Repertoire Goals

One of the first things my teacher and I talked about was what I wanted to get out of my new desire to resume learning the piano. Well, here is a short list of the type of repertoire that I want to learn. I won't list every single piece since that will take up too much space, but I'll mention a few that worth noting. So, organized by composer, in no particular order:

1. Beethoven: Sonatas (Op. 28 (Pastoral), Op 27 No 2 (Moonlight), Op 106); violin and piano sonatas as well
   
2. Rachmaninoff: Preludes (Op 23 No 4 is beautiful; Op 32 No 13 sounds like an exciting one to play); Fantasie-Tableaux for two pianos
3. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsodies
4. Bach: Everything...his music is just incredible.
5. Mozart: Some of his pieces for four hands one piano
6. Brahms and Debussy are always beautiful

Well, there's a list of some of the pieces I want to ultimately learn. It will be a challenge, but one I am up to pursuing. So far I have learned one of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, specifically his sonata in G major, Op 79. I am currently working on his Pathetique sonata (along with some other pieces by some other composers). This list is by no means the only composers who's music I wish to learn, but just a small list of some of the main ones. And of course the list constantly changes. Who knows what I'll want to learn a month from now.

My music background

I started playing piano when I was 5 years old. Due to lack of practicing, my parents stopped my lessons (with no objection from me I might add) when I was in about grade 5 in the Royal Conservatory Celebration Series; I was probably around 13. I kept playing a bit on and off, and I was in the school band (played the tuba) for my high school career, so I didn't lose my musical abilities.

About two and a half years ago, due to a rather traumatic event in my life, I decided to take up piano again. This time I'm paying for lessons. I wanted to finish what I started. I absolutely love what most people refer to as "classical music", though I prefer to refer to the music as either baroque, classical, or romantic. However, what I enjoy playing and what I enjoy listening to can differ. I love playing Bach, but don't enjoy listening to all his music. I have yet to hear a Beethoven piece I didn't like, and they are always fun to play. And of course you can't go wrong with Rachmaninoff; some of his pieces are not only a good challenge to play, but are absolutely beautiful.

I found a great teacher; in our first meeting, I of course played some stuff and we discussed what I wanted. He decided that I could start at the grade 7 level (there are 10 for those unfamiliar with Royal Conservatory Celebration Series). I've worked my way up to grade 10, and now I am
doing a few grade 10 and some of the easier ARTC level pieces.