Recital Programme

[dreamaurora]

Hi guys,

It is time now to start preparing for my debut recital. It will be held next year April, so I have plenty of time of practicing to level worthy enough of public scrutiny  
Ok, after several weeks of brainstorming with my teacher, this is what we have come up. Take note that my audience will be consisted of mostly my non-musical friends, but there will be VIPs coming in too, so I have to strike a balance between sounding casual and serious. I have to demonstrate my technical and musical ability without making my audience asleep, to put it in simpler way  

Okay, here it is in the order from beginning to the end of recital , feel free to give comment :
- JS Bach , Prelude and Fugue no 9 , E Major, Book 1
- JS Bach , Prelude and Fugue no 2, C Minor, Book 1
- JS Bach , Prelude and Fugue no 3, C# Major, Book 1
- Mozart Sonata K333, Bb major, complete
- Beethoven Sonata op 26, Ab major, complete
- Intermission
- Debussy Estampes, complete
- Chopin Barcarolle op 60
- Chopin Ballade No 2 op 38
- Chopin Ballade No 3 op 47

- Encore : Ligeti Etude no 7 "Balamb Gorong"
- Encore : Chopin Berceuse op 57

Basically that is that, please give some feedback , and perhaps if you can, do suggest some alternative pieces  

[Hmoll]

Good luck on your recital.
Have you timed this program? It seems pretty long - e.g. 2 full length classical sonatas in the first half, and 3 p&f from WTC. I would limit the bach to one of the preludes and fugues, or play a french or other suite with one of the sonatas.

Also, for the second half I would change the Chopin group to Ballade #2, Berceuse, Barcarolle.

[dreamaurora]

I am aiming for slightly more than one and half hour of music. It will be rather strenous for me, but I'm prepared. I have timed these pieces and the first half of the concert should not take more than 45 minutes, that also applies to the second half,  repeats may have to be sacrificed to attain this. Actually my teacher says it is preferable to junk all the preludes and fugues and instead play the classical sonatas only instead , if that is the case, then i can play with repeats. Haha, i kind of agree 3 preludes and fugues are rather overkill , but anyway, in the end, I have the freedom of deciding of my own programme.

Anyway, Hmoll, care to enlighten why Barcarolle should be the last ? I plan to end with Ballade no 3 because I think the chordal passage are really effective to end the whole thing on a high note.

[Hmoll]

Dreamaurora,

Good luck then.

The reason I think you should do the Chopin set as Ballade #2, Berceuse, Barcarolle is as follows. Ballade # 2 is a very profound and effective piece to start the Chopin set with. The Berceuse is a bit lighter, and should be in the middle as a contrasting piece - although it is by no means easy to play. The Barcarolle is in a different class entirely than the other pieces because it is such a mature and beautiful work. IMO, once you play the Barcarolle well, what else is left to say iafter that in a recital? Also, the ending is very effective.  The Barcarrole is in the same class as the Fminor Ballade, 4th Scherzo, Fantasy.

Also, the reason I think you should replace the Berceuse with the 3rd Ballade is it provides more of a contrast.
Anyway, just my opinions.

[amp]

dreamaurora.....what is this for? Is this a college recital? Just curious, I don't have any new suggestions for you though.

[88keys]

First let me say that I'm far from being an expert on recital programmes... That being said, I agree with your teacher about the preludes and fugues:

Why so many of them? A general audience will usually find Bach to be a bit tedious, and this is especially true for the WTC preludes and fugues.

The C minor prelude/fugue pair is an exception, of-course, because it is so well known. But IMHO, playing three preludes and fugues in a row isn't a very good idea, especially if the audience is to hear another 80 minutes of music afterwords...

How about playing a single large Baroque piece instead of the preludes and fuges? Perhaps Bach's Italian Concerto - it isn't shorter than 3 prelude/fugue pairs, but it is lighter in character and the audiance will find it much easier to follow.

The Mozart and Beethoven sonatas are superb choices, by the way.

[dreamaurora]

Well, this is my own recital. I have done several smaller scale performances before, I and my teacher feel that it is time to have my proper solo debut. As I have performance experience before, I decide to go ahead with a full blown recital instead of shorter one, I feel confident that I can execute this. Anyway, I do hope to be spotted before I enter into conservatory next year  

[ned]

D'Aurora:

I think you have superb taste. I saw your post on "moving pieces." Absolutely right about the Faure, who hasn't been mentioned 'til now on this forum!

On your recital programme, how about experimenting with the following line-up:

Start with the Debussy! There is no law that we go in chronological order, and Debussy is always a very good starter for the average audience. It is easier on the performer's nerves as well.

Then the Bach P&F in E major. It follows the Debussy well and leads effectively to the Beethoven. Finish the first half with Mozart.

Intermission

All Chopin:
I suggest going Barcarolle, Berceuse, Ballade 2 and Ballade 3. This order achieves euphonious key successions and excellent emotional variety and build-up that will crown the programme.  Definitely end with Ballade 3.

Audience concentration is generally at its peak right after intermission, so that's a good place for the Barcarolle.

As encores, why not prepare the Chopin C sharp minor waltz or F sharp Nocturne. I personally do not feel that the Berceuse is an effective encore, but it goes beautifully between the Barcarolle and the 2d Ballade.

However you decide to go, you have prepared a magnificent program!
Ned

[Hmoll]

I'll second what Ned said about opening with the Debussy, one P&F, the sonatas - intermission - then Chopin for the second half.
Still think you should end with the Barcarolle, though.

[allchopin]

What i would like to know is, how much are you getting paid for this? (this is a career right?)

Few suggestions:
- Bach is bad- only for technical studies and nothing else
- Chopin is the master- after intermission, you should actually open with fantasie-imporomptu if u know it (great pleaser)
- Then go on to the barcarolle, then do the ballade,etc.
- stuff away the mozart, beethoven (non-chopin) in the first half, they are not the highlights

[Hmoll]

Bach wrote some of the most sublime music in the repertoire. Anyone who says Bach is only for technical study clearly has no understanding of this composer.

If you are able to play the Barcarolle and the Ballades, why would you want to include the Fantasy Impromptu - one of the most overplayed student pieces?

The Mozart and Beethoven should not be on the program to "stuff away" in the first half. Each piece you have programmed stands on its merits as great pieces of music, and you should reconsider playing anything that you think would be "stuffed away" somewhere.

[ned]

I have been thinking some more about your superb programme. I can't resist making a few more comments.

Variety is essential, and I think something is missing from your programme, at least in terms of texture. Everything you have so far is of a "flowing" texture. What would provide variety is a piece that is in a strong dance rhythm or is more chordal, more percussive, perhaps.

I will not venture into saying what you should do, but in my opinion a mazurka, or two, would enhance your Chopin group, particularly between the large-scale works.  They need breathing space between them.

I also feel that "Galamb borong" is not a great encore here.  A group of Ligeti etudes would be splendid in another programme but the listener needs to give them full attention.

On encores, I think back to Artur Rubinstein, who brought the house down with things like Prokofiev March from Love for Three Oranges, De Falla's Ritual Fire Dance or Villa Lobos O Polichinelo. These may not be to your taste but they are not difficult and are very effective. I have done the March and the Fire Dance. You feel the surprise and pleasure of your listeners  immediately.

I assume you know that Chopn was very fond of the Beethoven sonata you have chosen. He performed and taught it.
Ned

[steinway23]

the pieces that you chose for your debut recital are very nice but IMHO, i dont think that is a very realistic approach for your debut. your recital programme is too heavy weight to be frank. its almost 2 recitals jammed packed into one.... Regardless of your committment and dedication to preparing it, i seriously think you should lessen the number of pieces for your recital. the last thing you want to have is a messed-up debut right? you are a serious musician so fret not, there wil be plenty of chances for you to prepare your upcoming recitals...  all the best to your preparation....

[dreamaurora]

Well, thanks anyway for the input, I had thought this thread has sank somewhere deep in the board. Anyway, with the advise of my teacher and also the input of some of the forumers here, I have long finalised the pieces for the recital and also the the date of the recital has been pushed back to around July to give me more breathing space. Anyway, this is the final list, which is much shorter :
- Mozart Sonata K333
- Beethoven Sonata op 26
- Intermission
- Chopin Barcarolle op 60
- Chopin Berceuse op 57
- Chopin Ballade no 2 op 38
- Chopin Ballade no 3 op 47
- Encore : Prokofiev op 12 Scherzo
- Encore : Final Fantasy 9 Piano Collection - Melody of Life

I have cut back a significant amount of the pieces to be performed upon further discussion with my teacher. We both agree that the initial programme suggested by me was rather bloated , so I decided to take away the Bach and Debussy completely. The encores have also been changed completely to something more palatable. The Scherzo provides the surprise and witty part of the encore and Melody of Life provides that perfect sweet aroma to end the whole recital.

[ThEmUsIcMaNBJ]

I just couldn't help commenting on the last piece.  I love that song, and the arrangement for the piano is very gorgeous, Nobuo Uematsu knows what he's doing.  It strikes a chord with me (no pun intended), because I love Final Fantasy series and many other RPG's by squaresoft.  Before I became so into the piano I would play them hours after hours.  Actually...  I started learning the piano because I wanted to learn Celes' Theme from Final Fantasy 6 Piano Collections!  

Sorry if I went a little off topic!!  Just wanted to congradulate you on your great taste!  

[lars]

Dear Dreamaurora:
Why don't you start your recital with 3 fantastics Scarlatti Sonatas in the place of Bach?Love,Lars