Baylor University's Piano Competition (suggestion)

[Barbosa-piano]

 Hello everybody!

 I was just wondering if anybody could help me pick a piece. My teacher said I have to pick a movement from a classical sonata which contrasts with Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G minor, Op. 23 No. 5 (Alla marcia)- My teacher said I have this piece pretty much under control already, so this will be it. The Prelude and the sonata movement are required for this competition in Baylor University. The movement can be by Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, etc. She said it would be a good idea to pick a piece which contrasts with the Prelude... I thought the 1st movement of the Apassionata appealing, but I am in doubt.
If anyone could help me make this decision, I would be more than thankful...
Thanks in advance,
Mario Barbosa.

[sharon_f]

Last movement of the "Les Adieux."

[lisztisforkids]

Why dont you do Beethovens op. 78? Its only about 12 minuets long (both movements)
and its a really cool piece. It wil contrast nicely with the Rachmaninoff. And since its so short you will probaly be allowed to play the whole thing.

[dmk]

Why dont you do Beethovens op. 78? Its only about 12 minuets long (both movements)
and its a really cool piece. It wil contrast nicely with the Rachmaninoff. And since its so short you will probaly be allowed to play the whole thing.

I love this sonata, what a good idea, ....except you would want to check if they ask for a sonata movement.  If they do you won't be able to play a whole sonata no matter how long it is.

Schubert would be good, the 3rd movement of the A major op 120 always sounds impressive and is underratedly difficult (everyone seems to think this is Schubert's easiest sonata, I would disagree.  While it is no match for the final 3 sonatas this third movement is a real pill to play correctly and well, with some wicked jumps in the left hand and some amazing juxtapositions of tonality it can be a real pain if you pick it up @ level).

Good luck!!!

dmk

[shasta]

If your teacher is fixated on a classical sonata, then would play Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel's E major Sonata.  Here's why:

*it is very delicate and feminine, which constrasts against the masculinity of Rach 23/5
*it is in E major, which contrasts nicely against the G minor of the Rach
*it is from the pen of a woman, which contrasts nicely against old Sergei
*it is most likely a piece that neither you or the audience has heard before   

You can search Amazon to find audio snippets from its CD (Liana Serbescu on piano)

Good luck!

[burstroman]

Second or last movement of Beethoven's Sonata Op. 90.

[turner]

Schubert would be good, the 3rd movement of the A major op 120 always sounds impressive and is underratedly difficult (everyone seems to think this is Schubert's easiest sonata, I would disagree. While it is no match for the final 3 sonatas this third movement is a real pill to play correctly and well, with some wicked jumps in the left hand and some amazing juxtapositions of tonality it can be a real pain if you pick it up @ level).

Good luck!!!

dmk

I can vouch for the difficulties in the 3rd movement of Schubert Op. 120. It's not Scarbo, but it is definitely not a walk through the park. I know that because I'm working on it! It sounds so lovely and pianistic, but there are passages that are just unpianistic. I had to consult several editions in order to come up with good alternate fingerings and re-distribution of notes to make it work. Yes, when played well and flawlessly, this movement can sound very, very impressive. Good luck!

[pianowelsh]

Appassionata is great but it is also pretty dark - No?! I would suggest something embracing and sunny in disposition - Im thinking at the moment of K333 Mozart (the first or last movements), you can wiggle your fingers quite a lot in them and it would make good sense programmatically.  Have a think!