Thread: What's Your Favorite Piano Music?

What is your favorite piano music? I like most of Mozart's Piano Sonatas,a few of Beethoven's (MOonlight, Sonata 20 in G, the Pathetique Sonata--just that one movement--the Sonata in G minor), and some of Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words. Also Tchaikovsky's June from "The Seasons", some of Handel's Keyboard Sonatas, Chopin's first G minor Nocturne, and Bach's Goldberg Variations (I like the Goldberg Variations played fast, like Vladimir Ashkenzy--I got that last name all wrong&#33

....I like the Goldberg Variations played fast, like Vladimir Ashkenzy--I got that last name all wrong&#33 .....
U mean Ashkenazy?
Ashkenazy's great! I love his complete recordings of Chopin etudes...Must be some kind of 'super' human to record all of Chopin's etudes...
My fav..ummm... I think Chopin's Berceuse. It's really relaxing, and an all occasion work. I can play it for recitals, in hotels...in casual gatherings etc.

I am addicted to the Goldbergvariations! Besides the wonderful Gould recordings, there is the new one with Perahia to mention. I did like them really. In last time it is too soft for me . I don't know the one with Ashkenazy. *one more CD to look for is on my list*

Other most loved pieces of me: Oh there are so many. Beethoven sonatas, Mozart c-minor sonata and F-major KV 332 and B-major KV 333. His d-minor fantasie is awesome.

I do love the first partita most, Welltempered clavier, i couldnt decide one fugue or prelude.

C.Ph.E. Bach sonatas i really enjoy.

Rameau i adore, and play much in last time.

Haydn sonatas shouldnt be forgot, and then this romantic pieces like Rachmaninov, especially his preludes, and also Schubert sonatas. He is only wonderful. Besides his last three sonatas there are so many to look for. Specials are always his minor sonatas. (I played his a-minor sonata not long ago)

Schumann is ok, but not my best loved. Mendelssohn did write charming youth pieces for piano, and later on great fugues.

So many to mention....

I love the Gould Goldberg Variations recordings. So much attention to precision, as Bach is generally accepted to be. I should try to get the faster recordings!

I should try to get the faster recordings!

I would think that Gould is the fastest version. Is that so? I can't imagine anything faster than that!

The 1955's Recording of Gould is very fast, yup, (i don't know whether the fastest or not), but his 1981's is rather one of the slowest ones (38 min vs. 51 min). Myself i prefer the 1981's one, so transcendantial, gives you revealing.

My favorite piano piece is Chopin's Etude Revolutionary in C minor! It is so awesome...it's crazy too...so many notes being played so FAST!!! You should listen too it!

The 1955's Recording of Gould is very fast, yup, (i don't know whether the fastest or not), but his 1981's is rather one of the slowest ones (38 min vs. 51 min).

I wondered what struck him. One must have came to a sudden realisation or awakening of some sort to make such drastic changes. But I agree wif u. The music's so mush reflective in the slower version. Gould should reflect more...he'll be alot better. And More people would LOVE him! :P

Sure one reason, that's a general tendency to become slower in older age.

An interesting point: Gould became in some pieces faster the older he got. For example in 2 recordings of a Haydn Sonata with ca. 20 years between it.

For example in 2 recordings of a Haydn Sonata with ca. 20 years between it.

He must have gone goofy with age...
Nope, I think sonething must have struck him.
Did yr book about Glenn mention anything regarding his re-interpretations? Daniel?

is it a waltz? I only listened to his Ice skaters and Espana. Good stuff

Did yr book about Glenn mention anything regarding his re-interpretations? Daniel?

Oh i can't remember that in particular by himself (though i am not done with it yet, i am in a part about recording culture....)
But read about it in a Gould biographie. He rather variats in his tempi

My favourite piano work...but I've only plunked at it and played a kindergarten version (I don't think it's difficult...but you definately need to be a pianist to play it)...is Waldteufels 'Dolores'...anyone familiar with it?

Yes. They have big notes arrangements for this piece, with Bom-cha cha accompaniment for the Left hand. Is this the version u played yrs ago? Or is it the version with the arpeggios?