Audition piece?

[kelly_kelly]

After a year without lessons, I finally contacted a teacher who will audition me. The location of the lessons is incredibly convenient, and she is widely acclaimed as a pianist and educator, so I really want this to work out. She wants me to play two pieces (two contrasting movements from a sonata are okay) and I have decided to play the first movement of Mozart K. 457. But I am debating between the second movement of the same sonata and Schubert Impromptu Op. 90 No. 3 for my second piece. I feel that I can play the Mozart more convincingly, but maybe it would be considered too simple? Also, it seems somehow better to play pieces from different musical periods... but I don't know.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated 

~Kelly

[thierry13]

I think you should play Mozart + Schubert more than Mozart + mozart ... I don't know the level of the teacher, but I think the Schubert is more contrasting than another movement...

[maknela]

I think it will be better if you play the piece that you play better. It's more important to play well, than what you play.

[rhapsody4]

For an audition for a teacher, I would think that the teacher would be looking for variety, depth of musical expression and a reasonable technique - for this reason, it would be best to play whatever would show your best skills as a musician. Not knowing how you play these pieces, I would think that the Schubert Impromptu would give more variation to your performance, than that of the second movement of the Mozart, having already played the first. However, if you feel that you can play the Mozart much more convincingly than the Schubert, then this would be the best performance. Remember if someone is going to teach you, they want to be able to see what aspects can help you with: a teacher would be far more inclined to teach someone who can play musically than someone with an amazing technique but little expression.

[slobone]

Definitely go with the ones you play best. Your teacher is just trying to figure out if you're at an advanced enough level for him/her to want to take you on as a student, so show yourself at your best. This isn't a competition where you're being graded.

[dan101]

Give your potential teacher a variety and play the Schubert Impromptu Op. 90 No. 3 as a second selection. Having said that, your auditioner will probably know within a minute or two whether or not he/she would want you as a student. If they like your personality and attitude, they're far more likely to want to have you in their roster.

Good luck.

[Essyne]

If they like your personality and attitude, they're far more likely to want to have you in their roster.

Agree completely here. Some of the auditions that I feel were completely HORRIBLE are the ones that I have gotten the part for. Teachers are looking for potential and coachability. Yes, a sound base in technique is important (because, let's face it, then you don't have to start from the bottom up again), however, they really just want to see YOU.

I know a man who received a full piano scholarship to a uni w/o being able to read music. The first year he practiced 12 hours a day and slept under the piano. He was the first freshman to ever have a senior recital.

Just remember what's really important.

~Ess~

[gyzzzmo]

If you have to play 2 different pieces, i would play Mozart+chopin/rachmaninoff/liszt. The bigger the contrast, the better. The thing they want to hear is that you can play a wide repetoire.

[pmz310]

 
  First lucylucy, then cindycindy, NOW KELLY_KELLY?!?!?!?!?!  hahaha, just kidding (go on the non-piano board to see what im talking about)

Anyways, the Chopinj Tarantella would be a good piece, not too overplayed, and is brilliant/

  Good Luck!!!
  P.M.Z.

[kelly_kelly]

Hey guys!

Thanks for all your help. As it happened, I did play the Schubert, but very badly, probably because I haven't played on a piano other than my own in over a year. I also did some hopelessly pathetic sight reading. But she must have heard something I didn't, because she accepted me  .  Maybe it was the personality thing... I don't know. But my first lesson is tomorrow! I'm excited and scared at the same time...

[sharon_f]

Good for you.  Have a great first lesson.

[thierry13]

So how was your first lesson?