This is probably a topic that's been discussed in depth before - sorry if it has. I guess the moment I'm looking for here is any piano passage (concerto or solo) raises hairs or makes you say "Wow, this person is a genius".

Some of my favorite moments of mine include:
- Coda in Chopin's 1st ballade;
- The first climax in the first movement of the Rach 3 (beginning with the E flat major chord);
- Also, the big chords at the end of the second movement of the Rach 2, and the Rach 2 first movement part where the orchestra plays the theme on top of the piano chords;
- Chopin Concerto 1, first movement with the E major chord and the chromatic thirds;

I could go on and on. It'd be good to know what parts of what pieces moves people, as it could introduce some repertoire that I would otherwise be unfamiliar with!

The return of the orchestra after the cadenza in the slow movement of the 5th Prokofiev concerto.

Definitely the Poco Con Fucco in The ballade 1.

Then it would be the Fantasie Impromptu.

hey look its both chopin, So he MUST be a genius!

I think you mean presto con fuoco.

Poco con fucco means "a little bit with listening."

lol Opps! Yea.

My current favourite... the first big(ish) climax in the 2nd movement of the Rach 2nd sonata, just before the middle section. Does anyone I know which spot I mean?

I love the original version of that so much more! I'm playing the revised but there I take the original.. It's the only thing I'm changing in the piece (well along with a few added low octaves.. but it's really nothing I promise!). I LOOOOOVE that section!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDAArXlJNWw&feature=related

3:18 here. (Cliburn)

Also 6:26 on the same recording, until the end. Pure genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's so heartbreaking.

In Medtner's Sonata Romantica, the transition into the 2nd movement.

From transition into the coda of the Sonata Tragica to the end!

All of Sonata Reminicenza

May Dog help those who suffer from loose bowel moments.

The opening measures of the last movement of Schumann's Fantasy in C.

(As Beethoven showed us in the Hammerklavier-- as Schubert showed us in numerous works-- there's nothing quite like the harmonic change of a descending third. If it's to a flat third, like C down to Ab, so much the better.)

The big, building triplet chords near the end of the first mmt of Beethoven's Appasionata sonata never fail to grab my attention.

It's unbelievably hackneyed, but the final C-major return of the "big tune" in the third movement of the Rach. 2nd concerto still gives me chills every time I hear it. I first heard it as a really little fellow (5 or 6), with Leonard Pennario playing with our local orchestra. I apparently got so excited that I stood up, grabbed the back of the seat in in front of me, and started jumping up and down. To his credit, my dad left me alone, because I wasn't bothering anyone.

Cute story, wdot

Many people have listed loud/climactic moments. I find it hard to go past that pp moment in the slow mvt of Schubert's D960 where it goes into C major.

Like I said, I'm sure it's a topic that has been discussed before. I'm sure people have been exposed to new music since that last thread which they could contribute to the discussion. Also, this thread doesn't limit said 'moments' to concerti.

Thank you a thousandfold for the lesson in comprehension, oh Master of masters.

lol

I have so many favorite moments I couldn't begin to list them all, but here are a few:
- The coda of Schumann's Arabesque.
- The hushed transition from the second to the third movement of Beethoven's 4th concerto.
- The passage in C# just before the reprise of the principal theme in Chopin's Barcarole.
- The Aria da Capo of the Goldberg Variations. It feels like returning home after a life-changing journey.

I can't resist three more that aren't piano at all:
- Mimi's entrance in O soave fanciulla from Act I of La Boheme .
- The first 8 bars of the passage marked "Adagio ma non troppo, ma divoto" in the finale of Beethoven's 9th (the part with the Gm C Am D Gm D harmony)
- The end of Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, from the huge Db chord to the end. To me, the final resolution to C major over that thundering pedal point is the most blessed release in all of music. (Forget Liebestod! :))

Jim

Bach-Busoni Chaconne - the Dmaj chord after the minor section and the last few bars. Heartbreaking!!!!
Prok - concerto 3 the build up to the 2nds scales ("glissandi") and thence to the end.
Schumann - op15/12 the return of the A section after the B. op15/13 the finality of the G chord at the end
Rach - concerto 2 'alla marcia' as played by Richter
Hummel - concerto in a final movement. Hanon with Orchestra as an organist friend once said

Non piano - guitar
Koshkin - Usher Waltz heavy chords and Bartok pizz leading to harmonics. And the dying syncopation to the end. (always gets a worried look from the guitar salesman!)
Dyens - Libra Sonatine - final movement ending
Villa-Lobos - 12th etude middle section
Sky - Tocatta drum riff leading back to main theme

Mathguy, I certainly agree on the Passacaglia and Fugue! Certainly my favorite organ piece! Its full of immense power! My old organ teacher has a CD of her playing it on the grand organ at our cathedral. It is played in Quarter-Comma Meantone temperament. .Its quite a thrill. If I recall, the recording was made with the foot pumped bellows system, rather than using the blower! Gives it the absolute authentic sound of a 17th century organ!

The piano movement I could never forget was on the day our grand piano was delivered!

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata... I lov it especially the third movement it's wow for me.

The end of the first-movement cadenza, Prokofiev Second Concerto, as played by Horacio Gutierrez. Earth-shattering.

Chopin Ballade no. 4 - the 12 measures or so before the fugue when the intro theme comes back out of nowhere & then there's that beautifully lyrical connecting passage.

In Chopin's Ballade no. 1, I like one particular passage a lot, shown in this video at 2:00-2:45. The tension is just so easily felt if it's being played with heart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8Md2-o5OB8

Yes I agree Chopin_Is_up_there (BTW awesome screen name!)

I love that passage. The 2nd half of that short section is what I am currently working on...

Speaking of which sounds like its time to get the Ballade study group a lil bump.

When I saw the topic of this thrtead I also thought of this sonata, but actually of the start of the development section of the first movement in c# minor.

The Aria da capo of the Goldberg is a close second. I heard it once described by tghe following: It is as if you have wathced a great painting, a portrait of someone, for the entire duration of the aria and all the variations. THen, in the da capo, the person in the painting looks you with understanding in your eyes.