Audition repertoire (part 2)

[phil13]

Okay, here's my new and improved audition list. All of the pieces are ones I'm working on now.

Bach-Busoni: 'Sleepers, Awake' Chorale Prelude No.2 BWV 645 (Bach requirement)

Beethoven: Sonata No.8 in C minor 'Pathetique' Op.13 (Classical sonata requirement)

Liszt: Sonnetto del Petrarca No.104 in E major (Romantic requirement)

Debussy: Prelude Book I, No.10 'The Sunken Cathedral' (Impressionist/20th Century requirement)

Scriabin: Etude Op.8 No.11 in B-flat minor (Etude requirement)

Here are the backups in case any of these should not work:

Bach: Prelude and Fugue No.6 Book I in D minor
Chopin: Nocturnes No.19 and 20 in E minor and C# minor respectively
Scriabin: Etude Op.2 No.1 in C# minor
Khachaturian: Toccata in E-flat minor (not started, just thinking about it.)

Let me know what you think my chances are of getting in with this new program.

Phil

[BoliverAllmon]

I prefer the D min P&F over Bach-BUsoni. I just love the dmin.

[prometheus]

It would be better to have something with more substance ready as baroque piece. A WTC P&F would be better. And the Busoni organ transcriptions with fugues or toccatas are also better, though I imagine some of those are very hard.. The organ prelude is very nice but it has only one musical setting. So not very good for an audition.

Note, you will not be playing a recital. You are auditioning. They will get the list of pieces you prepared and they ask you to play a movement of one of your pieces. They let you play until they heard what they wanted to hear. Then they will stop you and ask you to play something else, depending on what they need to hear.

The fact that you have the chorale prelude in no way means you won't be admitted. It depends mainly on how much potential they think you have, and how good you already are.

Also note, such a short piece as a baroque piece, and even a transcription done by a post-romantic composer. may result in them thinking baroque doesn't interest you and probably is your weak spot.

[pooguy77]

YES! Your romantic choice is a huge improvement. I hope that piece will work well for you. I also agree with the Bach, the prelude and fugue is overall a better choice. The prelude is great, the fugue is not my taste but still a better choice. If you wanna look at other Prelude and Fugues that aren't to hard to tackle, the D-Major and G-Major in Bk. I are good choices.

[viking]

Never audition with the Khachaturian toccatta, but do learn it.  Its quite a lovely piece
SAM

[dmk]

Be careful....I would call the conservatoires and colleges you are auditioning for

1/  A Busoni transcription will generally not satisfy the Bach requirement- the requirement is usually for a specifically Bach or Baroque work and I would be stunned if a transciption was accepted

2/ The etude requirement is usually a virtuoistic etude: although the Scriabin is lovely and certainly not easy it is not virtuoistic in nature...

You would want to check these.....

Other than that I think plenty on the forum have already expressed concerns over auditioning with the Pathetique......so there is no need for me to rehash that ground.


Good Luck!!!!

dmk

[raffyplayspiano]

is this an undegrad audition or postgrad?

if its undergrad, which i presume it is, most schools like a Bach prelude an fugue, or a Bach work with a fugue..

I also agree with DMK about the etude..how about a Chopin etude? 

im also concerned about the classical "standards" in this program,, (sunken cathedral, pathetique) it puts more pressure on the person auditioned because these works are so familair its going to take more to make someone stand out playing them, even if they play them well. 

just my opinion, however, I think that if played well, this will get you into  school. 

raffy

[thierry13]

I also agree with DMK about the etude..how about a Chopin etude? 

Chopin are becoming to be played too often. Maybe a Liszt one. Played, but not really that often! Or a chopin/godowsky would definatly do the job! And are seldom played 

[dmk]

 

Chopin are becoming to be played too often. Maybe a Liszt one. Played, but not really that often! Or a chopin/godowsky would definatly do the job! And are seldom played

I never suggested a Chopin Etude....I think a Scriabin Etude is an excellent idea just not op8 n11 because it is not very vituoistic.  A Rachmaninoff or Debussy Etude could be good, there are plenty of excellent selections there.

I probably wouldn't play a Debussy Etude of you play the Engulfed Cathedral but I agree with Raffys comments about this.  There are so many fantastic 20th century works to choose from, it seems a shame to pick the most hashed Debussy Prelude there is!

Best wishes

dmk

[thierry13]

I never suggested a Chopin Etude....I think a Scriabin Etude is an excellent idea just not op8 n11 because it is not very vituoistic.  A Rachmaninoff or Debussy Etude could be good, there are plenty of excellent selections there.

I probably wouldn't play a Debussy Etude of you play the Engulfed Cathedral but I agree with Raffys comments about this.  There are so many fantastic 20th century works to choose from, it seems a shame to pick the most hashed Debussy Prelude there is!

Best wishes

dmk

I didn't quote you, I quoted raffy.

[phil13]

Ok, here are the exact requirements:

Oberlin College

One composition by Bach
A complete classical sonata (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven)
One etude of virtuosity (Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin)
One composition from the romantic period (Chopin, Schumann, Brahms)
One composition by a 20th century composer

Rice University/ Shepherd School of Music

30 minutes of memorized repertoire representing 3 of the following 4 style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist/20th century.
Recommended: Prelude and Fugue from WTC, sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven, a solo piece from the Romantic repertoire, anda work by a representative 20th century composer.

Willamette University

I already cleared this program with them and they say it's fine.

University of Oregon

Demonstrate competency in playing scales and arpeggios (4 octaves ascending and descending, hands together), piano repertoire, and sight-reading. Audition repertoire should consist of contrasting pieces from the Baroque or Classic periods, the Romantic period, and the 20th or 21st century.

These are not exactly specific. Some recommend P&Fs, but there are no exact specifics on what not to play. So, I'd like to have the benefit of the doubt and say that 'Sleepers, Wake' would be fine since there is no requirement banning transcriptions.

is this an undegrad audition or postgrad?

if its undergrad, which i presume it is, most schools like a Bach prelude an fugue, or a Bach work with a fugue..

I also agree with DMK about the etude..how about a Chopin etude?

im also concerned about the classical "standards" in this program,, (sunken cathedral, pathetique) it puts more pressure on the person auditioned because these works are so familair its going to take more to make someone stand out playing them, even if they play them well.

just my opinion, however, I think that if played well, this will get you into school.

raffy

I'm beginning to see a pattern. Everyone plays a Bach prelude and fugue. I know there are 48 to choose from, but chances are there are going to be more than 48 people auditioning at each of these colleges. Almost all of them are bound to be played. I just wish to do something different from everybody else, something that will stand out.

What the hell do you people mean by virtuosic?!?!? Apparently, it means 'a piece that is fast and incredibly difficult and not the sort of thing I have time to put up with'. Chopin's etudes are not only used by most people in auditions, all but a very select few are extremely difficult for someone who hasn't been playing for their whole childhood. Scriabin is the composer I want an etude from, but I can't figure out any of the ones with 5-on-3 and 5-on-4 polyrhythms. The only ones that seem like more than exercises are 8-6 (impossible for me, those 6ths are killers), 8-9 (Beautiful, but those octave jumps look like they'd take years to perfect), 8-11 (the one I'm working on now), 8-12 (the most often played etude, so it wouldn't stand out. Plus, it's just as difficult as 8-9), 2-1 (I love this piece and have it perfected. But I guess it's not virtuosic enough either), and 42-5 (the hardest one, not ideal for me to start right now.) Sorry, I'm just a little fed up with learning all-difficult pieces since I know that by doing so I'll play it poorly due to lack of sufficient practicing.

'Pathetique' is no problem... I've been working on it the hardest, and it'll probably be perfected in about 1-2 months. After that, I'll have about 4 months to get the interpretation just right. 'Sunken Cathedral'- same deal. Interpretation and perfection are key to my audition repertoire, so I will be taking that very seriously.

Phil

[pooguy77]

True, there might not be a banned on transcription, however the judges really want to see your style of playing for the baroque period. In addition, since you already doing the Debussy and Scriabin, both less virtoustic pieces (which is fine! b/c your showing off your other skills), I think an up beat Bach is good. I think you could get away with the Bach-Busoni at some of the schools your applying to, however for Rice and defintely Oberlin, I think a true Bach piece would benefit you more.

I understand that many people are going to be doing P and F, but I doubt that everyone will acutally cover all 48, there are many that aren't ever touch, especially some of the rare ones in Bk. II. However, you can try to listen and look at the scores at a acouple of Bach's English and French Suites. You can present one or two movements depending on how fast you can learn them. Even three if you have time, which is typical. Some are hard and some i'm sure you are capable of learning within your time constraint. There is also the Italian Concerto, which I think is Grade 8, but it's not overtly difficult. The first or third movement would suite you well.

As for your etude. If allowed, sinced Oberlin does state the composer's they want for the etude, your can try a MacDowell etude. Not from his Op. 39, but his other 12 set of etudes which is more difficult. I did the March Wind for college auditions, which is a fast, impressive piece that the judges will like yet it is not overtly hard as well. However, if you want to keep your scriabin, I think that is fine as well.

[phil13]

True, there might not be a banned on transcription, however the judges really want to see your style of playing for the baroque period. In addition, since you already doing the Debussy and Scriabin, both less virtoustic pieces (which is fine! b/c your showing off your other skills), I think an up beat Bach is good. I think you could get away with the Bach-Busoni at some of the schools your applying to, however for Rice and defintely Oberlin, I think a true Bach piece would benefit you more.

I understand that many people are going to be doing P and F, but I doubt that everyone will acutally cover all 48, there are many that aren't ever touch, especially some of the rare ones in Bk. II. However, you can try to listen and look at the scores at a acouple of Bach's English and French Suites. You can present one or two movements depending on how fast you can learn them. Even three if you have time, which is typical. Some are hard and some i'm sure you are capable of learning within your time constraint. There is also the Italian Concerto, which I think is Grade 8, but it's not overtly difficult. The first or third movement would suite you well.

As for your etude. If allowed, sinced Oberlin does state the composer's they want for the etude, your can try a MacDowell etude. Not from his Op. 39, but his other 12 set of etudes which is more difficult. I did the March Wind for college auditions, which is a fast, impressive piece that the judges will like yet it is not overtly hard as well. However, if you want to keep your scriabin, I think that is fine as well.

Now THOSE are good ideas. I already know the 1st movement of the Italian Concerto, so I could play that at Oberlin and maybe also at Rice. I just wasn't sure if I needed all 3 movements or just one. Since you say one is okay, that's fine.

Unfortunately, Oberlin does state the composers (see above). I'm going to stay with the Scriabin. I suppose that I'll have to plead to them to let me play the Liszt since it's not on the romantic list. It would be so much better than playing one of those nocturnes, and it would show me off, too. Does anyone know if you can play pieces by composers outside those lists at Oberlin?

Phil

[pooguy77]

I'm sure the Lizst will be fine. However, the best thing to do is to contact one of the professors there and simply ask.

[dmk]

Ok, here are the exact requirements:

Oberlin College

One composition by Bach
A complete classical sonata (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven)
One etude of virtuosity (Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin)
One composition from the romantic period (Chopin, Schumann, Brahms)
One composition by a 20th century composer

Rice University/ Shepherd School of Music

30 minutes of memorized repertoire representing 3 of the following 4 style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist/20th century.
Recommended: Prelude and Fugue from WTC, sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven, a solo piece from the Romantic repertoire, anda work by a representative 20th century composer.


What the hell do you people mean by virtuosic?!?!? Apparently, it means 'a piece that is fast and incredibly difficult and not the sort of thing I have time to put up with'. Chopin's etudes are not only used by most people in auditions, all but a very select few are extremely difficult for someone who hasn't been playing for their whole childhood. Scriabin is the composer I want an etude from, but I can't figure out any of the ones with 5-on-3 and 5-on-4 polyrhythms. The only ones that seem like more than exercises are 8-6 (impossible for me, those 6ths are killers), 8-9 (Beautiful, but those octave jumps look like they'd take years to perfect), 8-11 (the one I'm working on now), 8-12 (the most often played etude, so it wouldn't stand out. Plus, it's just as difficult as 8-9), 2-1 (I love this piece and have it perfected. But I guess it's not virtuosic enough either), and 42-5 (the hardest one, not ideal for me to start right now.) Sorry, I'm just a little fed up with learning all-difficult pieces since I know that by doing so I'll play it poorly due to lack of sufficient practicing.

Phil

Phil,

I hate to break this to you, but if they have specifically, as Oberlin has, asked for a virtuoistic Etude then thats what you have to present.  It doesn't matter if you are fed up with it or its not fair for those who haven't been playing since they were 5....thats just tough luck.  If thats who your competition to get in is..so be it.  They only have a certain number of places....

As I said, I would CALL THEM UP and ask if the 8-11 is fine.  If I was on the panel I would not consider it virtuoistic.  This generally means fast, there are plenty of Scribain Etudes which are fastish and I agree with you that Scriabin is an excellent choice.  I dont have my copy of the etudes with me at the moment, when I do Ill post some of the virtuostic ones up here. 

As for the Bach, Oberlin has specifically asked for 'a composition by Bach" and Rice made a veiled recommendation for a P & F. 

I have prepared students for University auditions successfully for the last 3 years.....A busoni transciption does not = Bach,  it just doesn't, they don't say no transcriptions because they have specifically recommended a composition by Bach and don't think anyone would be silly enough to think otherwise....TALK TO YOUR TEACHER!!!. 

Again I would call and ask them this, but I think you would be hard pressed to find a College which considers a transciption by Busoni as being a work by Bach. They won't give you the benefit of the doubt on this. For example, I hardly think schools would consider a Liszt transciption of Beethoven Symphonies as satisfying a Classical requirement just because Beethoven was a classical composer. (and yes I know most classical requirements ask for a sonata)

The Italian Concerto is really nice and a good choice although I would personally play a P & F or a Toccata.

Good luck and PLEASE call them to save yourself the grief if it doesn't turn out.

dmk

[phil13]

Okay, I called Oberlin up and they said the Liszt was fine, the Bach-Busoni is not. I think that for Oberlin I'll play the Italian Concerto, and I'll play the chorale prelude for the other auditions since I play it better.

Still no sign of whether 8-11 is okay for the etude requirement... nobody in admissions seemed to know, so I left a message with one of the piano faculty. Should be getting back to me soon...

In the meantime, I've looked at 8-9 for a replacement. The octaves in both hands look like killers. Has anyone played this etude? What would be good to know about it? What should I practice for thos octaves? How long did it take you to learn?

Phil

[dmk]

Okay, I called Oberlin up and they said the Liszt was fine, the Bach-Busoni is not. I think that for Oberlin I'll play the Italian Concerto, and I'll play the chorale prelude for the other auditions since I play it better.

Still no sign of whether 8-11 is okay for the etude requirement... nobody in admissions seemed to know, so I left a message with one of the piano faculty. Should be getting back to me soon...

In the meantime, I've looked at 8-9 for a replacement. The octaves in both hands look like killers. Has anyone played this etude? What would be good to know about it? What should I practice for thos octaves? How long did it take you to learn?

Phil

I am really pleased you called them up!!! I would hate to think that you turn up to an audition and you didn't qualify!!!

I would still call Rice up and ask them about the Chorale Prelude as satisfying the Baroque requirement???

Good luck...my fingers are crossed for you

dmk