Etude requirement

[verywellmister]

I am entering a competition this fall and one requirement is an etude that best demonstrates my technique.  The rules limit it down to Chopin, Liszt, MacDowell, Moszkowski or Scriabin.

To give you an idea of my technique, heres (some of) my rep:
Beethoven Sonata op.2 no.2
Ravel Sonatine
Rachmaninoff Prelude Op.23 no.7
Shostakovich Prelude and Fugue in A
Ravel Concerto in G

Can you recommend some etudes by those composers that I am capable of?  Preferably nothing tougher than the Rach (which is really tough for me already).

Thanks.

[faustsaccomplice]

If you can play the Ravel Concerto, you can handle most of the etudes by these composers.  But it all depends, of course, on how well you want to play it. 

Look for this in an etude for a competition:

1. Nothing with risky parts, like Liszt a minor, with its jumps.
2. Nothing too ambitious, unless you can play the hell out of it NOW (not on speculation), like Feux Follets or Chopin thirds etude.  Whether the judges want to or not, you will be subconsciously compared to Richter, Levinne, etc.
3.  Nothing too revealing, like Chopin op. 10 no. 2.
4.  Nothing to hackneyed, Like Chopin op. 10 no. 12.
5.  Don't play Chopin op. 10 no. 4...you will be forgotten.
6.  Something you've played before and feel secure with, if possible.


A great competition etude is Liszt f minor.  It's the kind of piece that with practice, will always sound good.  It's not like Feux Follets, which you might never get, or Wild Jagd, which might defeat you.  It has everything...octaves, chords, arpeggios, poetry...  You get the chance to kick some ass when you play this piece, without running a high risk of embarassment, like you would in the Winter Wind etude.  But it's never a piece that is scoffed at, like op. 25 no. 1, or the slow Liszt etudes. 

I don't know the MacDowell etudes, and chances are, the judges won't either.  This works to the favor of mediocre interpretations, and to the detriment of good ones.  The Scriabin can be very hard, and the ones that stand out for competition use (aside from d# minor, which can be a good choice, if you are really good at chords and octaves), are far and few between.

Enough of my ramble.

I recommend Liszt f minor.
...unless you own a kickass etude already.

[pianote]

i think you're referring to his 10th transcendental etude and not his other
etude in f minor 'La Leggierezza'...right?

[superstition2]

C sharp minor, Op. 2 No. 1

-- not technically difficult, but exquisite if played with artistry. A favorite of Horowitz and audiences. Wistfully sad melody. Somewhat dark.

F sharp minor, Op. 8 No. 2

-- moderate, but would make a strong impression if played well. A favorite of Horowitz.

E, Op. 8 No. 5

-- not too tough. Play this if you want a bright optimistic sound.

G sharp minor, Op. 8 No. 9

-- a bit tough, and long at around 4 minutes. A Chopin-like piece, but punchier.

D flat, Op. 8 No. 10

-- moderate, definitely sounds like an etude. A fun piece.

B flat minor, Op. 8 No. 11

-- not too difficult because of the slow tempo. Beautiful wistfully sad melody.

D sharp minor, Op. 8 No. 12

-- moderate. Gorgeous. This is a Horowitz trademark, so you had better play it well.

F sharp, Op. 42 No. 4 Andante

-- not too difficult and has a pleasant melody.

F sharp, Op. 42 No. 5 Affanato

-- very tough, if you can play it well, it can be very impressive. A favorite of Scriabin and big pianists. This one doesn't have to be played as fast as most pianists play it.

F minor, Op. 42 No. 7

-- has a nice melody, but it's only 1 minute long. You probably would need to play another short one.

Op. 65 Nos. 1 and 3

-- tough, but if you can play either of them, they can be quite impressive.

[verywellmister]

I can't play the whole Ravel concerto (jus 1st mvt).

thanks for the suggestions. keep em coming

can i really be able to tackle TE10?

[franz_]

I can't play the whole Ravel concerto (jus 1st mvt).

thanks for the suggestions. keep em coming

can i really be able to tackle TE10?

Honnestly, I don't think so.
But my X teacher said, when I was 16 that I could have a look at it and learn it. May be it is easyer than it looks.

[dnephi]

To the above, Yes TE #10.

Now MacDowell has some absolutely splendid etudes. Opus 46 are his 12 virtuoso etudes.  #12 in that list has arpeggios of liszt octaves which are very impressive and difficult. 
#10 in the set is March Wind.  A blinding fluorish which demonstrates tons of your technique.  octaves, jumping, double notes, phrasing in spite of the "odd" construction.  When it reads "Prestissimo volante" it means very very fast...  It is a "safe" piece and so you need not worry much about hitting the notes, although all the notes must be even, except for the phrasing and the beat, which is hard to do with double notes and changing of hands.

And personally, I would do something that you know you can do well.  Liszt TE #10 has lots of jumps and things of that sort.  You must be aboslutely dead on.  I consider it equal to the Mazeppa or at least near it, musically.  It is very emotional and heroic and definitely showcases the pinnacles of virtuosity.  But it's very difficult and it's a bit late to try to learn it for a fall competition.  And you might not be ready to play it.

Liszt TE #4 is one of my favorite pieces of all time.  6 octaves of straight Liszt octaves is an excellent place to demonstrate knowledge of the keyboard, jumping ability (Check out those sick jumps!), expression (express the melody in spite of the 16th notes), independence, and the crazy technique level required to pull off all those.  The hardest part isn't the octaves or arpeggios of chords.  The hardest part is the main theme.  First time it challenges left hand to do jumps, 2nd time it's the right hand's turn.  4th time it is very difficult to move the hands that fast to keep the theme going with only two beats to each part of the theme. 

On the whole, it is a very difficult piece.  But after humbly, patiently practicing it (without pedal, slowly, with exactness) for a few months, I have gained the technique to perform it, and I just have to learn and memorize the last parts.   This etude of transcendental execution has actually developed "transcendental execution" or "transcendental technique."  The freedom in my hands, the great accuracy in jumps, especially jumps landing on octaves, the familiarity with the keyboard. 

I believe that after I finish TE #4 and learn TE #10 I will feel a similarly grand improvement in my technique and I will have another incredible piece in my repertoire.

For you, it's too late to try to learn either of these if it's a fall competition.  March wind would be a great bet.  It looks and sounds a lot harder than it is.  Chopin's Op. 25 #11 is a splendid etude, very impassioned.    Jumps in one 1/6th of a second of more than an octave is pretty neat.  A good etude, I might add.  Good luck, I hope you do well.

And, if only Alkan was allowed, you could do OP. 39 #7 for it.  That has incredible showcase ability for chord execution.  For later, of course.  Good Etude. .

Pardon the long post.

[franz_]

Could anyone post sum music of Macdowell?

[allthumbs]

Could anyone post sum music of Macdowell?

I have a fair amount. I don't know what you are looking for, but here are a few files.

Enjoy


Cheers

allthumbs

EDIT: Sorry, I tried to post some pdf files for you, but I received the following error message from Piano Street.

"The attachments upload directory is not writable. Your attachment or avatar cannot be saved."

E-mail me and I'll send them directly to you. 

[faustsaccomplice]

I can't play the whole Ravel concerto (jus 1st mvt).

thanks for the suggestions. keep em coming

can i really be able to tackle TE10?

I don't know how well you play, obviously.  But in my experience TE no 10 is something that works itself out with practice.  It is true, as it has been said, that there are some accuracy issues in the piece, but they are all manageable with practice.  It is a very rewarding piece, and never fails to win an audience when played well.  It sounds good at  many different tempi, too.  I think that this would be your best bet.  The interlocking chords at the beginning are a pain in the ass, but when you give it your all in a performance, they will sound good. 

I'll tell you candidly, that the MacDowell etudes, unless you're prepared to provide a revalation in one of them, would be less wise.  This has nothing to do with their musical content or worth, but only as a competition piece. 

[pooguy77]

MacDowell Etudes are amazing. BUT: be sure to choose from The 12 Virtoustic Etudes, Op. 46, not the easier set of 12. My suggestion would be the March Wind, No. 10 which is absolutely stunning, vivid, fast, and a good level with your repertoire. (Plus the judes are not going to be rolling their eyes when they here another OK performance of a Chopin Etude!)

If you don't like that one, I suggest:

No. 12 Polonaise
No. 5 Elfentanz
OR
Etude de Concert, Op. 36

[phil13]

Out of Scriabin's etudes, the ones that I believe will show off your technique best:

Op.8 No.2 in F#-

Op.8 No.6 in A (if sixths is your thing)

Op.8 No.7 in Bb- (but you gotta play this Magaloff-fast if you do)

Op.8 No.9 in G#-

Op.8 No.12 in D#-

Op.42 No.1 in Db

Op.42 No.5 in C#-

Op.42 No.8 in Eb

Op.65 No.1 (my teacher thinks this is actually the most difficult one)

Good luck!

Phil

[franz_]

Out of Scriabin's etudes, the ones that I believe will show off your technique best:
Op.8 No.7 in Bb- (but you gotta play this Magaloff-fast if you do)

I have a disc where Magaloff plays all the scriabin etudes, and I find it disguisting. Never heard such an antiromanitic and dry interpretation.

[phil13]

I have a disc where Magaloff plays all the scriabin etudes, and I find it disguisting. Never heard such an antiromanitic and dry interpretation.

I'm not saying it needs to be as dry as Magaloff plays it, I said it needs to be as fast as Magaloff plays it.

Sorry, but for me the piece just seems to drag at q=132 (M.M. in Dover score), especially in the middle section (though in the recording Magaloff could have stood to decrease the tempo a litte there.)

It just does not seem quick enough for a work marked "Presto tenebroso, agitato."

Phil

Phil

[chromatickler]

Chopin's Op. 25 #11 is a splendid etude, very impassioned.    Jumps in one 1/6th of a second of more than an octave is pretty neat.

i believe this etude should be played slightly faster than 6 notes per second

[dnephi]

i believe this etude should be played slightly faster than 6 notes per second

I think I messed up the order of my words.  I meant that in reference to the Alkan Symphony Finale, in the left hand.  Going at (whole note-96) and you have a quarter note to jump more than 10 notes.  (Octave to octave).  I did a fair amount of editing on that post.

[verywellmister]

Do you think the Liszt Etude Op.1 no.10 (first version of TE10) is a good etude for competiion?

[shoenberg3]

I am entering a competition this fall and one requirement is an etude that best demonstrates my technique.  The rules limit it down to Chopin, Liszt, MacDowell, Moszkowski or Scriabin.

To give you an idea of my technique, heres (some of) my rep:
Beethoven Sonata op.2 no.2
Ravel Sonatine
Rachmaninoff Prelude Op.23 no.7
Shostakovich Prelude and Fugue in A
Ravel Concerto in G

Can you recommend some etudes by those composers that I am capable of?  Preferably nothing tougher than the Rach (which is really tough for me already).

Thanks.

The VW competition, eh?
Good luck, I will possibly compete against you, depending on your age.

edit: You are 14? I guess we will meet

[verywellmister]

I will be 15 on the day of the competition
Yes the VW.

I'm not sure if I will even do it, let alone make it.  it'll be my first time. and i kinda suck...
ah, but a chance to meet another piano forumer is tempting.
Have you done it before?

I shouldnt have posted my rep. now u know what i'll play.

[super666lucifer]

hey, if you can play things like that then you certainly do not suck. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself lol

[shoenberg3]

I will be 15 on the day of the competition
Yes the VW.

I'm not sure if I will even do it, let alone make it.  it'll be my first time. and i kinda suck...
ah, but a chance to meet another piano forumer is tempting.
Have you done it before?

I shouldnt have posted my rep. now u know what i'll play.

No I haven't tried VW before. I am pretty sure the screening won't be that rigorous; we will at least meet for sure.

[verywellmister]

No I haven't tried VW before. I am pretty sure the screening won't be that rigorous; we will at least meet for sure.

provided i can get the concerto and shostakovich ready in time.

[shoenberg3]

provided i can get the concerto and shostakovich ready in time.

What might you be playing on the actual 45 min round? My predictions for my repertoire is on the thread just below this one.

[franz_]

What might you be playing on the actual 45 min round? My predictions for my repertoire is on the thread just below this one.

What is your programm shoenberg3?

[dnephi]

What is your programm shoenberg3?

He is playing Messaien.  It contrasts with his tonal music, making it seem much more beautiful by comparison.

[shoenberg3]

He is playing Messaien.  It contrasts with his tonal music, making it seem much more beautiful by comparison.

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[dnephi]

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Yea.  .  It was a poke of fun at it.  Don't take it too seriously.

[discturtle]

I playd Macdowell's Op 46 no 2. I didn't like the piece, but needed the etude. This sounds weird, but unless you have a really really nice piano that sounds good all the way up to the top registers, I wouldn't play it. On many pianos (cheaper ones) it just hurts your eardrums to hear the 8va-- sections pounding away at fff. Ugh! Not terribly difficult, though. Are you doing the California CM program? If so, what level? Peek around on iTunes for some music so you can hear what the songs sound like. I like Macdowell's Op 46 numbers VII and VIII.

[dnephi]

You just gotta see March Wind. 

How do I make a video?  I want to show you guys March Wind at the speed of death.