Another recital program thread

[Motrax]

I assume you're familiar enough with these threads... sorry to start up yet another one. This program is for a senior recital in college (undergrad). I'm limited to exactly an hour, and not a moment longer. I'm pretty sure of what I want to play, except for the empty ten minutes before the Chopin etudes.

Mozart Sonata K. 310
Ravel Jeux D’eau
~ Intermission ~
*EMPTY TEN MINUTES*
Chopin 10-1, 10-4, 10-8, 10-9, 25-2, 25-10, 25-11, 25-12

Right now I'd either play Liszt's Un Sospiro or a set of etudes (rach 33-4, Scriabin 8-2, Rach 39-8, in that order).

I'd like some more "introspective" piece(s) to go in the empty spot, since I'll have enough noise and notes in the Chopin etudes. I'd also like to program Russian pieces there, unless I play Un Sospiro, but there are so many short pieces by Rachmaninoff and Scriabin (and Medtner and Arensky etc.) that I really don't know what to put there.

Any general suggestions on the recital program would be welcome too.

Thanks in advance.

- M

[arensky]

Barcarolle, op. 60 Chopin.

Just seems right...

[bach-liszt]

I like your program, Motrax (especially the second half).

I would consider inserting the Liszt Transcendental Etude, no. 3 in F, "Paysage."  I know you might be thinking...another etude in the second half!?.....but this etude is different...slower and both reflective and beautiful.   I have enjoyed playing it over the last several years.  I think it is a perfect "calm piece" to give the important "tension - release" balance in a good program.  It is less than ten minutes (do you have to fill up the ten minutes exactly?)  Sometimes less is more.

Remember to be thankful you can play and study the piano and enjoy your performance.  

All the best to you!

[Motrax]

Thanks Arensky and BachLiszt. I can't believe I didn't think of the Barcarolle! I almost ordered the sheet music to it a month ago, but decided I should wait until I'm sure I'm playing it. It's the perfect length and perfect mood that I want. My only issue with it is that it's by Chopin, and the faculty might be looking for more variety (even if it's Liszt). There aren't any written rules on how many composers you have to feature, but apparently it's "accepted" that the programs isn't too mono-stylistic. I'll ask about it at my next lesson, though.

Paysage works well there too, but I'm not quite as fond of it. I'd rather play Un Sospiro if I'm playing Liszt.

I can go under the time limit by 5 or 6 minutes, just not over. The issue is that the performing arts center management dislikes the piano division (which is odd because it's one of the best if not the best department here, at least for graduate studies), so when we give a recital they refuse to bend the hour-rule even slightly, since they have to pay stage techs by the hour. I don't know why we're required to have stage techs when all they do is open the door, turn on the lights, and pass out programs (which could just be placed at the entrance of the hall)... but that's another issue for another thread. 

Thanks again... looking forward to more suggestions if anyone has them.

- M

[donjuan]

I don't see why you only have to play etudes in the 2nd half.  If I were you, I would pick a favorite big work (15 - 20 min.) or 2 shorter works (~8 min. each), and cut out 2 or 3 Chopin etudes.
ah, maybe play un sospiro and barcarolle instead:

Mozart Sonata K. 310
Ravel Jeux D’eau
~ Intermission ~
Un sospiro
Barcarolle
Chopin 10-1, 10-4, 25-10, 25-11, 25-12