Choosing a romantic piece for undergraduate audition

[ichiru]

I'd like to choose an appropriate romantic piece for an audition. I'm actually considering Schubert impromptu Op. 90 no. 1 since I've been working with that for a few months now. But I'm kinda not sure about it because I'm not really good playing the repeated notes there.

Feel free to give suggestion or anything. Or if any of you have special trick to deal with playing repeated notes, please help me with this

Thank you!!!

[phil13]

Give us some idea of your technical and musical level so that we may make appropriate suggestions. 

Phil

[kriskicksass]

Most conservatories list Schubert under their Classical requirement, so that Impromptu wouldn't work.

[cloches_de_geneve]

Schubert is generally classified as classical indeed. What else do you have in stock (Schumann, Chopin, LIszt, Brahms, Mendelssohn...?)

[ichiru]

So, schubert is under classical? duh...

Basically my technic is rather average. Not really good in playing long repeated notes, my left hand fingering is not so even either. I'm quite good at playing hemiola (I played Liszt La Legierezza and Fantaisie Impromptu) but I'm lacking of stamina and I couldn't really make a wide dynamic contrast (since I practiced in digital piano for almost 6 years. I got a real piano around 1 1/2 years ago). Other than that... I played Rondo Capriciosso before... but it's really a long time ago

I rarely play Chopin. The only Chopin's piece I've ever played is only Fantaisie Impromptu and and one of the Waltz. Though, Chopin's is one of the major composer in Romantic period, right?

[cloches_de_geneve]

Here is what I would do. Call-up the organizers of the audition and ask them if it would be ok to play Schubert. Perhaps it's ok. If so you can stay with the Schubert. Otherwsie, if you can bring Legierezza back to life, that's the one I would pick. But if you not sure that you're really mastering it, then go for Rondo Capricioso. Whatever you have played once, even if it was 20 years ago, will come back quickly.

[ichiru]

The problem is La Leggierezza is an etude, tho coming from romantic period. And this conservatory clearly said not to play an etude in romantic period because it asks one etude already... I've been trying to study Chopin's grande valse op. 42. What do you think about that? I don't know if it's hard because the notes are simply circling at the same pattern, but I don't know about the musical content yet... Any idea?

[rhapsody in orange]

I would agree that Chopin does compose for a wide range of levels. Maybe some of his nocturnes or mazurkas?

[el nino]

techicaly you are surely able to play the valse

[ramseytheii]

I recommend a transcription of Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance," that way they know you are serious and are looking ahead.

Walter Ramsey

[pianowelsh]

No idea what else your playing or where your auditioning for - so its really a stab in the dark. I would suggest if your technical level is average and not uber advanced that something like Aufschwung for the fantasiestucke of Schumann might be a good piece for you - it sounds more impressive than it is its a usefull piece of reperotoire and its not Chopin so it instantly doubles your chances of success.  there is more debate over Chopin interpretation with conservatoire proffs than anything else so why play into the fire. Another option might be Dueto or something like that from the Mendelssohn songs without words - they are very tunefull - undeniably romantic works..they'll give your fingers a bit of a workout - which is never a bad thing and again most sound more difficult than they indeed are.  I suggest you have a look at a few of the major diploma boards ABRSM TRINITYGUILDHALL ARC etc and see what pieces they set for their entry level diploma and avoid the most famous pieces generally is good advice for college auditions. Still it must be something you enjoy to play because ultimately if they do their job properly and impartially they are marking you and your potential to be a performer NOT the piece! but all to often this is not the case so be warned you can be refused entry and it really have nothing to do with you!!

[soliloquy]

Going from least to most difficult; choose the one that you think you're at the level of:


1- Mendelssohn Fantasy
2- Brahms Fantasien Op. 116
3- Chopin Scherzo No. 4
4- Liszt Ballade No. 2
5- Chopin Ballade No. 1
6- Wagner-Liszt Overture to "Tannhauser"

[opus10no2]

Chopin Scherzo 4 is harder than Ballade 1, depending on speed of course.

[soliloquy]

Chopin Scherzo 4 is harder than Ballade 1, depending on speed of course.

......................................................... I am trying really hard to avoid confrontations with you, but this is pushing it.

[opus10no2]

Push it deeper, hon.

Play the pieces and you'll find out.

First of all - the Scherzo is longer , and it has more fast runs.

Ballade no1 is famous for the difficulty of the PCF section, which entirely depends upon the speed with which it's taken.

[soliloquy]

Push it deeper, hon.

You couldn't handle it   Now please stop being rude by throwing someone's thread requesting help off topic.

[opus10no2]

Right, well in this situation I'd plat some Alkan, Scriabin, Godowsky or Medtner, but we can't all be an Hamelin.

As a specific choice - I'd  suggest Scriabin Impromptu in Bb Minor.

[ramseytheii]

but we can't all be an Hamelin.

I love your grammar!

Walter Ramsey

[opus10no2]

I love her too. 

[pianowelsh]

I SHOULD SAY in the light of some rather ridiculous suggestions including Scherzo 4 and works by Godowsky and Medtner. That potential undergraduates often shoot themselves in the foot by thinking the panel want the hardest pieces by a certain composer. this is nothing like what is actually the case! A panel are looking for a fully assured performance, demonstrating fine technique, an abundance of musicality, understanding of the text and where appropriate an understanding of the conventions surrounding the works composition. BUT most of all they look for performance potential in the individual. If you can go out and play a simple piece as if your giving a carnegie hall recital then you have a place. The difficulty of the programme means absolutely nothing if you cant deliver on every level. I wouldnt try and choose anything too long or overly profound because realistically at undergraduate level they are not expecting you to be playing the most difficult works perfectly - thats why you go to college! Play things that are actually a bit further back from you current technical level and ensure that you can play them to as professional a standard as possible. If you impress them on your commitment to the perrormance and your overall polish and presentation..then you are liekly to be awarded a place. If you scrape your way through Liszt Mephisto or something they will be sitting with their heads in their hands thinking ~*"#! not another one. I know because Ive spoken to HOD's when they have come out of the audition room. They get fed up of listening to mediocrity. You will impress them far more if you balance your programme well and play with total conviction and QUALITY. you need to discuss this with your teacher.  They may even know the specific likes and dislikes of those who will be auditioning you (its a small world).

Whatever you play do you best. I hope you have a VERY successful audition and get the place you really want.

[molto-marcato]

I strongly second pianowelsh's statement. This does not only apply to this special topic but is very general indeed. I'd rather enjoy a fantastic, beatiful performance of für Elise than a mediocre version of a Hungarian Rhapsody. Good post.

[burstroman]

An underplayed work worthy of attention is Brahms, Op 4 Scherzo in e-flat minor.

[opus10no2]

An underplayed work worthy of attention is Brahms, Op 4 Scherzo in e-flat minor.

Concur! Love this piece, Katchen plays it like a beast.

[pianowelsh]

Check and see whether the school your applying to had a brahmns feind on the faculty. If they do its well worth taking a consultation lesson with them before you audition and get there comments - this could swing it in your favour then when it comes to the audition.

[brahms4me]

I've heard some auditions of this type and I am always looking for someone who is musical, knows the music and is not thrown off by the technical aspects, and how controlled the pianist is.  Choose something you're comfortable with and play it from the heart.  We pianists have such a vast treasure trove to choose from.  I'd rather hear a Chopin waltz or mazurka played beautifully and musically rather than a less than mediocre redition of a Ballade or Lizst composition.  Don't try to be too show-offy (if there is such a word).  Once you get into the program you can settle in and choose more difficult repertoire.  Remember:  the goal is to get ACCEPTED.