a way to get into, for example, string quartets and symphonies.

There are a couple fine works out there that don't involve a piano...
Prokofiev uses a piano in some orchestral works, maybe listen to his symphonies (nos. 2, 5, 6, & 7), if you don't know them already.