Repertoire

[russda_man]

Hi, I'm going to learn some new repertoire for a concert. The concert will be an hour long (half hour, interval, half hour). I have Beethoven Appassionata for second half. I am trying to think of what pieces should go in the first half. I am also trying to extend my repertoire, and build up my technique, as I am going to study at the Royal Northern College of Music (postgrad) in September, so I need fairly difficult pieces, but a well balanced program. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Russ.

[chopinfan_22]

Well-Balanced is Key.... umm... In most concerts or recitals that I have gone to, they usually cover all the periods of music, so... a couple of Baroque pieces by Bach or Scarlatti, etc. There is typically a sonata or two, depending on the length of the other pieces. If you know the entire Appassionatta Sonata then that will suffice. For Classical, you could do any number of Haydn or Mozart's works, even Clementi, depending on how difficult you have to be. Romantic Era... Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, Schubert... they wrote a number of difficult pieces. Lastly is impressionistic/contemporary... this is when you start to see the Rachmaninov, Ravel, Debussy, even Scott Joplin or other ragtime/jazz compositions. It's all up to you. A rough sketch of a program would look like this:

2 Part Invention No. 13 -- Bach
Sonata. L.58 -- Scarlatti
Fantasia in D, K. 397 -- Mozart
Traumerei for Kinderzcenen -- Schumann
Etude Op. 10 No. 4 -- Chopin
Ballade Op. 47 -- Chopin

Intermission

Gnomenreigen -- Liszt
Appasionnata -- Beethoven
Prelude No. 5 in G Minor -- Rachmaninov
Clair de Lune -- Debussy
Ondine from Gaspard de la Nuit -- Ravel
Kitten on the Keys -- Zez Confrey
3 Preludes -- Gershwin

Encore: La Campanella/Un Sospiro -- Liszt, or a Chopin Etude



There are numerous things that you can do. This is just a rushed list. In recitals, you want plenty of variety. Don't go too heavy on any one composer. Also mix it up a little between fast/upbeat pieces, and slower, more tranquil ones. Hope this helps.

[russda_man]

Yes this is very helpful. I do think that scarlatti is always a good starter for a concert. Or Bach. Gershwin preludes are great pieces. Thanks again.
Russ.

[slobone]

Can I make a suggestion? If your program is only an hour long, leave out the intermission. Your audience will be grateful...