A piano recital

Abstract

This dissertation exists as an accompanying document to my piano recital consisting of works by Handel, Haydn, Schubert, Busoni, and Chopin. The priority in choosing this programme was to display the studies I have done on piano music from different periods and styles. I have therefore chosen pieces by composers ranging from the period when the first pianos had been created but had not yet definitely replaced the harpsichord as the main keyboard instrument in common usage, to the early twentieth century, when the writing for the instrument had reached its most sophisticated level. I have put into writing what I personally feel one should know when choosing to perform such a selection of piano repertoire, in order to implement and put into practice that same knowledge during performance. I have provided my personal analysis of some of the works, while giving the necessary information in order to understand the background of the works. I have also included the reasons behind certain decisions that I made regarding performance. No performer should aim to play music without first thinking and without seeking to understand it.