My Senior Recital

[Pumkinhead]

Hello Everyone. I am in desperate need for some advice on my Senior Recital, and how I should arrange it. I plan on performing this in late November, because my conservatory auditions will be in early-January/February (I thought it'd be good to get as many performances as possible), and it entirely consists of my audition repetoire.

The Problem is, I have no idea how I should arrange these pieces, to have a strong first half, and a second half which will keep them interested. Below is the best I could come up with, so please Suggest any ideas! Thanks guys, I knew I could count on you!


Mendelssohn: Variation Serieuses in D minor (12 min.)

Bach: Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C# Major, No. 3 (4 min.)

Beethoven: Sonata No. in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 (21 min.)


---------Intermission----------

Dello Joio: Capriccio (on the interval of a second) (8 Min.)

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto in B flat minor (1st Movement) (20 min.)

Encore: Chopin Etudes Op. 25 No. 1,12 (5 min.)

[quantum]

For your opening piece I'd suggest the one you are most comfortable playing.  Nerves are a bit of a factor when you start, and it's good to get the feel of the piano and the audience with a piece that you are quite confident performing. 

Right now the program looks good to me.  Another possibility is to switch around the Mendelssohn and Beethoven. 

[pianistimo]

despite what i said earlier about bach being difficult to bring an audience into right away, i would start with the bach, then beethoven, and end the first half with the mendelssohn.

the second half - i'd simply perform the tchaikovsky and make the dello joio a surprise encore.  then, if they like it - you can play the chopin etude for a second encore.

ps  i was wondering why the two pieces in d minor?  seems slightly depressing, but maybe quite beautiful.  usually, don't you try to find pieces in different keys?  maybe it's just my idea?  i was thinking, major, minor, major (different keys).

[dmk]

Hello Everyone. I am in desperate need for some advice on my Senior Recital, and how I should arrange it. I plan on performing this in late November, because my conservatory auditions will be in early-January/February (I thought it'd be good to get as many performances as possible), and it entirely consists of my audition repetoire.

The Problem is, I have no idea how I should arrange these pieces, to have a strong first half, and a second half which will keep them interested. Below is the best I could come up with, so please Suggest any ideas! Thanks guys, I knew I could count on you!


Mendelssohn: Variation Serieuses in D minor (12 min.)

Bach: Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C# Major, No. 3 (4 min.)

Beethoven: Sonata No. in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 (21 min.)


---------Intermission----------

Dello Joio: Capriccio (on the interval of a second) (8 Min.)

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto in B flat minor (1st Movement) (20 min.)

Encore: Chopin Etudes Op. 25 No. 1,12 (5 min.)

I know this might sound like a stupid question...but are you playing the Tchaikovsky with an orchestra (or a second piano)....

It just seems weird to me that people would play a concerto movement w/ out an orchestra for a recital.  I mean a concerto (at an exceptionally base level) is a sonata for instrument and orchestra isn't it, so why would you play it without??

I wouldn't send a senior recital student (ie year before University) into a recital with a concerto movement without an orchestra...it just strikes me as odd, but people on this forum seem to do it.....so I seem to be out of the loop on this one!!

Is this normal in other countries??? or is it a requirement???

cheers

dmk

[Pumkinhead]

Sorry for resurrecting this, but just one more question. If I can't find a hall with two grand pianos and/or accompanist, how would this program sound?

Dello Joio: Capriccio On the Interval of a Second

Bach: Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C# Major, No. 3 (4 min.)

Beethoven: Sonata No. in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 (21 min.)


---------Intermission----------

Mendelssohn: Variation Serieuses in D minor (12 min.)

Chopin Etudes Op. 25 No. 1,12 (5 min.)



Any thoughts/ideas? Even bad ones might spark better ideas, so please comment!

[pianistimo]

i actually like that!  it's creative and interesting, and doesn't tie the two d minor pieces directly together.  of course, if you were trying to impress the girls, you could write your own piano transcription for the tchaikovsky first movement.  then, i would still keep the order of bach, beethoven, mendelssohn  (intermission) tchaikovsky  and then encores of dello joio at least. 

ps use the music - since people will appreciate that you took the time to write out the tchaikovsky transcription - for the tchaikovsky.  then, really blow them away with the dello joio after applause (people like it when you play something really well, not on the program) and then they'll think you're a genius when you pull out chopin etudes. 

[pianistimo]

why all the minor keys, though?  maybe more alternation of major/minor?  maybe you could explain your mindset of program choice - testing the waters of people's concentration - and seeing if there is a level of comfort at which people are exhausted of compassion or wanting to hear minor key vs major key?  (esp. after all the serious variations - then a Bb minor concerto?)  maybe you should go for a combined recital with voice or something and alternate that way?  it gives you time to relax, and time for the audience to hear a piece in a major key between all the minor keys.

[Pumkinhead]

The thing is, I didn't choose all of these pieces to make a stellar recital). I chose them as stellar audition pieces that I know that I would play extremely well. As I said earlier, I just need a professional performance in front of a discriminating audience to get used to performing my pieces. It may be a lopsided program, but I do wish to play the Tchaikovsky if I can get the necessities, or the solo recital if I can't. And most important, I want the experience with these pieces in action before the Real test, my auditions for MSM, Julliard, and Colburn.

[pianowelsh]

I actually prefer your second programme. Save the concerto for concerto audition second recital sounds fresher and its better to get some clear space between Tempest and Seriueses - for you and the audience

[Pumkinhead]

Hmmmm, I really hate to resurrect the post, but I've decided on another way to situate the pieces.

Rachmaninoff Etude Tableaux Op. 33 No. 3 in C minor (5 mins)

Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C# Major (4 mins)

Beethoven Tempest Sonata (21 mins)

---------------Intermission-----------------------

Dello Joio Capriccio on the Interval of a second (8 mins)

Mendelssohn Variation Serieuses (12 mins)

Encores: Chopin Etudes Op. 25 No. 1,12 (5)


Any thoughts, you guys?

[pita bread]

So I take it that Earl did not kill you? 

[pita bread]

Don't start with the Rachmaninoff, put it between the Dello Joio and Mendy.

[apion]

why all the minor keys, though? 

What's the prob? 

[pianistimo]

maybe there's no problem with it - but somehow, the order of rach first still doesn't do it for me.  i'm noticing lately how other performers put their recitals together.  it's extremely important to have a 'flow' and it's almost as important as what you play, imo.  it shows your level of musical sophistication.  kind of like what you eat with what. 

what does dr. voorhies suggest?  whatever he says, i think it's good advice.