Masters Degree Audition Repertoire

[christine612]

Hi all,

I'm planning on auditioning for masters degree in about a year and a half, (piano performance) and I have no idea what to prepare!  Most schools want about 45 minutes of music, from 3 contrasting periods.  So far, I've planned to prepare

Prokofiev-Soanta no.3
Beethoven-32 variations in c minor
Ravel-Jeux D'eau
Liszt-La Campanella or Liszt-Paganini Etude no.6

Can you recommend me some more pieces to add to this list?  Maybe a modern piece?  Or whice piece(s) should I leave out?

Thanks in advance 

[steinwayguy]

A Bach work is generally standard for auditions. Dont' do a prelude and fugue though, because everyone does them. I think a Toccata is the best idea for this, because they are some of the hardest Bach pieces and not often played.

Also, I think you might want to try a more substantial classical work than the Beethoven Variations. They could work, but I would personally opt for a larger sonata, and since this is for a masters degree, late Beethoven probably is not out of the question.

The only Romantic piece you have on the program is the Liszt Etude. I do not think an Etude would fully represent your capabilities of playing a Romantic piece, so I recommend adding a more substantial work, my thoughts being-
a Brahms Opus (76, 116, 117, 118, 119?)
a Chopin Scherzo (3 or 4)
a Chopin Fantasy (F Minor is always nice)
a Chopin Ballade (any)
a Chopin Sonata (2 or 3)
or other random things like...
Schumann's Abegg Variations
Mendelssohn's F-sharp Minor Fantasy
Chopin Nocturne Op. 9 No. 3 or Op. 62 No. 1

You're fine on the 20th century with the Prokofiev and Ravel, but if you really want more contemporary works, maybe a Schoenburg opus or Bartok piece instead of the Ravel.

[nanabush]

How about some Bach?  Italian Concerto sounds great.

[pokeythepenguin]

Would it be impossible to see your complete repertoire so maybe we could see what pieces we should be recommending?

[christine612]

Thanks for the replies.
I don't particulary enjoy learning Bach (too hard!)    so I was hoping to avoid this era.....
and for the romantic pieces, I have learned Chopin's ballade no.1,scherzo no.2, and Liszt's HR no.2, but I think it'd be wise to not to play these because they're overplayed.
Maybe I'll try a schoenberg piece instead of ravel's jeux d'eau. 
I do have plenty of time to prepare (i think) so I'm up to learning anything!

Please tell me what you think!

[pokeythepenguin]

and how long is the recital?

[christine612]

approx. 45 minutes

[dmk]

have a look at what is required of students in the final year of that University's undergraduate program, that might give you a good idea of what kind of standard they would expect you to be at when starting a Masters..

Like steinwayguy I would recommend you play a sonata instead of the variations, could be anything as long as you play it well!!

[pokeythepenguin]

How about.....


Beethoven Sonata No. 30 Op. 109  (15:00)
Prokofiev Sonata No. 3                    (7:30)
Paganini-Liszt La Campanella          (5:00)
Chopin Ballade No. 1                       (9:00)
Schoenberg 6 Little Pieces               (6:00)


And then all you need is a scarlatti sonata and there is your 45 minutes ^^