Classical Piano
There are many reasons we listen to music. Whatever floats your boat is fine with me. Born in 1953… I enjoyed the same pop/rock music as everybody else growing up during these years.
It’s impossible to beat a pretty girl (from Jo Stafford & Dusty Springfield to Diana Ross & Marilyn McCoo to Shelby Lynne & Grace Potter) singing she loves you. I still luv ‘em!
It’s a pleasure to hear well crafted rock, from Pink Floyd & The Eagles to Maroon 5.
I’m not interested in male singers with bad voices, who can’t sing. Sorry, they do nuthin’ for me.
Some people listen to banjo music, accordions, harpsichords, bag pipes and baroque lutes and flutes. Knock yourself out. But they’re not for me.
I’ve had lot of people ask me what I listen to at home. What really is worth the time and effort to listen to and seek out?
When I say classical piano is the red meat of my musical life, many (most?) of my contemporaries say, they don’t like it. It’s boring. I suspect they haven’t heard the right stuff.
Maybe if I point you in the right direction, because it’s a huge repertoire, I can pique some interest. There are thousands of composers in many forms. But nobody is better on the piano than Chopin. I will use his music to try to hook you.
Try It, You Might Like It!
Nobody wrote better for the piano than Chopin. So let’s make this easy. Check out a few works of Chopin. If they don’t interest you, I’ll leave you to your default music, whatever that may be.
I won’t try to convince you further. But maybe I can lure you in!
Chopin
If you want to dip your toes into the world of classical piano, start with my favorite Chopin Preludes. They’re short. They’re supremely well crafted. Nobody did more, with fewer notes on the piano, than Chopin. If you listen to these four short pieces and aren’t at all interested, it’s probably a sign that you don’t need to go on.
Preludes
OP 28, #4
OP 28 #7
OP 28 #9
OP 28 #20
I hope you’ll love these Preludes. They’re beautiful and three of the four are somber. Each prelude reveals more layers of the onion- each time you hear it. I’ve heard them thousands of times. I play them on the piano myself- not like a pro, of course. But the more you play them, and hear them, the more untold treasures you find hiding within.
Ballades
On to the Chopin Ballades. They’re longer, deeper and even more rewarding. They “state.” They roll. They probe. And they FINISH with aplomb!
Ballade #1: Serious, beautiful classical piano music- nothing is better!
Ballade #4: A less fiery entrance with a finale that brings down the house!
Scherzos
How are we doing? Still with me? How about something a bit more stark and exciting? It’s time for Chopin Scherzos.
Scherzo #1 Grabs you from the first chord!
Scherzo #3 The full enchilada in about 7 min!
Sonatas
Ya ready for some deep diving? Please check out Chopin’s sonatas #2 and #3. Both are fairly long, multi movement works. They’re beautiful, haunting, and moving. They’re well worth your investment of time and CONCENTRATION.
Sonata #2: If you don’t feel emotions from A-Z, report to your doctor for a pulse reading!
Sonata #3: A rich, full, romantic leaning piano composition. Nothing is better!
I hope to have raised enough interest to have you join the club of classical piano fans.
It’s a universal language and the more you put into it, the more rewarded you’ll be!