Piano competition

[thorn]

I need help choosing a programme.

I need 10-15 minutes only two (contrasting) pieces.

The first piece is Ondine (Gaspard de la nuit), it's probably (and weirdly) the most comfortable thing in my entire repertoire.

I am big on French music so was considering pairing it with a contrasting French work because it says nothing about different periods. Only problem is all I can think of would make it under the time limit- ie. Debussy Jardins sous la pluie, Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest. I don't want to do Feux d'artifice or L'isle joyeuse because they would let me down. Saying that I've got until April to get them up to scratch so maybe I should go with them.

Any advice or suggestions of other works? (doesn't have to be French)

[berniano]

Hey there,

A word of advice---- stay away from playing a second French piece if already are doing Ondine. Adjudicators love to see variety in programs, and almost always specify that you choose atleast two pieces from different time periods. If you can play another style comfortably, it shows that you are an adaptable musician.

Actually this past year I too played Ondine, and considering the virtuosic, yet melancholy, nature of the piece, why not choose something that represents a different mood? Some suggestions: Kapustin Concert Etudes (jazz flavor, yet very technical), a movement from a Beethoven Sonata, or Bach Prelude and Fugue. Even pairing it with some Chopin might be great as long as the tone of the piece contrasts Ondine's.

Hope this helps, and good luck!!

Berniano

[thorn]

Thanks for the advice.

I have the Kapustin Concert Etudes but the two I know would take longer than I have (until April) to get near the standard Ondine is at.

Bach I just don't do.

Beethoven and Chopin I will definitely look into. I have also been thinking maybe some Rachmaninoff or Liszt- but the two pieces that come to mind, though totally different from Ondine stylistically/technically are in the same kind of mood so maybe not best idea? (the pieces are Rach op 32/10 or Liszt Vision)

[prongated]

A friend of mine used to constantly win prizes in piano competitions in Sydney by pairing Ravel's Ondine with Liszt's Rigoletto paraphrase (like, totalling 4-digits over a period of 2 years). Just a thought

[avguste]

what about american composers?

And when is your competition?

[nanabush]

So there are no constraints on time periods?

Ravel's Ondine is a water piece, so what if you chose two of the 'nature' Debussy Preludes.  My prof went on about this for like 15 minutes when I was picking some to play (I chose 'Vent dans la Plaine', 'Colline d'Anacapri' and 'Ce Q'ua vu le Vent d'Ouest).

Out of those three, I honestly find le Vent d'Ouest the least strenuous to perform.  Vent dans la Plaine has those awful jumps in the middle, and Collines d'Anacapri has loads of little intricacies combined with jumps.  Vent d'Ouest is just more bombastic, and I find that it's generally more grounded than the other two.

I dunno, Brouillards, Feuilles Mortes, des Pas sur le Neige, Ondine, and the three I mentioned have something to do with nature in one way or another, so maybe two that fit well together?

Or just pick one longer piece by Debussy: Pagodes, Reflets dans l'Eau, Soiree dans Granade, Hommage a Rameau, ... anything in the images or Estampes pretty much.

Or do a more contemporary French Piece.  Francois Morel's 2nd etude de sonorite is pretty cool.

[berniano]

If it's between the Rachmaninov and the Liszt, which are both great choices, the one that definitely contrast the best (in my opinion) is the Liszt, which adds some flamboyant flair to your program. But make sure you choose the one you're most comfortable with

Good luck at your competition!

[thorn]

Thanks for the replies.

the competition is in April.

I love the Liszt paraphrase but no way can I get it to competition standard in 2 months

I will look into American composers- would be good to have something original.

I play a lot of French stuff- I love Vent d'Ouest its been in my repertoire for years. However even though it's not specified, I agree with the point that they would probably prefer a contrast in period.

With Rachmaninov or Liszt; I would rather play the Liszt, but the passage in between the chromatic octaves and the tremolos is a bastard- then again that is something I could achieve in 2 months. Rachmaninov might be an easier option though even if it's not quite as contrasting.

I spoke to my piano teacher and she told me to use Chopin Nocturne in E and Debussy L'isle joyeuse. Only problem with that is I would rather use pieces I know inside out than pieces I'm currently working on.

[slow_concert_pianist]

Bach I just don't do.

That sounds like a recipe for disaster. Those who "don't do" Bach have been known to find discipline a problem. If you don't do Bach, forget Beethoven. Chopin and Liszt are "bluff-able", yet you will notice many references to Bach in Liszt's extraordinary compositional range.

I think that Les jeux d'eaux a la Villa d'Este (S.163/4) from Liszt's Annees de Pelerinage 3rd Year would adequately complement Ondine. It is quite difficult and it should (mostly) be played in strict time so you lose some of Ravel's "freedoms". I think that a couple of months dedicated practice should produce an outstanding performance with the right commitment.

[thorn]

nanabush you have inspired me!

I play Vent d'ouest as well as, if not better than Ondine. so maybe a good 10-15 minute program would be Vent d'ouest plus Liszt Harmonies du soir??

the Liszt needs work but it's achievable in two months.

though just to be safe I would like to ask for suggestions for things similar to it in mood and length so I can think of alternatives.

thanks nanabush =]

[john11inc]

Actually, I sort of liked the idea of double-Frenchiness D:


Boulez Douze Notations?

[nanabush]

The Debussy/Liszt sounds really cool.

Anyways, whatever you pick, I'm sure it'll be good 

[slow_concert_pianist]

nanabush you have inspired me!

I play Vent d'ouest as well as, if not better than Ondine. so maybe a good 10-15 minute program would be Vent d'ouest plus Liszt Harmonies du soir??

the Liszt needs work but it's achievable in two months.

though just to be safe I would like to ask for suggestions for things similar to it in mood and length so I can think of alternatives.

thanks nanabush =]

Liszt Harmonies Du Soir in 2 months? God help your audience unless you are a genious
Personally I would allow 2 years for the refinement of that one!

[thorn]

I'm not stupid enough to just pick up Harmonies du soir and think this is contrasting and it looks simple so I'll use that.

I have been playing it on and off for 4/5 years, just never performed it in public. And it does need a little work because I haven't played it for ages and secondly because I don't think there's ever a point where anyone's performance of any piece is above 'a little work'.

[avguste]

Sounds like a good program to me
For american composers, check carterpann.com

I am also ready to listen to you and help you out on Skype if you want to get an outside opinion/advice.
Let me know