Audition Preparation

[netzow]

I am trying to assemble a list of Pieces to learn over the next (roughly) Two years that will consist of my audition pieces for a BM in Performance. I have been all over the sight searching and have come up with what seemed to be some good pieces to learn.  The Idea I had was to Have two sets of pieces Easier ones that could be used as back ups and Harder ones which I would use If I could master them to the point needed. i.e I would use the harder ones if I had them "up to par" so to speak but I would have Easier pieces to fall back on. Some of these Pieces (as indicated) are really just pieces I like and I have no Idea (hence the thread) if they would be the sort of thing I should be playing. I also have some group works of lesser (mostly lesser) difficulty that I would like to learn not all of the pieces in the works but as many as I have time for to supplement the harder pieces. The Only pieces that are not changable are The C minor Prelude and Fuge and The Op. 13 Sonata, I am already working on those. So let me know what you all think Good pieces Bad pieces. What you would change or leave out. Which ones you would pick, coments on the pieces. ect........ Thanks.

Prelude and Fuge Bk. 1 II C minor, III C Sharp, 17A Flat, 19 A

I probably wouldn't learn all of these. III in C sharp is the hardest one and Is the one I would most likely not play for auditions as I doubt that I could play it to the standard Required. I am very open to other Suggestions and replacements please make them from book I. Cminor is the Back up

Beethoven Sonata Op. 13 Op. 7 Op. 28

Op. 13 is the back up (overplayed and Easier than the other two but I am confident that I can play it well therefore I would prefer one of the other two.) Op. 7 seemed to be a good audition piece.

Ginestera Danzes Argentinas
The middle movement was what I was thinking of as a contrast from A P+F and Sonata. BTW Req. =
F+F
One Movement of a Classical Sonata
Contrasting Romantic or 20th Century Piece

Chopin Polonase Op. 26 No. 1
Unsure about this one Opinions on if it would be good. Replacement?
Mussorgsky Great Gate Of Kiev
Really unsure About this one More or  less just a piece I like
Debbusy Prelude The Sunken Cathedral
Ditto

I only need one other piece besides the Sonata movement and P+F. I seem to be finding that the most important is the P+F. However I want to try to learn multiple pieces from each Era So I can pick one I play well not just play a pre-determined piece and be forced to play it even if that perticular piece gives me trouble. 

I was thinking For A Program Trying to be realistic  i.e probably won't play the C# Prelude and Fuge
P+F 19
Beethoven Sonata Op. 7
Danzes Argentinas middle movement


Grouped Works
Bach Inventions
Chopin Preludes
Heller Etudes Op. 45 46 125

Not sure Which Heller Etude Opus to pick Help?

Thanks Again.

[sharon_f]

In reading your post a few thoughts came up and I don't mean to sound disparaging.

Most major university/conservatories are looking for a certain amount of technical proficiency for undergrads seeking a degree in piano performance. If you are going to have an etude, it should not be Heller. It should be Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin or Moszkowski. If you are not at that level, I would at least do a Czerny Op. 740 or a Cramer study.

I think the Op. 7 is terrific choice, but I hope you are aware that this is one of the most difficult of the sonatas. Which movement were you considering?  Don't do the Pathetique, it is way overplayed, unless you can bring something new to the piece.

The Ginastera is a nice choice as a contrasting piece. As far as Bach, I would do the A-flat or A before the C minor P & F. It is also overplayed.

Were there specific schools you are planning to apply to?

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

Sorry to ask this in a wrong thread, but what grades do Heller etudes bear?

[netzow]

This might tell you something about the Heller Etudes https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,10505.0.html
I wasn't  thinking of using the a Heller Etude to audition with. I was planning to use an opus to learn some of the works from as supplamentary material to the audition pieces. Sorry if I wasn't clear.
What would be some easier Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin or Moszkowski. Etudes? I'm not sure if I would use one but I would look into it.
I am aware that Op. 7 is very difficult I was looking at it as a piece that if I started it soon I could work on and have mastered in two years. (I  would not  be working on it all the time just playing it enough to keep it in decent playing shape once I get it  learned ready to polish  and bring  back for auditions ) I was hoping It would be the type of piece that if played well would make a good impression and stand out. 
I would only play Op. 13 if I couldn't master Op.7 Or Op. 28  Just Have it as a last ditch back up.
I was thinking that Ginastera would be a good piece to contrast. A more melodic Soothing piece after The P+F and The Sonata.
The principle of only If I need to apply's to the C minor P+F.
I am at this time planing to apply to: The Wheaton College Conservatory, The Houghton College Greatbach School of Music (These are my top choices if these fall through I hope to get into) The University of Maine or Covenant College. Wheaton and Houghton are fairly small (200, 125 Music Majors Respectivly.) Private Schools UM  is about 45 min away and would be the best option from a financial standpoint.
Let Me Know what you think Thanks!

[netzow]

After some thought I decided to modify things and Cut down the number of pieces with the hope of leaving room for other things.  The Sonatas Listed I was thinking of playing the first movement. I am not sure if I would learn the whole thing or not. I have two years but I want to master what I play. I picked two pieces from each catagory that I need. (Bach Prelude and Fuge, Allegro Classical Sonata movement, Contrasting Piece)


Prelude and Fuge 9 or 10
Beethoven Sonata Opus 10 No. 1
Ginsetera Danzes Argentinas Middle Movement
Prelude and Fuge No. 17
Beethoven Sonata Opus 7
A Chopin Prelude that Contrasts Well

Some Bach Inventions
Some Chopin Preludes

     What I would like to know is:
1. How do the Prelude and fuges I have above look. Specifically if you could get rid of one which one would it be I only really want two so I have an option.
2. How hard is The Opus 7 Sonata I realize that it is hard but would like to now just how hard before I jump in. How does it compare to The Opus 13 Sonata?
3. Is the Opus 10 No. 1 Sonata Over played. And if so could anyone suggest another Sonata of relativly simaler difficulty to put in its place
4. Any Ideas for a Chopin Prelude or Suggestions for a Contrasting piece that goes well with the other pieces?
5. If I were to determine that Opus 7 was too hard I was thinking of Replacing it with Pastorale. Is this A decent Sonata to replace it with?