I made it!

I have achieved my goal of 52 posts this year (one a week)!  I decided for this, my 52nd post of 2011, I had better make it a good one.  I have decided to do a top ten about something that is very, very dear to my heart.

I love music of all kinds.  But the piano, and music written specifically for the piano, will always have a special place in my heart.  The piano was my gateway drug, if you will, to 'harder' musical experiences.

Honorable Mention) Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini: I love playing this.  Rachmaninoff is not usually my cup of tea, but this piece is lovely.
10) Grieg Nocturne: it's just pretty.
9) joplin Maple Leaf Rag: one of the hardest, funnest songs I have ever learned.
8) Liszt Consolation No. 2:  I think the name says it all.
7) Beethoven Sonata Pathetique: This is just the first movement, but I love the whole thing.  I love the contrast between the sad, peaceful, and angry emotions it evokes even within the same movement.
6) Chopin Mazurka Op. 17 No. 4:  I love Chopin.  His music is so delicate, and deceptively simple.  This was the first Chopin piece I ever heard (or attempted to learn).
5) Anything by Clementi: He is just fun to play.  It drives my mom batty sometimes because I play the sonatina's super fast.  This is one of my favorites.
4) Mozart Rondo Alla Turca: This one is not super fun to listen to, but it is way fun to play!
3) Debussy Arabesque No. 1: Most people know Caude Debussy for his Claire de Lune, but I like this one better.
2) Beethoven Moonlight Sonata, movement 1. Adagio: Beethoven is one of my favorite composers, so he gets a second shout out. This piece came into my life at a difficult time.  It is so sad and expressive, and it is just beautiful.
1) Schumann Traumerei (Reverie): This is the first piece of music that ever made me cry.  I love it so much!!

I love the piano, playing it and listening.  It is such an expressive instrument.  Because of it's range and the capability to play so many combinations of notes at the same time, with the piano you can achieve such a wide range of emotion.  It has been my outlet since I was 5 years old.  I hope you like these pieces as much as I do.  Enjoy!