Thanks for responding!
mikey6, you made me think.. how about this swap from what you suggested:
Liszt etude
Rach prelude
Ballade
Sonetto
Rhapsody
It's actually just what I planned originally, but with swapping the rach prelude and sonetto. pianowelsh makes a valid point about not liking to break away from a composer and then come back. Liszt etude is just an introduction; Consider Ballade the first piece to begin the Liszt works.
mikey6, you are right - Rach prelude and Sonetto are pretty similar, and I didn't want them side by side. Also, Rhapsody and Ballade are longish pieces, and I dont want to play them one after another, as pianowelsh suggested. People must have breaks to cough and shuffle in their seats etc.
About the etude: Dont think of it as a piece really; pianowelsh, I think this piece is more of an introduction than an encore. it is often called "Prelude to the Transcendental Etudes" and in that documentary "art of the piano," it made for a nice effect when it was performed during the opening credits. I wouldn't play it in any showoffy or pretentious way; I just wanted it to greet the audience.
I dont think I can learn that Brahms rhapsody in time.. also, once, at a competition, this piece was one of the 'staple' pieces all competitors were required to play. i think Liszt's rhapsody is more unique and makes for better ending material for a recital. I wanted to do Bach-Busoni Chaconne in Dm as an ending, but ..... ;)I'm only human.