Audition Pieces

[popdog]

G'day everyone

This would have to be about the most common question on the forum, and I will search/research extensively, but I just thought I would ask as well.   I am applying for a BMus at the University of Melbourne starting 2009, and obviously need to get an audition ready.  This is the criteria they give:

All applicants are asked to prepare three pieces demonstrating their skill on the instrument they wish to study.  The pieces should be of contrasting style, period and composer and the audition program should be no longer than 20 minutes. Works should be chosen from the classical repertoire (not contemporary popular or jazz). A sample program might include works from the Baroque, Romantic and Twentieth Century repertoires.  Applicants should note that the audition panel will only hear about 15 minutes of selected repertoire and may
also ask for a demonstration of technical work (scales, arpeggios, etc).

I'm pretty sure it's a Grade 7 AMEB standard minimum.  Here is a program I played about 2 years ago now, haven't played most of them since because I never really liked the pieces that much, I didn't choose them. 

- Bach: Prelude, Bb major, Book 1, no. 22. 
- Mozart: 1st Movement, Sonata, F major, K332.
- Albeniz: Malaguena, Op. 165, no. 3
- Mendelssohn: Song without words, Op. 209, no. 3
- Bartok: Sonatina
- Norton: Prelude VII, Latin preludes

Baroque: Bach P&F is an obvious choice, but they're probably sick to death hearing them in auditions by now.  Have learnt the prelude to no. 21 Bk.I, and about half of the prelude no. 12 Bk. 2.  Would need to go for about 6-7 (20 mins/3 pieces)minutes I guess.

Romantic:  A piece of about Grade 8 level.  Again, about 6-7 minutes.  I'm sure there are hundreds of pieces which fit the bill but I can't think of many.  I'll come back when I think of some and see what people think. 

20th Century:  This is probably what I need the most help with.  I might not necessarily need a 20th century piece, but it would probably be good to have one to balance the program a little more. 

I tend to prefer pieces in the minor key, but am open to any considerations.  Auditions are in November, which isn't a problem since I'm usually a fast learner. 

Any help greatly appreciated,

popdog.

[eddie54]

well, in general most music schools hear the same stuff all the time when it comes to audition materials.....here are some alternatives that I would suggest.....

for Baroque.....you could try some Scarlatti sonatas.....most people choose Bach WTC because it shows control and technique within a very short piece.....and Bach is pretty easy to learn for these style of auditions....since you're stuck with a time restraint, they require one of these pieces just to show you got some chops and don't have messy technique....you could try the Italian Concerto 3rd movement as a nice baroque piece......

for Romantic, you have many many options....I would choose something for the lyricism to show yourself as an artist, yet is difficult enough to show technique again....for my audtion tape, I chose Chopin Ballade no 1......others i'd recommend would be maybe some Brahms (rhapsodies, klavierstucke, etc), chopin (scherzo, polonaises, one of the longer nocturnes, or even a set of mazurkas) and maybe mendelssohn (fantasie in f minor)......

for 20th century, you want learn something that you enjoy, since it will help you get through the pieces....off of the top of my head, i would recommend Katchaturian Tocatta....i think Debussy counts to certain extent,  Scriabin, and maybe Griffes Scherzo.....

of course, I'm not really suggesting all the pieces that are obvious choices, etc.....and what are you playing currently, since you stated that the songs mentioned before are from 2 years ago.....good luck!

[arthur]

I'll start saying that this is just my opinion, you should learn something you love! (and something you can play obviously :p)

You could learn Bach's capriccio on the departure of the most beloved brother (capriccio sopra la lontananza del suo fratello dilettissimo) (about 11 min.)

and, what about Brahms ballades op.10? I would choose the third one, it has virtuosity and lyricism. (about 3 or 4 minutes)

for 20th century I would choose Bartók suite op.14 (10 minutes i think, you could play just one part)

what do you think?

[slobone]

I would say, play to your strength. Do pieces that you already know, that you feel you did really well on. After all, they're only interested in how well you play, not in how many esoteric pieces you're familiar with. Why spend the summer learning 3 new pieces when you could just polish ones you already know?

You say you learned those pieces 2 years ago. What have you done since then? It might be a little easier if you didn't have to dig all 3 pieces out of cold storage.

The disadvantage with over-familiar pieces isn't that they'll be bored, it's that they'll have heard so many performances of them that it'll be hard for you to make an impression.

But the disadvantage of a piece they've never heard is that they may not appreciate the finer points of your performance.

So I would say do things by major composers, but not from the Top 100 list.

[arthur]

eddie54, I forgot to quote you in my first post, sorry.
it's OK with Scarlatti sonatas and Bach's P&F but Chopin ballades/polonaises? Brahms rhapsodies? Scriabin? isn't this a bit advanced for him?

I would say, play to your strength. Do pieces that you already know, that you feel you did really well on. After all, they're only interested in how well you play, not in how many esoteric pieces you're familiar with. Why spend the summer learning 3 new pieces when you could just polish ones you already know?

I'm agree with this, although I think that the challenge of learning something new makes the learning process faster.. (of course if you like what you're learning)

You say you learned those pieces 2 years ago. What have you done since then? It might be a little easier if you didn't have to dig all 3 pieces out of cold storage.

The disadvantage with over-familiar pieces isn't that they'll be bored, it's that they'll have heard so many performances of them that it'll be hard for you to make an impression

100% right. You've gotta play every piece in your repertoire EVERY day, to maintain and improve!

But the disadvantage of a piece they've never heard is that they may not appreciate the finer points of your performance.

No, if they are so competent to judge your playing they should know every piece you may play... (I know it's difficult, but if they can't it's you who should judge them )

[popdog]

Thanks for all your replies.  Can't get in touch with my teacher at the moment, a lot will depend on that.  Pieces should be around Gde 7-8 AMEB, which is similar to ABRSM. 

eddie,  I think I will probably play a Bach P&F, although I could play a Scarlatti sonata.  Maybe Bk I, no. 21 in Bb or Bk II, no. 12 F min.  The latter would be more work but I like it much more.  The prelude from the Bb is quite a good show piece though, and much easier than it sounds.

Your romantic suggestions are probably all above my level.  I've actually been thinking about Beethoven's sonata op.2 no.1.  1st or 4th movement, 1st would be more approachable.  It's not Romantic, but it doesn't have to be, that's only a sample program they give.  What do you think about this sonata for an audition?  1st or 4th movement?  I'd probably wanna learn all movements anyway. 

20th century: arthur, I will check this out.  Does it have another number of just an opus?  is this the Dance Suite Sz. 77?

I would say, play to your strength. Do pieces that you already know, that you feel you did really well on. After all, they're only interested in how well you play, not in how many esoteric pieces you're familiar with. Why spend the summer learning 3 new pieces when you could just polish ones you already know?

Good point.  Although honestly I really want to learn some new pieces.  As I said, I didn't choice over these, and they would have been different if I had.  But I could use the Bach prelude, learn the fugue and use that, might be a bit short.  I could use the Albeniz Malaguena - good piece, but probably a bit easy for this (Gde. 6).  I could use the Bartok Sonatina, but it's a bit short I think (~4 minutes).  It's likely that I'll use one or two from this set of pieces I think. 

I'll have a think about this and come back with a proposed program.  Any comments welcome. 

Thanks,
popdog.

[zp3929]

for your 20th centuary piece, how aboutk something from bortkiewicz?

Zac

[dnephi]

for your 20th centuary piece, how aboutk something from bortkiewicz?

Zac

Bortkiewicz composed in a 19th century style.

How about the Barber Excursions?

[eddie54]

yeah, i didn't know the level i guess....that's why i asked what he was learning now.....but now i can suggest things more appropriate.....if you're looking at beethoven, one I like to hear is piano sonata no 9, I think op 14 in E major.....besides all of the trite sonatas, I don't hear this one enough, and should be well in your grasp in a few month....show's good technique with very clean passage work and lyricism......1st or last movement works i think....you'll need to work hard on this, but you should enjoy it......

some romantic pieces, you could do a couple of schumann's kinderscenen, or maybe schubert moment musicaux, or schubert impromptu.....maybe a chopin nocturne or set of mazurkas

for modern pieces, maybe look at macdowell prelude from first modern suite, forget opus no....sounds hard, but same pattern over and over again, with nice lyricism....very underplayed, and very hard to find recording.....maybe some debussy like golliwog's cakewalk, or any of those pieces from children's corner....

too bad you couldn't come over and play for me, since then i could just go through my music library and see what i have, haha......either way, yes, pick pieces you will enjoy since learning them will be much more fun, and less work.....

[slobone]

I could use the Albeniz Malaguena - good piece, but probably a bit easy for this (Gde. 6).  I could use the Bartok Sonatina, but it's a bit short I think (~4 minutes).  It's likely that I'll use one or two from this set of pieces I think. 

They did say the pieces had to be from 3 different periods -- those are both 20th century. Is that a problem?

[jaypiano]

How about the Barber Excursions?

That's a piece for piano, 4-hands.  In any case, forget about Barber. 
Why not look at Luciano Berio's "Six Encores", and do a few of those.  Great music, and not too difficult.

[retrouvailles]

There is a version of the Barber Excursions for 2 hands, 1 piano. But yes, I agree with you, Jay. The Berio pieces would make a bigger impression on the judges, considering that they aren't played to death, like the Barber is.

[dnephi]

There is a version of the Barber Excursions for 2 hands, 1 piano. But yes, I agree with you, Jay. The Berio pieces would make a bigger impression on the judges, considering that they aren't played to death, like the Barber is.

They were written for solo piano first, and the set of three original pieces were debuted by Horowitz, which demonstrates their virtuoso caliber more than the ear-grating performances that weak pianists give to the slow movements.

[popdog]

Thanks again for all your suggestions.

Honestly - I'm pretty bloody confused at the moment.  I have met with my teacher, who had numerous suggestions.

I've decided to do Beethoven's Sonata no. 17 op.31/2 movt. 1 (Tempest).  It's great in terms of length (without repeats), would make a good audition piece, and is something I would want to learn anyway.

Other pieces we talked about were Chopin Waltzs (op.70/2 or no.14 op. posth. in E minor).  None of these grab me that much, plus they're both rather short (around 3 minutes I think).  Maybe I could do two shorter ones.  Another was the nocturne in E minor op.72/1 (around 4 minutes). 

I'm not familiar with Chopin's Mazurkas, I'll have a listen to some.  I guess I would need a few to make up 5-6 minutes.  Any suggestions?

We also talked about the Khachaturian Sonatina 3rd movt (around 4 minutes).  Good show piece I guess.  Don't like it that much though.  Will have a look at Berio's Encores. 

So if I went with the Beethoven and Khachaturian, then sorted out a Romantic work I'm close, and the length would be good.  No Baroque but I don't think that matters that much. 

I'll come back with a few different alternatives and see what you all think.

Thanks,

popdog.

[popdog]

One possibility:

Beethoven: Sonata op.31/2 1st movt.,  6-7 mins (?)

Chopin: Nocturne op.9/1, 5-6 mins

Khachaturian: Sonatina movt. 3, 4 mins

Total: 15-17 mins

Thoughts?

[thierry13]

One possibility:

Beethoven: Sonata op.31/2 1st movt.,  6-7 mins (?)

Chopin: Nocturne op.9/1, 5-6 mins

Khachaturian: Sonatina movt. 3, 4 mins

Total: 15-17 mins

Thoughts?

You're not going to tell me a university will accept someone with such an easy program? Do you have any idea of the programs of the others  ? Or does the university lack students ? Or are you applying for composition or something like that and you are having basic instrumental tests? Yours does not look like a piano performance repertoire at all, even professionally played, sorry ...

[richard black]

Thierry, it's a University course, i.e. academic as much as performing. I see a lot of people graduating from London University with a programme no more demanding than that. Leaving completely aside the rather obvious point that Mozart sonatas (for instance) are in their own way every bit as hard to play well as Liszt, Chopin and Alkan, I can assure the original poster that examiners at a _university_ graduation recital would be very happy to hear that programme played really well and would be likely to give a good grade. Unless of course Uni of Melbourne is trying to ape a conservatoire in demanding technical wizzbang from all students, which would surprise me very much indeed.

[mephisto]

You're not going to tell me a university will accept someone with such an easy program? Do you have any idea of the programs of the others  ? Or does the university lack students ? Or are you applying for composition or something like that and you are having basic instrumental tests? Yours does not look like a piano performance repertoire at all, even professionally played, sorry ...

Your are so rude. Please stop it!

[dnephi]

Your are so rude. Please stop it!

I agree. My response might include such questions as, "Where did your ego come from?  Where is your Carnegie Hall Debut?  And, finally, what on earth does it matter where you do your undergraduate?" 

I'd like to see anything of yours, "professionally played."

[thierry13]

I agree. My response might include such questions as, "Where did your ego come from?  Where is your Carnegie Hall Debut?  And, finally, what on earth does it matter where you do your undergraduate?" 

I'd like to see anything of yours, "professionally played."

Huh? Where did you see anything in my post comparing myself to him? I did not even talk about myself ! I compared him to university standards, that's all. I mean, if you want to do a career as a pianist, you must be able to play much more demanding repertoire than that ...

[dnephi]

Perhaps you could do it in the following way:

"if you want to do a career as a pianist, you must be able to play much more demanding repertoire...  [Seriously talk to your teacher, assuming that you have one, and make some changes, because there are very high expectations at the college level ...]"

That way, you would tell him that he's not in the shape he needs to be without coming across as pretentious or stuck-up.  I assume that the language barrier was the reason for sounding bizarre, not any personality of yours.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I know a fair few people who have graduated from universities, and their techniques are certainly not stellar - remember that people do not necessarily study music at uni with the intent of going on to be a professional pianist. I doubt popdog's intended programme is excessively easy, though it might be an idea to talk to students on the course and ask what they took to audition (or maybe your teacher will have some insight into the expected level). Also, the audition panel will be more impressed by a well-played piece of medium level difficulty than an uncomfortable scramble through some virtuoso warhorse.

[thierry13]

Perhaps you could do it in the following way:

"if you want to do a career as a pianist, you must be able to play much more demanding repertoire...  [Seriously talk to your teacher, assuming that you have one, and make some changes, because there are very high expectations at the college level ...]"

That way, you would tell him that he's not in the shape he needs to be without coming across as pretentious or stuck-up.  I assume that the language barrier was the reason for sounding bizarre, not any personality of yours.

My view is that changing the way you put facts doesn't change them, that's why I sound harsh most of the time, but I don't care  There was no language barrier, I could have said it your way, but it's a loss of time and it's being hypocritic. As for the fact that not everyone studies at university in piano to be a professional pianist, well sorry THAT is my bad. I didn't think hopeless pianists would go on to study it  (I'm seriously not making any reference to popdog here)

[popdog]

OK, thanks for all your reponses. 

First off they state a minimum of Gde 7 AMEB (which is about equal to ABRSM I think) - all my pieces are above that level (not hugely though).  No doubt piano auditions are highly competitive and there will be people who are playing programs way above mine.  But even if I miss out on the Melbourne Con, there's another few places in Melbourne that I'll apply for.  I think I'm in the standing if I play well, since I have heard of others getting in of similar level.  BTW, my intention is indeed to major in composition. 

I'm going to contact the faculty and see if no Baroque piece is a problem.  Are there any other comments? 

Thanks

[thierry13]

BTW, my intention is indeed to major in composition. 

You see ? Does everyone see ? I was not harsh or mean, I saw right what he aimed for. I think your level is perfect for a composition major.

[welltemperedpianist]

Haha-- I enjoyed reading this board. When I asked the same question, I think Thierry recommended I learn stuff like Ravel-- Gaspard de la Nuit and Balakirev -- Islamey for my audition... haha. And of course, the "I told you so" at the end.

Anyway, if your plan looks like this:

One possibility:

Beethoven: Sonata op.31/2 1st movt., 6-7 mins (?)

Chopin: Nocturne op.9/1, 5-6 mins

Khachaturian: Sonatina movt. 3, 4 mins

Total: 15-17 mins

Thoughts?

I would probably say it looks like a good audition program! the Khachaturian would contrast with the Chopin. And your playing the Tempest sonata (if well executed of course) would be a plus in demonstrating showmanship. If I were you, I would add Bach, but if Bach's your weak point and its unnecessary, theres no need.

Also, I'm not sure why you're counting the length of the pieces, but you are aware-- at least in the US, the jury dont listen to the whole pieces?? Only like 10-15 minutes (sometimes longer) for undergrad and grad students.

Hope that helps