Hi everyone. I recently got this book, and wondering which are your favorites, and if it's worth playing the whole collection? Some of them are instantly recognizable to me, and the ones I've heard I liked. They aren't too difficult, quite easy compared to what I've been playing recently (Chopin 10/4, Rach prelude 23/5 ). So maybe it will provide some respite.

So what's your opinion on these little miniatures?

I like them. The only one I'm really familiar with is October, but I have heard them all, and they're great.

Good contrast to Chopin 10/4 and Rach 23/5.

I like june and october

June is really great. I don't really know the others well, but you can't go wrong learning June.

This is a marvellous, but very much under-appreciated set. I guess the problem with much of Tchaikovksy's piano music is that its not very "pianistic" - the notes just don't fit comfortably under the hands. And the non-virtuoso stuff, well, being "simple", just doesn't attract your typical virtuoso firebrands.

That said, what I like most about this music is precisely its simplicity and directness. The melodies are very song-like, almost vocal in nature, and I think they're most successful in the melancholic pieces. June and October are the most obvious examples. With that simplicity comes an emotional directness and sincerity that goes straight to the heart, without any "intellectual" pretensions. Almost like simple country folk expressing their deepest feelings through song. Quite a contrast to the more sophisticated "aristocratic" (but no less sincere) music of Rachmaninoff

June, October and November are my favourites. Not to hijack this thread, but just thought I'd inform everyone that I have posted my recording of October here, so please listen and give your comments, if you have any

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/2/10539.html