What to play in this situation?

[kghayesh]

I was introduced to the manager of a local youth musicians society yesterday in a concert and I took his number and I am supposed to meet him soon to play for him in order to see whether I can join this society or not. This society aims at promoting young musicians and promoting classical music to the people.

I don't know what will he expect from me when I meet him. I presume he may don't have enough time (he is a professor in the conservatory), so maybe he'll just expect me to prove that i am a good pianist in the shortest possible time. Or maybe he will give me much time to play different music with different styles... I don't really have an idea...

Anyway, these are the pieces that I can perform and I will choose from....

Bach - Prelude and Fugue no.18 in G# minor, Book 1
Scarlatti - Sonata K.466 in F minor, Sonata K.535 in D major
Mozart - Sonata K.330 in C major
Chopin - Ballade no.1 in G minor
              Etudes op.10, no.10 in Ab, no.12 in C minor 'Revolutionary'
              Nocturne in C# minor
Mendelssohn - Fantaisie op.16 no.1 in A min.
                      Scherzo op.16 no.2 in E minor
Scriabin - Etude no.12 op.8 in D# minor

I am seeking some suggestions about which pieces to play. I think that I shouldn't play well-known pieces (revolutionary for example). I am confused between the Ballade and the no.10 etude (the ballade is more impressive of course but is very long) and also i think of playing the Mendelssohn scherzo... light, cheerful, interesting, and technically demanding somehow. Also, Mozart's 3rd movement sounds an ok choice. Classical style and not well known as the 1st movement.

So, any suggestions or ideas??
Thanks,

[dnephi]

It depends on your strengths and weaknesses.  I'd probably do the Bach Prelude and Fugue, the Scriabin, and, if he has time, the finale of the Mozart.  That'd be well-rounded.  How much time do you expect to have?

[kghayesh]

Well, the problem is that i am not sure about my Scriabin. It is the least good piece I play unfortunately. And about playing Mozart as a finale, does anyone do that?? I guess finales always need to be more powerful and dramatic than Mozart...

[phil13]

if the Scriabin is sketchy, don't use it. You are trying to show him your best, right?

Here is what I would do, with your choice of repertoire:

Do a mvt. out of the Mozart. Preferably the 1st or 3rd. I like the 3rd more.

Play either the Bach or one of the Mendelssohn pieces, depending on which one you're more comfortable with.

Definitely go for the 10-10 Chopet. It's very showy and one of the lesser played ones. And, my personal favorite out of both sets, actually. 

Either Bach/Mozart/Chopin or Mozart/Chopin/Mendelssohn should do you well.  If there's more time after that, maybe play him a Scarlatti sonata.

Let us know how it goes.

Phil

[Bob]

I wouldn't prepare anything new.

Play whatever you're the most musical with.  And then if there were two pieces, I'd make the second a technical showy piece.

And then the more difficult they are, the better.  Just to impress people that way.  As long as it sounds good.

[ramseytheii]

It's all good repertoire, so I don't think you can go wrong.  One suggestion: don't ask the manager what to play, tell him what you play, and what you're going to play, and if he likes it he'll ask for something else.  In situations like these you've got to throw all modesty out the window!

Walter Ramsey

[kghayesh]

It's all good repertoire, so I don't think you can go wrong.  One suggestion: don't ask the manager what to play, tell him what you play, and what you're going to play, and if he likes it he'll ask for something else.  In situations like these you've got to throw all modesty out the window!

Walter Ramsey

You make a point here. I think he will like more a mature pianist who is confident about what to play. But, maybe if I ask him it will look more like as if I can play anything he tells me (baroque, classical, romantic...) and that i can play music with different styles ?

Anyway, it was postponed for 1 week, so stay tuned to know what happened

[ramseytheii]

You make a point here. I think he will like more a mature pianist who is confident about what to play. But, maybe if I ask him it will look more like as if I can play anything he tells me (baroque, classical, romantic...) and that i can play music with different styles ?

Anyway, it was postponed for 1 week, so stay tuned to know what happened

Since you have all those styles, take the opportunity to show your personality.  Tell him you've got all those styles and you'r going to share your favorite of them.  I wouldn't let the manager take the lead and ask you what to play, unless you've already done it, and he is just following up!  Point out that you have the different styles, and make them available, but stay in the lead!

Walter Ramsey

[kghayesh]

I went ! I think it was ok. I only played 1 piece ! I played the ballade. I thought it was already long enough and it included many aspects of musicality and technique. What was weird is that i was expecting to play only to 1 person. I went there to find him asking me to play in front of about 6 professors, including the dean !!

I didn't play as i was expecting myself to. But even though i had some mistakes, their feedback was good. They clapped when i finished and they said it was good (don't ask me how !!) I think they were impressed more by the fact that i play at this level and at the same time i am a senior engineering student. The dean told me i can audition in the conservatoire when i graduate and depending on my level they can enroll me in an appropriate class.

I was also told i can participate in the concerts starting from the next season (sep.). I think that looking at the feedback i got, it was a success. But, regarding my playing, if my teacher heard that she would have given me some hard talking !

[burstroman]

I would play one of the Scarlatti sonatas, then the Chopin nocturne, and if there was time for more, the Mendelssohn scherzo.

[ramseytheii]

I would play one of the Scarlatti sonatas, then the Chopin nocturne, and if there was time for more, the Mendelssohn scherzo.

I went !

I hope this doesn't become one of those "High School Recital" topics that was answered 3 years ago, but keeps popping up.

Walter Ramsey

[jlh]

Congrats kghayesh!  Sounds like you had a good experience!  What are your plans regarding the conservatory audition invitation?

[pwla]

you should play what you know better to show your qualities