This year I played two pieces that I thoroughly enjoy. The first one is Rachmaninoff’s prelude Op. 32 No. 12 in G-sharp Minor. I’ve always been a Rachmaninoff enthusiast. This piece has a unique range of emotions. It starts in a meditative stance with a beautiful melody. It then transitions to outbursts of energy followed by melancholic scenes. You can find a recoding of my own below.
The second piece, was recommended by my teacher. I’ve never been a huge Chopin fan. However, through her tutelage, I am re-discovering him. She encouraged me to play Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 72, No. 1. Erna (my teacher) says that Nocturnes rely heavily on a precise left hand. Before even allowing me to play the piece, she asked me to memorize the left hand on its own. It is amazing what the left hand can do with its modulations and amplifications. The piece really can really undertake very dramatic or poetic tones. You can find my recording below.
I hope you enjoy them 🙂 Happy holidays