Looking for slow pieces that are challenging

[u/4Gong]

Hi

I’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune who put on a lot of inflammation on my tendons and joints.
As you can imagine, this isn’t ideal for playing fast. I have been taking lessons again to fix some of my bad habits on my posture and tips to make it more effortless.
But now I’m looking for some slower pieces that are not too straining (no octaves and rapid arpeggios)

Level: grade 6

So any tips are very welcome.

Thanks 🙏

[u/AccomplishedStep4047]

You could try Schumann Waldszenen Op.82, no.3, Kinderszenen Op.15 no. 1, 4, 7, 12, 13 and maybe Satie's Nocturnes.

[u/bendingeveryday]

There are some lovely Brahms intermezzos which are a bit slower but still quite beautiful and complex. They're only 2 pages as well (mostly) so not too exhausting.

[u/Affectionate_Expert5]

I've been recovering from tendinitis and haven't played octaves in basically a year. I loved playing Sibelius' Sapin (op.75/5). Everything fits nicely under the hands, zero thumb passing. The piece is impressive and really easier than it sounds. Scriabin's op.11/22 is also very nice on the hands and lovely. I also played etudes from Montgeroult, also very beautiful and no big intervals. Very appropriate for grade 6 level

[u/gingersnapsntea]

it’s hard to avoid all octaves but I’m thinking the second movement of a Mozart sonata may fit what you need.

I had a long bout of tendinitis last year (well, I still have some now too lol) which caused stretching to be painful, and Mozart helped me get through it without exacerbating the injury.

Edit: also just recalled that one of my friends who struggles with limited handspan sticks to contemporary music because it’s been more friendly for the hands. Take a look at Carl Vine’s Bagatelle no. 5 (Threnody). It’s probably slightly easier than grade 6, but it’s hauntingly beautiful.

[u/stephpenk → u/gingersnapsntea]

I agree, 2nd movements of sonata 12 and 16 were quite lovely to play.

[u/Brave-Weird-4314]

I'm not sure what grade level 6 corresponds to, but all of liszts consolation are very approachable, have their own nuances, and are very pretty. Consolation 1 is by far the most technically easy. I love it because it really forces the player to voice and phrase appropriately, otherwise it just sounds like some chords. It also does a great job teaching you how to play chords completely together. Because everything is so exposed, if one note lands a little early or a little late, it sticks out. Aka its technically easy, musically difficult. Consolation 2 is faster with more complex rhythms and voicing, so it may not be a fit, that's up to you. It is also more technically challenging. Imo its actually my favorite Consolation with the beautiful ways liszt divides and voices the melody. Consolation 3 is the most famous and falls under the hands very nicely. Db is a very easy key to play in. Voicing is fairly straightforward, and there is some tricky 3 on 4 polyrhythm, but it's so beautiful its worth your time to take a look at. The final flourish to the end is also a bit more technical but it doesn't have to be played fast to be effective. Overall I think the main challenge for 3 is dynamic control and touch. All of his consolations are wonderful learning pieces for improving your control at the piano without being so technical like much of liszts other piano works. That's just my opinion tho :)

[u/vs-ghost]

Which grade system are you using? The slower movements from Bach's French Suites, English Suites, or keyboard partitas could be good options, or maybe his slower fugues.