I am struck by the near ubiquity of solo piano music in the long thread "So, what are people playing?". I may have missed someone, but so far the only contributions including ensembles that I can recall are my own and Mad Tom's. I can think of several reasons for musicians who play piano to join with others:

For beginners, piano duets or Baroque trio sonatas provide a less stressful introduction to solo performance than any solo, however easy; in particular, there is a substantial repertoire of duets with parts of unequal technical difficulty; and Baroque continuo parts may be simplified almost without limit, provided the ensemble includes a 'cello, bassoon or earlier equivalent on the bass line, so that the keyboard player can choose to play as little as two notes with the right hand at tricky passages.

At all levels, ensemble playing requires continual use of the ears, with the pianist usually in the best position to detect errors of coordination or pitch; it demands discipline (not necessarily rigidity) of tempo, with all variation being coordinated; and the player needs even more thorough knowledge of his own part than he does for a solo, in order to maintain accuracy through the distraction of hearing all the other parts.

My main reason, however, is the plethora of music of high quality that the pianist who plays nothing but recital solos misses. For example, Mozart wrote solo piano music of high quality, but it has been matched or topped by many other composers; consider Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, Mendessohn, Brahms, Debussy, Ravel, Rakhmaninov, Messiaen; but none of these wrote 27 piano concertos, getting on for half of which remain in the repertoire; Mozart also wrote the first two piano quartets that are still performed regularly and the quintet for piano and wind that is still regarded as the best of its genre. Schubert wrote much excellent solo music for piano, but I know of none that matches the stature of the F minor Fantasia for piano duet. Mendelssohn's "Songs without words" are both innovative and polished, but among his piano works, the two that stand out are the piano trios, decribed by Hans Keller as two of the three satisfactory works in the medium (he considered nearly all others - including Beethoven's - as flawed by balance problems).

i hope to be an accompanist... if that counts!

When my daughter and I manage to get together (she is 190 miles away) we always play violin/piano sonatas. Beethoven we usually play No 1, 4 or 5 (Spring) or 6. Mozart we have been playing K454 quite a lot (second movement is in new Grade8 syllabus), but sometimes the early E Minor one (No4) or the one in C (No8 I think). We also play Dvoraks 'Four Romantic Pieces'. the Romance in F Minor, and of course the well known Sonatina in G Op100.
We occasionlly attempt Grieg third Sonata (great second movement!) and Brahms third Sonata (emphasis on attempt), plus some standard stuff like Salut d'Amour, and the Meditation from Thais.

Personally, I am an accompanist so the answer to "What are you playing" is - whatever anyone sticks on my music stand! (as many forum members will attest - I will have a go at pretty much anything )
The downside of this is that I barely, if ever, practise

I love playing piano duets and find them fun and less stressful than solo playing. As you say there is a vast repetoire and something for all standards, and unequal standards.
I know Diabelli isn't considered very high brow, but he's one of my favourites - his piano duets are unfailingly charming.

I would agree with kenm about the pluses to ensemble music making but for those of us who enjoy our music as a sanctuary from a less than joyous day job, it is something that we do to relieve stress, rather than add to it.
The limited time available to me is used to improve my own piano skills, but sometimes I think it would be nice to meet with other instrumentalists to create something satisfying. It is difficult to make the contacts. (I don't count choirs who want a (free) accompanist who will have the music up to scratch on the first day of rehearsal. Been there, done that, no thanks!)

At university a pianist was always sought after for accompanying small baroque ensembles (my one and only semi-public performance on a harpsichord!) and instrumentalists/singers but in the grown up world I wonder if these performers find it easier to attach themselves to orchestras whether amateur or professional than do pianists.

It is not uncommon to see requests on here for an accompanist for exams/gigs and I'm sure it is not a lack of interest or willingness to oblige but rather a lack of time that deters the hobby pianist.

Mel

The original question "So what are people playing" was focused, I think, on what individual 'pianistic posters' on this forum are playing as individuals, i.e. soloists on the piano. I'm pretty sure that most people who responded do play at least 'four hand' repertoire. I get together with three or four other doctors from our medical practice (violinist/harpist/double base/trumpeter/singer) about once a fortnight to play a mixture of mainly classical but some jazz/popular repertoire. We also have a drummer who lives in Monmouth and a guitarist who lives in London. When all of us get together, once every eight weeks or so, it's a real jamming session, especially when we play Piazolla and some of the Cuban Buena Vista Club music. We do it for fun and relaxtion but have been offered work on a paid basis. When we get fed up with being doctors we have promised ourselves to follow this path. However as we are all in our early 30's to early 40's I think it will be a few years away yet.

I'm delighted to see so many responses already.

I think these are overlapping but different groups. To find enthusiasts for Baroque ensemble playing, join one of the Early Music Forums that exist in many places in the UK. I belong to the Thames Valley one, that functions from Berkshire to London and several other home counties. I have been told that there is a central web site that will allow you to find where your nearest is. Google on "Early Music Forum".

Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto (piano part)

Variety of vocal / choral repertoire for Christmas concerts

Duets with students incl. Fantasia on Greensleeves for the same concert as the Oboe Concerto




Did someone mention Buena Vista Social Club?

I just tend to play whatever is thrown in front of me like has been said before. But i just tend to accompany people practicing for exams. Improved my sight reading. lol.

I enjoy accompanying musical friends as it gives me access to repertoire I wouldn't otherwise play, for example jazz. I think it's always a good idea for pianists to develop a rapport with friends, as the friendship can make it work surprisingly well...

I run a music group which meets once a fortnight. We have another pianist, oboeist, recorders and a lyric tenor on a regular basis. We mainly sight read duets and trios e.g. Telemann, Quantz, Franck, Vivaldi, Loiellet, Corelli, etc., etc.. These sessions certainly get the adrenalin flowing and my sight reading has noticably improved since we started. We also take part in regular 'amateur' concerts throughout the year, which is quite challenging. Playing as part of a group is very satisfying and we bring each other on. A slight disappointment is that we have never managed to attract any string players, we would love to have a violin, viola or cello on board.

Unfortunately, I don't get the opportunity to do any ensemble playing. The closest I have gotten is taking the right-hand of difficult Bach pieces while my teacher takes the left. My next door neighbour, who is also a pianist, however, has a chellist over every month and they play together. I envy this as being a cure for the solitary nature of the piano. Maybe in the future!

I accomany and play duet on one or two pianos and ensembles for 4 people. Our ensemble group is currently looking at a piece of Smetena.

I think the problem is getting others of a suitable standard to play with you - I belong to a recorder ensemble which meets weekly during term time, which I enjoy, but I would really love to play my cello with others. So far I have been unable to find anything of the right standard at a time I can manage, which is also within a reasonable travelling distance. I think many people are in this situation.

My wife plays violin so I often get to play her accompaniments. I'm just starting to look at the piano part for Beethoven's sonata for violin and piano op.30 no.3 - lots to practise, but a beautiful sonata!
Also looking at the accompaniment for Ziguenerweisen by Sarasate - doesn't look too bad on first sightings, but my wife plays it at a heck of a speed, so extra housework for me if I can't keep up!