Need comments on audition material

[cygnusdei]

Hi guys, newbie here. This is a great site guys, keep it up!

I'm auditioning for graduate program in piano performance (MM). Actually I'm probably only half serious, as I don't have any music degrees. I do however have pretty good training and performance experience.

My audition requirement calls for 45 minutes of memorized music. Thinking that the 45 minutes would be the minimum, I ended up choosing pieces with length as the most important factor (in order to meet the minimum). However, after perusing some auditions threads on this site, it seems pretty sure that the jury will not let you play the whole program, e.g. they will stop you halfway or even ask you to start from the middle (am I right ?). Now here's the kicker: I don't even have to present the repertoire list until the time of audition (I asked the admission assistant). Is this normal policy? My question is, how rigid is the time requirement, considering we'll only play bits and pieces? If I knew this, I could have chosen pieces that I like more, instead of longer ones.

Anyway, here is my material as of now:
Bach Prelude & Fugue in A, WTC I
Beethoven Sonata op. 53
Chopin Ballade op. 52
Debussy Reflets dans l'eau

This will ring just about 45 minutes.

Thanks for the input guys ......

[pianistimo]

seems that auditions vary from school to school.  at west chester - i played only excerpts of each piece - and when playing my beethoven (the waldstein) almost missed the cue to stop and went on going.  you can be sure -though - that unless you are already very very good - that they will not want to torture themselves by what they would like to say to improve whatever deficits you might have at the audition and are simply determining which teacher will best suit you.

if you know that you kinda want one particular teacher - let it me known!  go and visit that teacher and actually tell them you want to study with them.  as you get older - you get bolder.  the thing is - for me - i didn't know anyone from 'jack' and was quite delighted to get the best looking one.  although - after having taken a class from other professor (who is quite charming as well) i found out each are equally gifted in their abilities to teach.  in fact, the older with more experience is probably the most efficacious - although he was kinda funny with a little bit of forgetfulness that endeared me to him. 

not ever having experienced grad level piano - i was so 'frozen' at the first few lessons.  trying to impeccably hear and do.  but, really - at some point you have to stop adulating the person and just do your best.  they are all genius level and there's really no point in trying to 'pull one over.'  one thing i found out right away...don't try to joke a lot.  it's pointless. if you are wanting to impress - pratice.  be extremely serious.  and, interact as much as possible to get your money's worth.  bug them.  call them a lot.  ask questions.  i mean - you're paying for it.  make sure you have time to follow through.  i'd say at least three hours per day of practice.  i was lucky to get one or two at the time.

[cygnusdei]

It's 3 weeks left before my audition - I'm getting more comfortable with the memorization, and there is a pretty good chance I could pull off a decent one.  Now given my list of pieces (post #1), can anyone guess which bits they will ask me to play? For example, would they listen through the whole 2nd movement of the Waldstein? I'm also apprehensive of not knowing the exact passage if they ask me to play a piece from the middle. Any other inputs???

[pianowelsh]

id seriously go for a pin the tail on the donkey approach. Practice picking up in random places and recording yourself from there and see how long it takes you to get into the mood of each pick up. reduce it so there isnt a single wasted note as you find your place. They could in theory ask you to go form anywhere. I know of an audition where someone was asked to play just the coda of Ballade 4 from the soft chords - no run in - not nice! so set yourself extreme challenges.

[desordre]

 Dear Cygnus:
 I agree with Mr. Welsh: you must be prepared to play your repertory in any random possible way. Normally, we are very confortable to play it in a particular order, constructing great archs of meaning (to a recital, for instance). An audition is something quite different.
 About what specific parts...well, it's impossible to say. Anyway, it is rather unusual the request of a complete slow movement.
 It may sound obvious, but I'll say it anyway: a good audition is about balance. Your repertory have a significant technique display by itself, so don't mind of "show" it. In the other hand, you have music of deep expression: use your creativeness to lead the path but don't get loose (nor too much original, because sometimes it is misunderstood).
 One last word: it is a tense situation. It's very possible that you will make a mistake or two. Just don't mind and go over them. Of course that the jury would not appreciate a interpreation with lots of errors, but an audition is not about flawless pieces. Yes, if you achieve that without restraining yourself, it's very good. But I just say that because often people get freak when that happens, and ruin the whole thing.
 My most sincere "Best wishes!" to you!