For a Recital

[swim4ever_22]

My instructor is going to have her students play in a recital in May. She wanted me to start thinking about choices for recital pieces. I can play for no more than eight minutes total. Here are some of my ideas:

Cantabile in B flat -- Chopin
Sonatina Op. 36 No. 3 -- Clementi
Prelude Op. 28 No. 13 -- Chopin

or

Trois Gymnopedies 1 - 3 -- Satie

or

Consolation No. 1 or 3 -- Liszt
Sonatina No. 5 in G -- Beethoven



What do you guys think?

[la mineur]

I think the first list is the best ;

[rhapsody4]

Depends who you are playing for. However, IMHO, I would find the whole set of Satie pretty dull. Either of the other two seem good to me.

[ronaldh]

I would probably go with the first list, or the third. It provides a more contrast than the Satir Gymnopedies and would likely to hold the attention of the audience more (agian..depends on audience).

[gerryjay]

hey swimmer!

may i propose a fourth list? i think you´d go better with three contrasting colors (instead of one or two). collective recitals are made of contrasts, and for your own development, that would not be a bad idea.

so, my idea is that (backwards):

- finish with your most brilliant and confident piece (beethoven could play this role, or clementi, or even another piece you have on your belt);
- then, place a satie second (those pieces are very contemplative, and will provide an interesting breath in your performance). but only one! what rhapsody wrote is quite true: satie´s works played one after another rarely make a good set;
-well, choose a third color to start with (i would go with liszt´s 3rd or chopin´s prelude).

best regards! and very good luck!

[swim4ever_22]

From my understanding... to have the greatest affect on your audience, it's best to have works in your recital that vary in tempo and mood, as many of you have suggested. Personally, the one that I would like to do the most is the first one: Prelude, Cementi, Cantabile.

I would also think it'd be best to do it in that order. The Prelude is slow, meloncholic and thoughtful. The  Clementi Sonatina is upbeat and energetic. Ending with the Cantabile is what I really want to do. It's slow and peaceful, and would add a nice touch. Just my thoughts.

[hwangs]

Hey swimmer

I hope you dont mind but I took a quick glance at your blog-- and I think it's great that you have such a joy in learning piano and you're really following through with it.

Anyway, as for your program... hmmm. I guess if I were you, I would definitely start with the Chopin Cantabile or Prelude, move on to the Clementi, and I would end with Satie's 1st Gymnopedie. That way, you play your own encore piece! :-P

I based this suggestion on the way many recitals are organized: begins with Prelude of some sort (or Bach), then moves on to a classical Sonata, and then to whatever virtuostic/contemplative piece you want, I guess. I'm sure whatever way you do it, you'll do great. Good luck!

[swim4ever_22]

Hey. Thanks. I'm going to bring up many of these options during my next lesson, and see what my teacher thinks, but from the sounds of it, the Cantabile and Prelude are definitely near the top of the list.