I've been playing piano for four years and I'm totally addicted to it. My teacher gives me mostly classical stuff like Beethoven and Mozart. I'm wondering if there are any good pieces for me by later composers, or do they all get too difficult? Can anyone give me any suggestions?

First of all, what pieces have you mastered and which ones are/were a bit difficult? I think I may have a few suggestions.

Well I've just finished learning Beethoven Sonata op.49 no.2 which I really enjoyed.

My favorites are Beethoven Sonatas and Chopin Preludes and Nocturnes.

Many of Grieg's "Lyric Pieces" would be around the same difficulty: "Little Bird", "Elfin Dance", and "Nocturne". Although short, they are rewarding to play and sometimes require exceptional technique (The "Elfin Dance" needs lightening-fast fingers). Even though you are looking for suggestions, I wouldn't limit myself to what other people think may be appropriate. I myself have tried pieces that seemed too complicated for me only to find that they are, in fact, well within my limits through steady practice.

thanks Grieg-Bizet - I will check those out. Perhaps judging my your name I should look for some Bizet too?

Yes, if you can find the treasures that they are, I would suggest trying Bizet's piano music. The only ones I have found readily (and for free) are the "Jeaux D'enfants" (Children's Games) which are twelve pieces for piano duet. Others could be the Vingt Melodies (for piano and high voice: these sound really cool). Usually, Bizet is more associated as a composer for orchestra than for the piano.

hey! i played elfin dance when i was younger.. a very fun piece. another very pretty piece is "Ivan Sings" from "The Adventures of Ivan" by Khachaturian.

I guess it depends on what type of pieces you are looking to play. Like you I've been playing for four years. For the first two years I played classical pieces, but then my teacher stopped teaching (I take lessons at my school) and I ended up with a teacher who I happened to know as he used to be a student at my school! this was great because he is now a music producer on the UK Urban scene and I'm a singer before pianist. I sing a lot of R'n'B and soul music and he was able to teach me music that I sing. He's even produced pieces for me to write lyrics to (I'm also a lyricist)which he has taught me the piano parts to. He thinks I'm going to be the next Alicia Keys!! and apparently I look like her too, but I'm not trying to be her, I don't sound like her in the slightest, but I love her music and am forever singing it with my own twists.

Anyway I'm completely off subject now but if you want to learn some really recent pieces, I would definitely recommend some of Alicia Keys pieces, as they have great piano parts. Particularly "Fallin'" from her album "Songs in A Minor" and "If I Ain't Got You" which is on her album, "Diary of Alicia Keys". Also if you're looking for a challenge try "Diary" from the same album, it's a bit difficult to play at first but when you can play it, it sounds amazing and it's really easy to put your own personality in to it.

Anyway I've talked enough but if you are looking to play more recent pieces, just ask for more suggestions, I have many as I'm always playing them.