Favourite programmatic solo piano pieces

Hobby · May 10, 2025, 06:00:07 AM

There are some wonderful solo piano works that are thematic or programmatic.
Three to five pieces would be a good starting point. I look forward to finding more but my current choices would be
Liszt Annees de Pelerinage
Janacek On an overgrown path
Debussy Preludes
Messiaen Vingt Regards
Albeniz Iberia

Madiel · May 10, 2025, 06:06:09 AM

Straight at the top of my list would be 2 lots of Ravel: Miroirs and Gaspard de la Nuit.

I do also like several of your selections a great deal.

Symphonic Addict · May 10, 2025, 03:00:44 PM

Some favorites:

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition
Poulenc: Promenades
Schumann: Carnaval
Liszt: Harmonies poétiques et réligieuses
Albéniz: Iberia
Alkan: Piano Sonata 'Les quatre âges'
Langgaard: Insektarium
Ginastera: Pieces for children
Janacek: On an overgrown path
Grieg: Lyric Pieces

Cato · May 10, 2025, 05:18:12 PM

Nikolai Tcherepnin: The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish (after Pushkin)

Iota · May 11, 2025, 03:45:22 AM

OTOH, alongside a number of pieces mentioned above.

Debussy - Images, Books 1 & 2, Estampes
Ravel - Tombeau de Couperin, Jeux D'eau
Schumann - Kreiseriana, Davidsbündlertänze
Liszt - Mephisto Waltz
Mompou - Musica Callada, Books 1 - 4
Bartok - Out of Doors Suite
Ives - Concord Sonata
Messiaen - Catalogue d'oiseaux

A list that could certainly be longer (including almost anything by Ravel or Debussy), but the above will suffice for now.

Florestan · May 12, 2025, 08:38:08 AM

Musica callada is no more programmatic than Songs without Words --- even less, actually, because at least a few of the latter have original titles, which is not the case with MC. Just saying.

My list (only works which have not been mentioned yet)

Schumann - Kinderszenen, Waldszenen, Faschingschwank aus Wien
Granados - Goyescas
Mompou - Scènes d'enfants
Blancafort - El parc d'atraccions
Reynaldo Hahn - Le rossignol éperdu
Poulenc - Les Soirées de Nazelles

Iota · May 12, 2025, 08:52:15 AM

Quote from: Florestan on May 12, 2025, 08:38:08 AMMusica callada is no more programmatic than Songs without Words --- even less, actually, because at least a few of the latter have original titles, which is not the case with MC. Just saying.

Ah, but I visited a magical kingdom where the king told me it would be alright to include them, as they are so marvellous they belong everywhere.

Otherwise I guess you're right .. (not quite sure why they slipped in

).

Hobby · May 14, 2025, 08:37:09 AM

When setting up this thread I was more interested in seeing contributors three to five favourite such works than producing ever more obscure lists of pieces. I had assumed the works would include several varied pieces and not just a single item.
Any further discriminatory opinions?

Florestan · May 14, 2025, 08:57:30 AM

Quote from: Hobby on May 14, 2025, 08:37:09 AMWhen setting up this thread I was more interested in seeing contributors three to five favourite such works than producing ever more obscure lists of pieces. I had assumed the works would include several varied pieces and not just a single item.
Any further discriminatory opinions?

I don't quite understand your objection. You asked for our favorite programmatic piano pieces, you got our favorite programmatic piano pieces. What exactly dissatisfies you?