A beginners guide to classical piano...help req?

A few suggestions

From the Naim label - cd059 - Grieg Folk Songs, Dances played by Havard Gimse. you can probably get a listen on the Naim shop.

Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition - get a piano solo - not an orchestra or organ arrangement - the version I have is played by Jacques Rouvier on Denon 38c37-7177

Chopin - Favourite Chopin played by Ashkenazy - has the most accesiible and tuneful - my version is on Decca 410 180-2

Debussy - Children's Corner played by Jacques Rouvier on Denon 33c37-7372 - you will most likely recognise some of these and you may get simplified versions to practice with.

And for inspiration to see what can be achieved have a listen to the Rachmaninov Piano Concertos no 2 and 3 - my facourite edition is on Sony Classical SK 47 183 played by Yefim Bronfman and the The Philharmonia

Some of my copies are 20 years old so may not be available under these numbers but the recording may be available in other packaging.


Good luck

quote:

I don't wish to listen to anything heavy,

Oh go on. You know you want to. Get a copy of the second Brahms Piano Concerto. If that doesn't drive you on to your lessons with gusto, nothing will.

Andy, I've got quite a few piano concerto's by Beethoven, Chopin, Greig, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, which you can borrow. Just let me know.

I suggest listening to some Bach on the piano--perhaps the Partitas(superb CD by Anderszweski on Virgin I believe) , and certainly the Goldberg variations(Perahia on Sony is wonderful).

Dear Andy,

Here is a link to a nice thread I started two years ago on your exact topic!

First "Classical" Piano Pieces

And also this one which is almost on topic:

First Concertos

I think you will enjoy the read, and the pieces I propose are chosen as starter music for sure. That was the point of the two threads...

Have fun from Fredrik.

Fredrik, roger and all...

Thanks for the replies - it gives me a starting point.

Roger - sounds like another visit is needed???

quote:

Originally posted by andy c:
Fredrik, roger and all...

Roger - sounds like another visit is needed???

Andy, if you do come down bring some dirty records,eg Jazz at the Pornshop and we can give the Keith Monks a whirl.

munch,
just starting out LOL
however i am going to do my grades, starting at number 1!

Roger,
I'll bring my copy, although its a little bit overkill to clean a CD on a Keith Monks machine!

i suggest brendel's beethoven series on vox. i assume those are available in the uk. each cd is a double, and the series comprises most or all of beethoven's solo piano works. it's a cheesy label, but these were recorded well and sound very good, and they're very reasonably priced.

Andy

Please ell us what you have bought and/or borrowed and whether you enjoyed the music.

Hi Derek,
Geoff p is doing me a compilation 'sampler', and I'm intending to contact Roger Poll to pop down and see him, clean a few records on his Monks, and have a listen to some of his collection.

I have ordered this: http://tinyurl.com/yvwq8x

on the kind suggestion of Tony L over on pink fish - I'll update you on what others i get...

cheers

andy

right.
went to Roger Polls place, had a good chat about all sorts, and listened to some discs:
Evegeny Kissin - chopin vol 1
Volodos plays Liszt
Martha Argerich - Rachmaninoff 3
Rachmaninoff 2+4 - Ashkenazy on Decca - lovely
Murray Perahia - Chopin Etudes - also lovely
Olli Mustonen - Grieg and Chopin on Decca - ditto
Maurizio Pollino - Beethoven 5th - fav of the lot.

plenty to go at!