Thread: Lively Dance for the Piano!

I'm in the mood for something that's going to make me move - but, before you modernist folks want to take a jab, I'd like to spend this evening in my Classical/Romantic comfort zone, thank you very much.

I was just listening to the first movement from Rachmaninov's Second Suite for Piano, Op. 17, which is a huge bundle of fun, and I'm about to listen to some of Brahms's Hungarian Dances. Can anyone recommend some more pieces down this avenue of not-too-sincere/playful/dance-like.

Solo piano only plz, fnx.

Schumann - 6 Intermezzi, Op. 4 No. 3 in A minor: Allegro marcato

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vfVCqRx-Xs

Goliwog's cakewalk by Debussy. I'm sure that won't be too out of your comfort zone. Or how about that g minor Rachmaninov prelude that everyone likes.

Festive piano, eh?

How about Schumann's Faschingsschwank aus Wien ("Carnival Scenes from Vienna"), op. 26. I own a live recording by Murray Perahia, pretty good.

In the vein of the Hungarian dances, I own a set of Dvorak's Slavonic dances for piano 4 hands. Kindred spirits they were, as you know.

As a bit of a "stretch", I kind of like Liszt's Réminiscences de Don Juan (S. 418), technically demanding, but quite jolly to my ears, anyway.

Several of Grieg's pieces are dances.

Norwegian Dances, Op 35
Symphonic Dances, Op 63, which aren't all fun and games, but lots of fun anyhow
The Holberg Suite, Op 40
Several of the Lyric Pieces are dances, like Op 10 nos 2 and 4; Op 38 nos 4, 5 and 7; Op 47 nos 1, 4 and 6; Op 54 no 2; Op 68 nos 2 and 6; Op 71 nos 1 and 6.
Slåtter (Norwegian peasant dances), Op 72

Originally Posted by Aksel

Several of Grieg's pieces are dances.

Norwegian Dances, Op 35
Symphonic Dances, Op 63, which aren't all fun and games, but lots of fun anyhow
The Holberg Suite, Op 40
Several of the Lyric Pieces are dances, like Op 10 nos 2 and 4; Op 38 nos 4, 5 and 7; Op 47 nos 1, 4 and 6; Op 54 no 2; Op 68 nos 2 and 6; Op 71 nos 1 and 6.
Slåtter (Norwegian peasant dances), Op 72

Of course! I was an idiot to leave those out of my considerations - I love Grieg <3!

Originally Posted by Polednice

Of course! I was an idiot to leave those out of my considerations - I love Grieg <3!

Oh, and I forgot to add the Humoresker, Op 6. At least one of them qualify as a dance, and either way, they are perfectly charming pieces. Especially the 1st one.

Any of Smetana's czech dances and polkas.

I second Dvorak's Slavonic Dances for piano!

Most of Chopin's Waltzes and many of his Mazurkas.

Can't help you, I only deal with piano music of the horribly depressing variety.

Originally Posted by Ravellian

Can't help you, I only deal with piano music of the horribly depressing variety.

Oh don't worry, I dance to that too.

Originally Posted by Ravellian

Can't help you, I only deal with piano music of the horribly depressing variety.

You must be into Brahms

Originally Posted by Ravellian

Can't help you, I only deal with piano music of the horribly depressing variety.

Not all the piano music of your namesake is depressing (e.g. Miroirs has lively tunes). Most of it has a dark texture, though.

When it comes to "killjoy" piano tunes, Satie gets the prize IMO.

(I shall now put on my bullet-[roof vest, hard hat, and hide behind that big rock while people throw "D" cells and other assorted garbage my way)

Originally Posted by Polednice

Oh don't worry, I dance to that too.

I wouldn't be surprised if you preferred it.