Audition Tape suggestions?

[Shagdac]

What all does a jury look for in a 15 minute audition tape?  I know they expect to see different styles and periods, but are there any hard and fast rules that always apply? For instance the minimum amount of pieces? Or the type, etc. I appreciate any advise you can offer.

Thank you.
Shag

[rosie]

What is the tape for? Many competitions or auditions tell you what type of pieces they are looking for. Just have some different styles, and give examples of lyrical and virtuoustic playing. Also, play what you are very good at, things that highlight your best abilites.

rosie

[donjuan]

The jury would look for something special.  Dont do something almost every other pianist can do.  If, for example, you play octaves really well, do Liszt- Hungarian Rhapsody 6.  If you can handle tricky fingering, try some of the more difficult Chopin Etudes like the Winter Wind, or OP.25 NO.5.
donjuan

[A.C.]

In my opinion, a Bach's Prelude and Fugue must be included. All of the major conservatories need one of those for entry auditions. The major reason is that the adjudicators can hear whether you can manage 3-4 voices at a time. It is also because you must include different period and style to perform.

Moreover, you should also choose a sonata to perform. Playing a sonata is the best way to show how much understanding you have in a particular composer. If it is within 15 minutes, you should choose the first movement or the first two movements of a sonata. Any Mozart, Haydn or Beethoven sonatas will do. This is for classical period.

At last, you can have a larger variety of choices. For example, romantic, impressionism and 20th century contemporary music. I suggest playing Chopin, Brahms, Debussy, Ravel or Prokofiev.

I've recently had a live audition for the undergraduate course of RCM and I got accepted for this september, it is also requiring 15 mins repetoire with different styles and periods. This is my programme:

1, Bach - Prelude and Fugue in G Book I
2, Beethoven - Sonata in Eb Op.27 No.1 (first 2 mvt.)
3, Prokofiev - March Op.12 No.1

Anyway, hope these may help. Good luck!