Chopin Etudes, both sets

Chopin created a ballet of pianistic motion for the keyboard. Each one is a gem that requires it's own distinctive pattern of waves of synergistic motion in order to play them effortlessly. Once these piano mechanism "katas" (dances, yes, like martial art motions) become ingrained and innate, the carryover effect to all other pianistic challenges is tremendous.

To play these correctly, you don't play them, you "dance" them, with your entire playing mechanism, from the floor up in a perfectly coordinated, completely relaxed, reflex-movement state. Chopin was more of a genius than most can even begin to suspect.

I have been listening to Beethoven's "Grosse Fugue" op. 133. My only complaint so far is that Beethoven did not write it as a quadruple fugue of twice the length. The first subject is one the finest fugue subjects ever devised.

Busoni's "Fantasia Contrappuntistica" deserves a mention as well.

-Colin

IMO Sorabji's Pastiche #2 on Carmen is the single most outstanding short piece written for the piano:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FEnTEY-XQXw

Very interesting responses so far. You can tell that the responders are as varied as types of music available. Since this is a piano site I'm not surprised that many of the selections were for piano. I don't think my slection has ever been transcribed to a piano solo. VIA DOLOROSA written by Billy Sprague & Niles Borop. I stumbled onto it just before Thanksgiving and forgot about it until I saw this thread. If you ever get a chance to listen to it you'll understand.

Brahms - Piano Concerto # 2 - first movement
Chopin - Piano Concerto #2 - middle movement
Beethoven - Pathetique sonata, middle movement
Beethoven - Appasionata - last two movements
Mozart - Jupiter symphony
Bach - Brandenburg Concerto #5, last movement

Just one?

brr... hmmm... ahem...

I give up! What's the right answer?

"Adagio for Strings' Samuel Barber

rada
www.pianopassions.com

Interesting thread.

It would be hard to go against Mozarts "Marriage of Figaro". Da Ponte libretto that is one of the greatest ever written. Many, many recognizable brilliant melodies composed. Countless human emotions musically described and reflected. Seamless musical transitions harmonically, rhythmically, and emotionally. Terrific humor and clever political meaning to top everything off!

Can't think of a better summation of western music.

My thoughts...

BC

Double post

Gustav Mahler's 8th Symphony is also a fine piece, according to some, the grandest thing ever created. I agree with them.

Mine...hmmmm

Probably Funeral March by Chopin
Funeral for a Friend by Elton John
Prelude Op.28 No.4 by Rachmaninoff
Nocturne in E flat by Chopin
Edward Ballad by Brahms
Prelude in B minor by Chopin
Concerto No.3 Rachmaninoff
Fur Elise by Beethoven
Mahler: Jupiter for the Piano from Planets
Wedding March by Mendelssohn the original non abridged version
Moonlight Sonata is pretty good
There are probably more I really like but can't think of

I'll say two.
Scriabin Etude Op. 8 No. 12 (where my screen name comes from).
This is an absolutely beautiful piece of music. A haunting melody, amazing harmonies, absolutely brilliant.
Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 12 ("Revolutionary")
What can I say? It's Chopin.

"Mahler: Jupiter for the Piano from Planets"

Which Mahler would that be? Gustav was dead before the Planets was written.

Austin, I assume you meant Jupiter by the other Gustav - Holst that is...

I'm in absolute love with Rachmaninoff's Elegie, Op3 No1

I agree with Numerian; Greensleeves set the scene for modern music!

OK, to be sincerely different:

Unchained Melody, by The Righteous Brothers

This entree from the fourth act of Les Boreades by Rameau is one of my personal favorites. Here is a clip:

http://www.amazon.fr/gp/music/clipserve/B000009INY003002/1/ref=mu_sam_ra003_002

Rach 2...
...because I'm practicing it...
...and it's stuck in my head...
...and it's been stuck in my head for a long time...
...and I feel it will be stuck in my head for a long time.