My college audition material for next year (hopefully)

[lisztisforkids]

Bach: WTC book 1, f# minor prelude & fuge. Clementi: Sonata in f# minor op.25 no 5 Chopin: Etude in c minor op. 25 no, And or Brahms rhapsody in b minor op 79. no 1.  And for a contemporay piece, i was going along the line of a few Prokofief vision fugitives. Does anybody have any comments on my current lineup?? Good, Bad.

[thierry13]

Could be a bit easy, depending on the college you're entering in. In most college, it would be okay I guess. In bigger schools of music, this is too easy. But I guess you'll be okay! Sounds like a fine program.

[arensky]

Could be a bit easy, depending on the college you're entering in. In most college, it would be okay I guess. In bigger schools of music, this is too easy. But I guess you'll be okay! Sounds like a fine program.

And what are you playing right now, Monsieur Thierry.....?? 

[pita bread]

Regardless of what Thierry is playing, the Clementi will not stack up against a well played Beethoven Op. 81a or the like. The Bach is fine, as is the Brahms. I personally dislike the Prokofiev Visions Fugitives and would recommend something like the Kapustin Toccatina.

[arensky]

Regardless of what Thierry is playing, the Clementi will not stack up against a well played Beethoven Op. 81a or the like. The Bach is fine, as is the Brahms. I personally dislike the Prokofiev Visions Fugitives and would recommend something like the Kapustin Toccatina.

Because everyone has performed and recorded the immortal Kapustin Toccatina, that hackneyed warhorse. Prokofiev, that hack, just can't measure up to the great Kapustin.

Sorry, feeling ornery tonight  . Who is this Kapustin, anyway? Where can I hear his pieces?

[pita bread]

Kapustin is a contemporary composer who writes classically structured works in a jazz idiom. The pieces are catchy, well crafted, and often feature some nifty counterpoint. Some of his greatest pieces, IMO, are his Sonata-Fantasie #1, Variations Op. 41, and the 8 Concert Etudes. If you want any recordings, contact me via AIM. (my gosh I sound like a salesman)

[arensky]

Kapustin is a contemporary composer who writes classically structured works in a jazz idiom. The pieces are catchy, well crafted, and often feature some nifty counterpoint. Some of his greatest pieces, IMO, are his Sonata-Fantasie #1, Variations Op. 41, and the 8 Concert Etudes. If you want any recordings, contact me via AIM. (my gosh I sound like a salesman)

Just listened to op.68#5  Allegro Animato form Etudes in Different Intervals; very cool!

Of course it helps to have Hamelin playing, but this was a good piece, well composed. How contemporary is he, is he alive? Does he play? Where does he live? Sell away, I'm listening! 

[pita bread]

He's Russian and still alive and kickin' as far as I know.

[arensky]

But back to our topic, why can't this dude play Clementi? Do you really think it's easy, I assume you have looked at it Pita? Clementi has some tough stuff in it; this piece is way harder chops-wise than most Mozart Sonatas, and is the equal of most of the pre- op.53 Beethoven Sonatas....and without Clementi, Beethoven's piano music as we know it would not exist. I think most auditioners would be interested in the incoming freshman who shows interest in lesser played repertoire....

[pita bread]

Doesn't Julliard only allow Beethoven, Mozart (only the kv576), Haydn, and Schubert?

[arensky]

Don't know, but Schubert is not "Classical". Schubert is a Romantic composer, I don't care how many Sonatas he wrote.
 
Beethoven is also a Romantic, certainly after op.22, and probably before that. Stupid divisions and categories. You refer to Kasputin as jazz influenced, but I don't hear that, sounds more like Broadway on amphetemines to me, at least the one piece I've heard. But you hear something else. And that's cool, what makes all of this interesting.

[pita bread]

Don't know, but Schubert is not "Classical". Schubert is a Romantic composer, I don't care how many Sonatas he wrote.
 
Beethoven is also a Romantic, certainly after op.22, and probably before that. Stupid divisions and categories.

Beats me. I just know that USC and Julliard allow you to fufill the classical sonata requirement with Schubert and late Beethoven. We're the ones auditioning, so we're just going to have to deal with colleges' divisions and categories. Otherwise, the divisions and categories are pretty lame; the term "classical" does no justice to the Beethoven Op. 111, nor does the term "late-romantic" do anything for Scriabin's Prometheus.

Interesting that you hear Broadway in the Interval-Etude though. I always heard something Stravinsky-ian in those pieces. As for the Jazz influence, I think the Variations Op. 41, and Preludes Op. 53 fit the description well.

[dmk]

But back to our topic, why can't this dude play Clementi? Do you really think it's easy, I assume you have looked at it Pita? Clementi has some tough stuff in it; this piece is way harder chops-wise than most Mozart Sonatas, and is the equal of most of the pre- op.53 Beethoven Sonatas....and without Clementi, Beethoven's piano music as we know it would not exist. I think most auditioners would be interested in the incoming freshman who shows interest in lesser played repertoire....

Some of the Clementi Sonata's are genuinely difficult but most schools seem to ask for a Sonata by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart or Schubert....

Not fair maybe but life.

Would definately look @ the specific requirements for the schools.  If they don't specify I think Clementi would be a great way to go!!

Not sure about the prokofiev...find an contemporary (currently living or very recently deceased) American composer (assuming your American) and go with that...Im sure there is lots out there.

good luck

dmk

[espresso]

Don't know, but Schubert is not "Classical". Schubert is a Romantic composer, I don't care how many Sonatas he wrote.
 
Beethoven is also a Romantic, certainly after op.22, and probably before that. Stupid divisions and categories. You refer to Kasputin as jazz influenced, but I don't hear that, sounds more like Broadway on amphetemines to me, at least the one piece I've heard. But you hear something else. And that's cool, what makes all of this interesting.

Kapustin's Jazz is very apparent in most of his works, the Variations Op. 41, the 8 concert etudes (especially the intermezzo, sounds like music you'd hear in a jazz bar).  He is one of my favourite composers alive, definitely worth checking out if you like jazz/classical fusion, its very fun (and sometimes very difficult to play!) 

Hyperion has a Hamelin and a Osborne album, regardless of the actually playing, Hamelin's selection was for me more interesting.

[pianowelsh]

I presume that your not speaking about entering Curtis or Julliard - quite frankly why would you want to? There are perfectly fantastic teachers at other places and you will prob get btter care elsewhere and at the same time avoid alot of the pretentious drivel that is constently prepetuated in these excessively inbread institutions! (I feel better now). Your programme looks fine - It shows off your fingers pretty well and shows that you have a bit of intellect - two qualities most colleges will not turn their noses up at. I know a lot of the Clementi sonatas - F# one im not familiar with BUT i believe clementi is a good choice for under grad audition He uses many techniques of his contemporaries and is nice and tuneful - to be honest you stand a better chance with something less well known the last thing a jury panel want to hear is yet another hopefull trying to hack off another op81a! Play what you feel comfortable playing - non of this stuff is too easy! (in fact i have heard masters students give performances of Rhapsody - and frankly i dont think Argerich etc sit down with their agents and say oh dear cant play that one on my new disk its too EASY - what a bizare mentality pervades the conservatoire culture - it needs to die SOON!). Myadvice would be to work with what you have and work on quality - that is far more important really than what you play. They want to see that you are a musician that cares about what you do and can show dedication to that end - present what you have WELL.  Most surely though you need to ensure that you are totally in command f your programme technically - dont show what you cant do show what you can do!

[pita bread]

Not sure about the prokofiev...find an contemporary (currently living or very recently deceased) American composer (assuming your American) and go with that...Im sure there is lots out there.

Colleges ask for 20th century pieces, not "contemporary."

[mrchops10]

I like the idea of playing Clementi. In general, whatever sets you apart is a good thing, so long as it is well played. As a matter of fact, they usually ask you which piece you want to start with, and I would go ahead and choose that one. WARNING: You will thus be the "kid who played Clementi" in their minds, probably the only one. Make darn sure it's a good Clementi, the unusual piece always defines the performer. Good luck!

[dmk]

Colleges ask for 20th century pieces, not "contemporary."

I know that!!!

I said you would be better off playing something 'contemporary' rather than piece like some of the Visions Fugitive...you can play Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev, Rach whatever really