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Spectacular sounding piano pieces, that aren't difficult to play.

46 replies

StickWaver · 24/03/2021 20:54

When I was years younger and I was trying to impress people I could throw off a Khachaturian . These days (minimal practice in the intervening years) I can just about manage his !

Can anyone suggest pieces that sound suitably brilliant, but that actually aren't very difficult to play?

OP posts:
MakkaPakkasSpongyThing · 16/05/2021 19:29

Waltz in C Sharp minor, also not too bad - but I did the 2nd bit of it before the beginning. It’s just pure beauty.

StickWaver · 16/05/2021 22:58

I love the Raindrop prelude! And I play it quite often. But in this instance it's not quite what I'm looking for.

And the Fantasie Impromptu looks a bit tricky to me!

The Nils Frahm etc. is definitely not what I'm looking for. And to be honest, not my kind of music.

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Aalvarino · 19/05/2021 18:07

Who is your audience here? Is this like, something to play to young people to convey profound and intense emotion? Or something to show you're brilliant and technically accomplished? What's your preferred type of music? I think this matters in terms of what people would recommend. Personally I find traditionally 'dramatic' pomp-and-circumstance music, piano or otherwise, totally un-dramatic - annoying, in fact.

Here are my suggestions:

Chopin Nocturne No. 3. in G Minor, Op. 15.

Lilac - Tigran Hamasayan, you can get the score online for a few quid. Sounds much harder than it is although you do need good speed and dexterity, in my opinion.

Ravel - Pavane pour une Infante Defunte - technically not hard at all, but the 7th chords make it impactful and I reckon maybe grade 6 or grade 7 or bave, to play well?

'Teares' by Huw Warren - no score, I checked, so you'll have to do it from ear but it's lovely. Lots of runs, which are a bit too hard for me but I don't know what standard you are.

It's a shame to write off anything by people other than dead white men.. there's so much variety out there.

Full disclosure, I've never had a piano lesson in my life and my technical skills are absolutely awful - my friends who have had lessons tell me that I need remedial lessons pronto. I won't be playing Rach 3 any time soon. But oh, I do love my piano. ......

Aalvarino · 19/05/2021 18:18

Hamasyan - sorry. Continuing the Armenian theme... !

Branleuse · 19/05/2021 18:20

Chopsticks

Curioushorse · 19/05/2021 18:39

Couperin's Harpsichord pieces are good. Technically probably about Grade 5 (not sure), but also weirdly tricky because he does funny things with repeating patterns.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=NY2TNJiOG00

Lonelycrab · 19/05/2021 18:39

+1 to Moonlight Sonata. My db knows the first part and it’s very calming

StickWaver · 19/05/2021 23:42

Sorry, Aalvarino, I thought it was pretty clear that I wanted "fireworks" kind of music.

It doesn't have to be by "dead white men", but that is usually cheaper, and I haven't been shown any alternatives so far...

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Aalvarino · 20/05/2021 18:03

Okay over and out from me. I'm all out of ideas.

StickWaver · 20/05/2021 19:28

Thanks for the ideas. That Hamasyan sounds quite interesting.

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Aalvarino · 20/05/2021 19:42

He's great. And not dead! or expensive.....

xsquared · 02/07/2021 23:26

Je te veux by Erik Satie

Starts off as a pretty, whimsical sounding waltz and then becomes energetic in the middle, before calming down towards the end. Reminds me of a carousel and I can't help swaying from side to side whenever I play it.

NeverEverAnythingEver · 13/07/2021 10:18

Late to the party!

Like the Khachaturian pieces - I've not played any but will have a go now.

That Bartok Suite op 14 sounds great.

I want to second the nomination for the Fantasie Impromptu - once you get into the rhythm of the first few bars it all sits nicely under your fingers. It's a very therapeutic piece. Smile

Another noisy one: Grieg's March of the Trolls. So much fun.

I also really really like the first Schubert: Drei Klavierstücke -- D946 in E flat minor.

NeverEverAnythingEver · 13/07/2021 10:22

Also Chopin Etude Op.10 No.9!

And Prelude op. 28 no 24 in D minor.

And Mozart's A minor sonata.

And Beethoven's Tempest sonata.

(I am looking for more stormy music that I can play ...)

NeverEverAnythingEver · 13/07/2021 17:12

And Albeniz's Asturias? Easier than it sounds.

StickWaver · 16/07/2021 23:21

I've actually played Asturias many times. That's a good one!

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll keep looking through them.

OP posts:
footchewer · 01/10/2021 13:59

Haha I saw the thread title and immediately thought of the Kachaturian Toccata! Is it very well-known for being easier than it sounds? I've never dared perform it for fear of being looked down on as a show-off!

Any other thoughts ....

I was surprised that the Debussy Golliwog's Cakewalk wasn't harder when I finally sat down to it.

Not Bach!!

Coronawireless · 01/10/2021 14:10

A third for moonlight sonata. I never learned piano but I love love playing it and eventually learned part one from a YouTube tutorial. I looove playing it, it calms me so much.
I also learned a great version of Dance Monkey from YouTube and that always impresses younger people.

Coronawireless · 01/10/2021 14:11

(For less accomplished players on this thread)!

eroica · 01/10/2021 14:12

Maple Leaf Rag - okay, a different sound to many suggested here, but both my children managed this when around G5 or so, providing you have big enough hands for the reaches and can 'get' the syncopation.

Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 26/02/2022 22:25

Sorry haven't read whole thread but have you tried June Armstrong? Modern composer but her pieces are lovely and easier to play than they sound and you can listen to her stuff on her website to see if you like it. Other than that, Scriabin preludes? Prokofiev vision fugitive? Or the sunken cathedral prelude by Debussy is achievable but impressive.

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