Chopin (help, please)

[phil13]

I need a new Chopin piece for my audition. Here are the ones I already know:

Polonaise in A major Op.40 No.1
Mazurka in A minor Op.17 No.4
Mazurka in C# minor Op.6 No.2
Waltz in A minor Op.34 No.2
Nocturne in E minor Op.72 No.1
Nocturne in G minor Op.37 No.1
Nocturne in C# minor Op.posth.
Various easy preludes.

Here are the pieces I'm looking at:

Polonaise in F minor Op.71 No.3
Nocturne in C# minor Op.27 No.1
Nocturne in G major Op.37 No.2
Waltz in C# minor Op.64 No.2
Impromptu in Gb major Op.51

I only need one of these pieces for the romantic requirement. Please help me choose which one or, if you wish, suggest another. Please don't suggest anything gigantic or incredibly difficult as I haven't the time to learn them properly.

Also you can help with the rest of my audition repertoire (hope this link works)

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,11044.0.html

Thank you, and may I say I am quite impressed with everyone here and the talent they have!

Phil

[happyface94]

Play the popular Scherzo. (no.2?)

[jehangircama]

If you have time to learn it play the Fantasie in F minor op 49. its a really beautiful piece

[phil13]

From what I've heard, the Scherzo is overdone.

The Fantasy is a gorgeous, brilliant masterpiece... but a bit out of range.

I need something that won't be too long, but that also is within my capabilities. Aim for Grade 8/8+ (ABRSM, although I'm not in the program) but not much further. (i.e. no very advanced ones like most of the Etudes.)

Please, I need your help! I'm already getting a little on-edge.

Phil

[sharon_f]

Of the group you listed, I would recommend the Nocturne in C# minor, Op. 27, No.1. It is an absolutely gorqeous piece of music. Also, technically it is much more challenging than the other pieces listed and definitely better suited for an audition. Be aware, it is not easy--the left hand jumps in the piu mosso section are treacherous.

[mlsmithz]

If you're looking for a piece of ABRSM Grade 8 standard, the C minor polonaise Op.40 No.2 was on the Grade 8 syllabus quite recently, and that's not too difficult (like all of Chopin's polonaises, it repeats itself often enough that the total amount of music is relatively small, meaning that as long as you can make it sound different each time, it doesn't take long to learn).  As for length, it usually takes 7-8 minutes to perform, but you can cut the repeat of the first interlude to save a minute or two if length is a concern.

[perfect_pitch]

What about Chopins Ballade No. 1 in g minor

When I saw the movie 'The Pianist' - and I saw the piece being played - I almost cried...

(You'd need to see the movie to find out why.)

[happyface94]

Chopin Etude op.10 no.3. If you can play the polonaise op.40 no.1 you are of this level.

[jehangircama]

the posthmous waltz in E minor was on the ABRSM grade 8 course a few years ago. the only thing is that its not all that long. what about the polonaise fantasie? the Fantasie impromptu is an ATCL piece which is about 5 mins long. otherwise the op.10 no.3 etude is a good idea. but its not as simple as it sounds. then you could also do the op27 no.1 or no.2 Nocturne, those are also very nice pieces.

[phil13]

Those are all good ideas.

What about Chopins Ballade No. 1 in g minor

When I saw the movie 'The Pianist' - and I saw the piece being played - I almost cried...

(You'd need to see the movie to find out why.)

I have seen the movie, and that piece had moved me before the movie. It's unbelievable, but it's also overplayed. So are the Op.10 No.3 etude and the Fantasie-Impromptu, all of which I've looked at and attempted but never finished.

I LOVE that polonaise in C minor. If it's played right, it truly is amazing.

Ok, here's the upgraded list:

Impromptu Op.51 in Gb major
Nocturne Op.27 No.1 in C# minor (I've already practiced the LH jumps some)
Polonaise in C minor Op.40 No.2
Polonaise in F minor Op.71 No.3

But it still needs to be narrowed down.

Phil

[happyface94]

I played that polonaise (op.40 no.2) , it is quite easy.

I dont see why you hate "overplayed" pieces, because for me some of the pieces you mentionend as overplayed sure aren't to me. I guess the op.44 polonaise (f sharp minor?) is too hard.

Why must you play Chopin for the romantic piece? You can play Brahms, Schubert, Liszt...
Well, im not sure if Schubert is counted in it but if you choose something from him, I love his impromptu in E flat major (op.90 no.2?). From Liszt, you could try a piece from his Années de Pelerinages, or from Brahms one of his rhapsody. (although they are pretty hard).

[Motrax]

I would suggest Chopin's Op. 10 No. 9 etude in f minor. If you can reach a tenth with your left hand, it's very manageable. The piece might be a bit short (it's about 2 minutes long), though as far as I can see you didn't specify any length requirements. It's a beautiful piece, and not at all overplayed.

Of what you listed, I'd suggest playing the Impromptu. I find that it's very hard to keep people's interest with the Polonaises, since they repeat so much. I like the nocturne too, but I'd prefer the Impromptu over it.

Good luck! 

[Barbosa-piano]

This can be a hard choice, and based on the level of your pieces, I would say that the Polonaise "Militaire" would be a good choice, not so hard, and you can make it sound hard and give it a beautiful military march expression. The Nocturnes seem good, but the one that shows many different types of technique, is the Op. Posthumous, C sharp minor, you find fast runs, proof of quality of trills, sixths and fifths, and you also have to show a good sense of touch and legato. The Nocturne in G major, Op. 37 No. 2, demands a good quality of thirds, fifths and sixths, and a good touch and legato.

[freddychopin]

I played last week some almost forgotten Chopin pieces (about 12 of them) that I learned 2 or 3 years ago. These 2 are my favorites of this week.

Polonaise Opus 26 no.2 in E Flat minor (love the begin)
Nocturne Opus 48 no.1 in C minor (love the last page)

plz consider playing one of them 

[mlsmithz]

Having played both Op.26 No.2 and Op.48 No.1, I'd unhesitantly label the nocturne the more difficult of the two by far - it's my favourite Chopin nocturne, and I agree that the last section is incredible, but that last section is also technically blistering.  If you can pull it off, though, the judges should be duly impressed!  The polonaise isn't nearly as difficult but it's one of the more repetitive of the polonaises - Motrax makes a good point about the repetition of the polonaises making them somewhat problematic (my teacher in high school, a graduate of the music school at Indiana in the 1970s, didn't assign the polonaises to his students for this very reason).  I like the Op.26 No.2 polonaise (especially the middle page of the E-flat minor section), but there are perhaps better choices even among the polonaises.  Phil, I see from your other thread on the repertoire for your auditions that you do have the Op.40 No.2 polonaise partially learned, polishing it to audition standards shouldn't take long.

But I do have to agree with Motrax that the Op.51 impromptu might be the best choice of all - not only does it not repeat itself to the degree of the polonaises, but it's also one of Chopin's most underplayed mature works (the liner notes to my recording of Rubinstein playing the Impromptus and More Besides cites the difficulty as being responsible for its lack of exposure, but this seems misguided), which I think is a real shame as it's one of my favourite Chopin works.

[phil13]

I played that polonaise (op.40 no.2) , it is quite easy.

I dont see why you hate "overplayed" pieces, because for me some of the pieces you mentionend as overplayed sure aren't to me. I guess the op.44 polonaise (f sharp minor?) is too hard.

Why must you play Chopin for the romantic piece? You can play Brahms, Schubert, Liszt...
Well, im not sure if Schubert is counted in it but if you choose something from him, I love his impromptu in E flat major (op.90 no.2?). From Liszt, you could try a piece from his Années de Pelerinages, or from Brahms one of his rhapsody. (although they are pretty hard).

I don't hate overplayed pieces, it's just that for this same audition my classical sonata will be Beethoven's overplayed Sonata No.8 'Pathetique', so I'll be risking my ability to get an audition as it is. Judges don't want to hear the same thing over and over again, especially bad interpretations of the same piece, so I'll have to pull off a kick-ass interpretation of that sonata and I don't have time for anything else that's that popular.

I'm auditioning at Oberlin, the highest one I'm auditioning for IMO, so I'm basing my audition program off of their requirements. They state that the romantic piece must be Brahms, Schumann, or Chopin...and my greatest strength is playing Chopin. I have a knack for pulling power and melodic beauty out of his music. (BTW, I love the Schubert Impromptu and the Liszt Années de Pelerinages (esp. Italy, 3rd yr?))

Having played both Op.26 No.2 and Op.48 No.1, I'd unhesitantly label the nocturne the more difficult of the two by far - it's my favourite Chopin nocturne, and I agree that the last section is incredible, but that last section is also technically blistering.  If you can pull it off, though, the judges should be duly impressed!  The polonaise isn't nearly as difficult but it's one of the more repetitive of the polonaises - Motrax makes a good point about the repetition of the polonaises making them somewhat problematic (my teacher in high school, a graduate of the music school at Indiana in the 1970s, didn't assign the polonaises to his students for this very reason).  I like the Op.26 No.2 polonaise (especially the middle page of the E-flat minor section), but there are perhaps better choices even among the polonaises.  Phil, I see from your other thread on the repertoire for your auditions that you do have the Op.40 No.2 polonaise partially learned, polishing it to audition standards shouldn't take long.

But I do have to agree with Motrax that the Op.51 impromptu might be the best choice of all - not only does it not repeat itself to the degree of the polonaises, but it's also one of Chopin's most underplayed mature works (the liner notes to my recording of Rubinstein playing the Impromptus and More Besides cites the difficulty as being responsible for its lack of exposure, but this seems misguided), which I think is a real shame as it's one of my favourite Chopin works.

I am NOT doing Op.48 No.1. I don't care how many people ask me. I love that piece to death and the only thing I could do at my level is butcher it. But it was worth noting anyway. I don't particularly like playing the Op.26 No.2 polonaise. It seems that the Impromptu is gaining support so far.

Do you have any other comments for the rest of my audition, mlsmithz? Post on the other thread, if you do, I could use all the help I can get.

Here's the upgraded list:

Impromptu Op.51 in Gb major
Nocturne in C# minor Op.posth.
Nocturne in C# minor Op.27 No.1
Polonaise in C minor Op.40 No.2

It seems like whenever I take a piece off the list, another finds its way in. Maybe I like Chopin too much ...

Nah.

Thanks,

Phil

[mlsmithz]

Do you have any other comments for the rest of my audition, mlsmithz? Post on the other thread, if you do, I could use all the help I can get.

While I'm flattered that you'd be interested in my opinion about the rest of your audition, I don't think I'm really qualified to offer solid advice about appropriate audition pieces - though I did audition (on organ, not piano) for a music scholarship at Wooster when I was applying to universities, I wasn't planning to study music there, or indeed anywhere.  Still, I'll say what I can in the other thread, and hopefully some of it will be of value.

It seems like whenever I take a piece off the list, another finds its way in. Maybe I like Chopin too much ...

Pff!  No such thing as liking Chopin too much, if you ask me. (But then I did go through a phase lasting a year or so when I refused to play anything by a composer other than Chopin, which frustrated my teacher no end!)

[phil13]

OK, I've narrowed it down again.

Impromptu Op.51 in Gb major
Nocturne in C# minor Op. posth.

Yay! I've only got one decision to go for now: Old, for sake of perfection? Or new, for sake of originality? I can probably get the Impromptu down no problem, but there's no guarantee.

Phil