I think you should check out drum pendants. They'll give off great light, they look really pretty and their design means you won't have to deal with a lot of dust and other gunk gathering inside the fixture, unlike the bowl pendant you currently have.

I would get an attractive hanging fixture that you do not have to use a lot. Then, perhaps you can use wall sconces at each level. You could turn them on as needed.

I'd take it down, fix the ceiling and go with wall sconces so you don't have to wonder how you'll change the bulb or clean the fixture in the future.

Karyl Pierce Paxton Carmel Transitional Wall Sconce X-52-1-322-9 · More Info

Use a cascading light fixture with LED bulbs. All you will have to do is dust with a long rod.