Audition repertoire for a graduate degree conservatory program -any comments plz

[cardinals]

I am going to set up the repertoire for master degree piano performance programs (U Cincinnati, NEC, Curtis, Indiana, U Michigan, U Texas, USC, and Florida State Univ.) Most of them require longer than 60 minute program composed of pieces with different categories (at least one Bach WTC P&F, one entire sonata from Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert, one substantial Romantic piece, and one contemporary or impressionist work)...

And some of them also include an etude (by Chopin, Liszt, Scriabin, and Rachmaninov) in the list...so I am thinking of preparing for the following pieces:

1) J. S. Bach: Well Tempered Clavier Book 2, No. 5 in D Prelude and Fuga BWV874
2) L. v. Beethoven: Sonata No. 26 in Eb Op. 81a (Les Adieux): All movements
3) F. Chopin: Etude Op. 25 No. 11 in a (Winter Wind)
4) F. Chopin: Scherzo No. 1 in b Op. 20
5) F. Liszt: Rigoletto Paraphrase
6) S. Prokofiev: Sonata No. 7 in Bb Op. 83: All movements

I am looking for any suggestions if you believe, based on difficulty level, contrasts in style, balance of musical / technical elements, etc, it will be even better if some of them are replaced with other ones. Any comments are welcome, so please let me know if you have any other idea...

[mike_lang]

I think that this is a great selection of repertoire for auditions - it may be too much, but this is not a bad problem to have.  If I were in your shoes, I would make a choice between the Chopin scherzo and the Liszt; I myself would use the Liszt.  The Liszt is a good opportunity to convey knowledge of opera and of orchestral sound (in addition to the inherent virtuosity).  Did you know that Rigoletto will be on the 2007-2008 opera season at IU?

Best,
Michael

[mike_lang]

Oops - my mistake; I didn't read your post entirely and now see that you need 60 minutes of music.  Good choices!

[sharon_f]

Nice program. Varied selection. Love the Beethoven, a very nice alternative to Op. 109 which seems to be the norm for grad auditions currently.

[walking_encyclopedia]

Excellent choice of Prokofiev. I have a recording of Alexander Toradze playing it, it is a great piece.

[dnephi]

It all depends on your individual strengths and weaknesses.  It seems good.  Everything but the Bach is a warhorse.

[pita bread]

That Bach P&F is overplayed. Maybe take a look at the g minor and f# minor from book two?

[desordre]

 Dear Cardinals:
 I would really like to attend to a recital with this program. Specially, if the pianist could handle it... 
 I'm only not sure about playing two works by Chopin. Of course that if you can play the first scherzo, you should play it; and if you need a study, that's a great choice. However, I have to ask: don't you have an etude-tableau in your pocket?
 Good luck to you!

[minor9th]

How about Shostakovich's 24th Prelude and Fugue? It's so powerful--and seemingly rarely played. Perhaps play 2-3 from the set instead of the Prokofiev.

[pita bread]

Eh, I don't think any of the Shosty P&F's pack anything near as much of a punch as the Prokofiev 7th.

[burstroman]

Sounds like a great program.  One can always think of other possiblities such as:  German Romantics (Schubert, Schumann, or Brahms), an American such as Griffes, or something from the French (Faure, Debussy, or Ravel).  I personally like Faure. Good luck1

[amanfang]

Can one really pick standard repertoire that is not "overplayed" anymore?  I think that whatever you can play well is fine - regardless of it's "pianistic popularity."  The faculty committee has surely heard it all - even those down the less beaten path anyway.

[cardinals]

I think that this is a great selection of repertoire for auditions - it may be too much, but this is not a bad problem to have.  If I were in your shoes, I would make a choice between the Chopin scherzo and the Liszt; I myself would use the Liszt.  The Liszt is a good opportunity to convey knowledge of opera and of orchestral sound (in addition to the inherent virtuosity).  Did you know that Rigoletto will be on the 2007-2008 opera season at IU?

Best,
Michael

I think it's even better to include some which I have learned before because it will be really timetaking to start the entire 60 minute program with wholly new stuffs...and there is only 8-9 months remaining till the audition dates...

So I am going to replace the Rigoletto Paraphrase with the Heroic Polonaise by F. Chopin...what do you think of this idea?