Competition choice - help please

[franz_]

Hi all,

I just wanted to know if it's a good choice to play this for a competition:

Sonata Haydn Eb Major, 1st mouv.
Chopin: Scherzo 1
Rachmaninoff: Etude Op. 39 Nr. 5

I'm in the category from 18 till 23 years, and they ask for a ouvement of a classical sonata, a romantic work, and a piece of free election. All may take max. 35 minutes.
Do you think it's a good choice? I'm afraid I will look stupid and other people will come with repertoire such as 2nd Rachmaninoff sonata and Mephisto Waltz...
i
Please let me know what you think, I don't really have experience in competitions

[amelialw]

that would be a great programme. the pieces are quite different and there will be a contrast between each on.

all the best to you
Amelia

[franz_]

Thank you very much. But is it not too short? Or is the level not 'to low' ?

[amelialw]

nope, it's fine 

[thierry13]

You will have to play over-perfectly with amazing interpretations with works like that against good mephisto waltzes and rachmaninoff 2nd sonata ... I hope you have at least near 30 minutes of stuff if not yes it's a bit short ... Seeing your program you hardly reach 20 minutes ... BUT, I wouldn't say you have any kind of good chances of winning, but I would go for it 100% ! Give the best of yourself, you will have great experience and greater motivation to perfect your pieces, it's a great occasion!

[rhapsody4]

The Chopin Scherzo is certainly a piece of a high enough standard which should be able to show off your technique if you can play it well. The other pieces certainly will provide plenty of variety, which is what is generally received well in competitions. Personally, I wouldn't worry about your selections - there may be the odd person that has an amazing repetoire of majorly difficult pieces but if you are comfortable with what you are playing then there shouldn't be a problem.

From my experience, a lot is about how you present yourself. If you look totally confident in what you are doing and that the stage is your own when you play, then you could almost play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and be taken seriously.

Good luck,

Rhapsody.

[steinway43]

I would use Beethoven Opus 57 or 81a and Chopin Scherzo no. 4 instead. And maybe use the Prokofieff Toccata instead of that particular Rachmaninoff Etude, more real variety that way.

[franz_]

Do you gonna study the Prokofiev toccata for me in this short time?

[pianochick93]

I have not yet been in a competition, but my piano teacher has been in many. She said to me: 'Don't worry too much about the level of your pieces, as the judges are only partly looking for the technical aspect of the performance. You could play a technically difficult piece perfectly, but without emotion, and some other person could play a piece a few grades lower than yours, with no mistakes, but with great feeling and soul, and they would win. Simply because they put their heart into the piece.'

She had this happen to her and was very annoyed at the time (she was 12 or so). Now she understands, and is trying to get me to.

[rallestar]

Here's my take:

I assume you picked those pieces because you feel comfortable playing them infront of an audience and at a competition, and if you picked pieces that are harder than that, it would lead to a worse performance.

First of all, the pieces you picked are to me very technically and musically demanding. They are by no means easy pieces, and you certainly shouldn't feel embarrased!

Secondly, you wonder if someone is going to play Mephisto waltz or a Rachmaninoff sonata - I don't know the competition, but in almost any competition, it's true that not the hardest piece wins, but the most well-played. A good Chopin scherzo beats a mediocre Rachmaninoff anytime.

It would be much more embarrasing to pass up this big chance to perform some great pieces. I think your programme looks very interesting.

In fact, I wonder why everything has to be so technically difficult these days, I mean, we're talking about these pieces like they're Bach menuets. It's a Rach etude and Chopin scherzo. Great music, and best of luck in the competition!