Two recital programmes.

[ahmedito]

I must give 2 recitals in the same city one week apart in the same hall and Im trying to shuffle around the programme Im playing now to make up two 1 hour recitals. So far this is what Ive come up with, how would you arrange them? Possible encores, take from one recital, put them in the other.

Recital 1:

Bach G major Partita
Beethoven Pastorale Sonata
--Break--
Etudes 1-5 from Scriabin op. 8
Rachmaninov etudes op. 33, 4-6 (dm, ebm, eb)

Recital 2:

Bach Bb major WTC, book 2
Brahms Variations on an original theme op. 21 n. 1
--Break--
Scarlatti 6 sonatas (I dont remember the Kirkpatrick or Longo numbers, but they're pretty varied)
Liszt second Ballade
Rachmaninov etudes op. 39 2,3 and 8 (am, F#m, dm)

[g_s_223]

I'm learning those Brahms variations now - they're great.

If you want to chat about them by email or IM, send me a PM.

 

[pianowelsh]

Ok.  I like your first programme But i would say be carefull because the G maj partita is quite gentle and pastoral in many respects and so is the Beethoven. I might move it into the beginning of the second half it has quite a 'leading in' opening.  Your second recital sounds very glitzy But I would say be carefully again that it dosent become bitty - there are lots of short pieces - could you include something more 'extended' ie a sonata as opposed to a theme and variation structure? I would agree that you can use any of these etudes as encores.

[ahmedito]

The variations are very unified, and not very contrasting, so they dont tend to come off very bitsy.

Even so, you are right about the Beethoven, I would like it to start something, though Im not sure what, because a lot of this music as a "leading" feel. I think you're wrong about the Partita, at least the way I play it its not very "Pastorale", its more of a rythimical, bouncy character in general.

[pianowelsh]

I dont wish to give the impression that i consider the partita pastorale. Merely in the sense of its key and its ornate little dances it cannot be considered a dramatic work of Bach (eg Partita 2 or Chromatic Fantasy etc etc) In that sense I believe it tends towards a similar kind of character to the Beethoven which is why I have reservations.  If you feel you can really bring off these contrasts and maintain the listeners interest please do because they are both fantastic works but - I wouldnt walk the tightrope myself.   I know the Pag variations quite well and dont have a problem with them as a piece but my concern is that you have a prelude  AND fugue, a Theme AND variations AND a group of etudes and a group of short sonatas. I would be inclined (only a suggestion) to loose either the scarlatti or the Bach P&Fg and insert a Classical sonata into the first half and perhaps a couple of the etudes.  open the second half with your Brahms (acrobatics) stick in the Liszt Ballade (great piece) and then perhaps finish up with the last Scriabin etude of the op8 D#??? see how it grabs you. try playing it through and see how it feels to you.  The reason i suggest this prog is that there is more of a logical progression through it and the whole prog then leads up to your big finish.

[ahmedito]

... Variations in D major op. 21 n. 1, NOT Paganini. They could not be more different. And Im not playing Scriabin d#, Im playing the first 5 etudes from op. 8

[practicingnow]

Everything looks good, except you should end the second program with the Liszt, not the Rach...

[burstroman]

Exciting programs, would like to hear you.  Hope it's a great success.

[arensky]

Hey you should play your transcription... " Reminiscences of The Lion King",  by John/Ahmedito..

If you do, I will provide  the other; "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, Arlen/arensky.... 


Seriously your programs are great, I wouldn't change them...