What would be good to learn this year?

September 4, 2005 at 11:38 PM · The Vivaldi might be good. I'm learning that one along with the Bach E Major concerto, and it's harder than the Bach. It's a fun piece to play and is impressive. The Kreisler might be a little hard...I tried playing that last year with my old teacher and it was quite tough compared to what I was coming from (Accolay).

What does your teacher say? He/she is always the best person to pick your music for you. In fact, your teacher should either just give you your music or give you a few options, but not let you decide completely on your own like that. If they're doing their job then they have reasons for giving you certain pieces. (For instance, my teacher gave me the Bach since I'm learning the Galamian bowing system and it is good for martele and stuff.)

Good luck!

September 5, 2005 at 04:21 AM · Oh yes I always ask my teacher, she always very helpful. Right now I am going to do mozart, and then she wanted to wait to do Scene de Ballet because she thinks the musical aspect of it may be a little harder. Lately she has been letting me pick my own pieces, I ask her if she thinks it is good, and she'll tell me. I like to make goals, so that's what my list is going to be for.

September 5, 2005 at 05:28 AM · That seems to be an excellent list. The Kreisler is rather difficult, but there doesn't seem to be anything abhorently out-of-range for your level. It sounds like you have a good list of pieces that would be excellent to do. Mozart 4 could also be on the list- it's not quite as accessible as the 5th concerto (especially the last movement), but it's quite beautiful and very fun.

As long as your teacher feels like those are good pieces, then you should be fine. Don't count out numerous etudes such as Kreutzer, Rode, Fiorillo, and others. Doing these etudes will help your technique tremendously. If you do these and only one other piece/concerto, you will see that concerto really take shape and be technically more strong than it would have been without them.

September 5, 2005 at 11:09 AM · I don't think I've ever done an etude before. I should ask my teacher about it, it really sounds like it could improve my technique. It will probably take a long time to learn every piece on this list, but I think that's good because I should improve more if I take a lot of time to get everything absolutely perfect. My biggest goal right now is to be able to learn Mendelssohn in E minor when I am a sophomore, and then of course I want to get into the symphony as a freshmen.