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Hello, I am looking for solo piano pieces repertoire in the mood of sentimental/soulful/colorful slower music with a slight touch of melancholy, but feel not attracted by pieces which to my head appear running fast and overloading with musical sophistication requesting most professional brilliance of the piano player. I usually listen to piano music for relaxing from stressful working days and thus don´t like to have to concentrate on the music to get its soul. But if concentrating on it I of course also like to discover some fineness here and there. I for instance prefer the soundtrack of the movie Amilie over Liszt.
Best would be to have the repertoire in MIDI files to listen to it on my digital piano. If there would be a chance to alongside find sheet music for it (late beginner, early intermediate level), this of course would be perfect!
Could you recommend any composers or repertoire collections to give me a start for what to search for in more detail? Thanks, Marco!
Look up Liszt Consolation No.3, Tchaikovsky's Barcarolle, Chopin Nocturne Op.9 No.2, Chopin Nocturne Op.Posth in c-sharp minor, Bach Prelude No.1 in C major, etc. You can try Ennio Morricone as well. I personally don't agree with such lists because they give an incomplete view of classical music.
Schumann Carnaval, Op.9 Debussy Prelude Book 1, No.6 and No. 7 Bach WTC1 Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C Major
... such lists ... give an incomplete view of classical music.
Yes, I know. But I am not a pianist and will not become one (I am only adult beginner, with fulltime job + overhours + family, so much restricted in time to really "study" piano). I happily play for hobby at home, and as a beginner just need some guidance to which direction to start to search for some music for my new hobby.
I would certainly visit the music of Federico Mompou, which seems tailor-made for what you're describing. Also, Erik Satie. Vladimir Rebikov also has a body of miniatures, as does Anatoly Liadov. Some of the early Scriabin preludes "fit". Just a few off the top of my head.
THANKS TO EVERYBODY SO FAR! I found some time to search for presentations of the recommended composers and pieces on Youtube, and your recommendations are great. I especially apreciate that there appeared composers which I never heard about before. Seems that I haven´t informed myself good by now. Well, that´s why I need help in the start of my further search...
I first was afraid when reading in arpan70´s recommendations the old names, especially when Liszt became mentioned, because I have had Liszt in mind when rejecting in my request an "overloading with musical sophistication". Well, I now learned that he also did simple but very beautiful compositions. Thanks for teaching this to me!
Of course, further input is always welcome, I will frequently come back to my thread and check it for updates. Marco.
Ha! Seems that I am also a great fan of what´s to find on Youtube under "New Age piano" music without me for a long time knowing that I am a fan of this. Follwing your recommendations and then also the extra links provided automatically by Youtube, you got me on my direction! THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE!
Furthermore, seens that I really became retarded in media competence: thought, that on Youtube would mainly be hosted the videos of adolescent kids showing nonesenss they are proudly creating throughout their days, and if music performances then of notoriouse show off artists who otherwise wouldn´t have a chance to find any audience for their dilettantism. The only dilettante around obviously am I.
Hopefully my thread catches even more people to post their recommendations to it! A new world became opened to my ears by it, and this shall even expand!
Glad you've got some direction. You should try listening to more serious classical works like symphonies, sonatas, concertos, etc. They give a much more non-sugar coated( mostly) view. Although classical music requires effort to listen to, it is a very rewarding experience.
For now,why not try Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5 or No.6, Brahms Symphony No.4, Dvorak Symphony No.7,8,9 for now. These works never become technical, remain melodic but are nonetheless deep. For piano music why not try Beethoven's Sonata Op.13 or Op.27 No.2, Chopin's Ballade No.1 and No.4. All of these are very accessible works. And why not visit your local concert hall as well. You'd be surprised by how different the sound is. The 'technical' pieces also wouldn't sound as dull as you think them to be.
Schumann Carnaval, Op.9 Debussy Prelude Book 1, No.6 and No. 7 Bach WTC1 Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C Major
there's a whole generation of people now that find the old works of art too much dramatic and tragic when obviously it should lighthearted and fun
I wonder what kind of impression our shallow works of art depicting fictionalized dehumanized worlds of ever uncompromised joy will bring upon future souls
unlocked by keys wordless poetry sings free - piano music -
Marco, since you are Spanish you might be drawn to some of the slower works of Domenico Scarlatti, an Italian gentleman (born 1685) who spent much of his productive musical life in Spain. Here is his Sonata in A major, K.208, with a bit of an Iberian lilt:
"Playing the piano is my greatest joy...period."......JP