Recital repertoire selection - HELP!

[prongated]

I only just found out that I will be giving a recital on 23 March and am pondering what to program, given the time constraint. Initially I expected the recital will be in April or May, but

Original program:

L.v. Beethoven: Sonata in E-flat major op. 81a (Das Lebewohl) [15 mins]
A. Scriabin: Sonata in F-sharp minor op. 23 (no. 3) [20 mins]
~interval~
C. Debussy: Suite Bergamasque [15 mins]
J. Brahms: Fantasien op. 116 [22 mins]

Beethoven and Debussy are learned, but not the Scriabin and Brahms...hmm...also, they're a tad short, so I've thought of a few alternatives:

L.v. Beethoven: Sonata in E-flat major op. 81a (Das Lebewohl) [15 mins]
E. Raum: 3 piano pieces (Canadian composer) [18 mins]
A. Lyapunov: Lezghinka from 12 Transcendental Etudes [5/6 mins]
~interval~
C. Debussy: Suite Bergamasque [15 mins]
J. Brahms: Fantasien op. 116 [22 mins]

Or:

L.v. Beethoven: Sonata in E-flat major op. 81a (Das Lebewohl) [15 mins]
A. Scriabin: Sonata in F-sharp minor op. 23 (no. 3) [20 mins]
~interval~
C. Debussy: Suite Bergamasque [15 mins]
R. Schumann: Waldszenen op. 82 or Symphonic Etudes op. 13 [28 mins]

Everything aside from the Symphonic Etudes will be new. However, I like new things and I can learn notes quickly, especially if I really like the piece!

So, I'd love to hear what you think is realistic from a performer's POV, and also what you'd like to see programmed in a recital! Or perhaps if you have any other suggestion for a 5-10 minute piece to slip in the original program...that'd be great! Thanks ^^

[lostinidlewonder]

Personally I like going to piano concerts where the pianist generally doesn't play for too long between clapping

Of the three listed I would choose the 2nd one because I would like to hear Raum played (who I haven't heard played in concert before) and the Lyapunov is a rare treat too and fantastic to end the 1st half I think.

For the 2nd half I wouldn't finish with something that is too long because at the end most people might be exhausted. Perhaps end the concert also with a few 5-6 min piece? Maybe a Debussy Etude/Prelude or something from Ravel? And for some reason Islamey maybe that will mix logically well with the Lyapunov?

[nanabush]

A 5 minute Lezghinka would be insanity.  Good choice though!

[pianowolfi]

A 5 minute Lezghinka would be insanity. 

Definitely   

[prongated]

Of the three listed I would choose the 2nd one because I would like to hear Raum played (who I haven't heard played in concert before) and the Lyapunov is a rare treat too and fantastic to end the 1st half I think.

For the 2nd half I wouldn't finish with something that is too long because at the end most people might be exhausted. Perhaps end the concert also with a few 5-6 min piece? Maybe a Debussy Etude/Prelude or something from Ravel? And for some reason Islamey maybe that will mix logically well with the Lyapunov?

Haha, I've given this further thought and actually am (un)officially going with the 2nd one too! Except the final piece won't be Brahms but...er, Schumann's Symphonic Etudes it's for a conservatory recital, so should really like to end with something like that ^^

Elizabeth Raum writes very much in neo-romantic style, and her music is very accessible. In fact, reminds me sometimes of film music... And your sense is right about Islamey and Lezghinka. My very first impression of seeing the music to Lezghinka is, it's very much like Islamey's cousin! They both have pretty much the same structure. In fact, I think Lyapunov did hang out with Balakirev in a particular musical circle.

A 5 minute Lezghinka would be insanity.  Good choice though!

Lol you're right! 7 or even 8 minutes is far from being pedestrian for this piece I think! Maybe I got the timing mixed up with Liszt's TE10...

[slow_concert_pianist]

These are abitious times and pieces. Do you have any published recordings?

[prongated]

No, not signed to EMI or Decca or...

If you just want a sample of what I play, you can search the audition room - I think I've posted quite aplenty in the past. Most recently I posted Dutilleux Sonata 3rd movt. and Hair's Wild Cherries. I think I posted the Schumann Symphonic Etudes a few years ago.

And yeah, ambitious is probably right - Lesghinka and Symphonic Etudes in a single recital program, the only thing worse is putting them together one after the other!

[point of grace]

I wouldn't play 2 piano sonatas and a whole suite in the same recital...

[prongated]

I wouldn't play 2 piano sonatas and a whole suite in the same recital...

So how would you program an 80-minute recital?

[avguste]

I also like program 2.
I have actually never heard this canadian composer.
The only thing I would change is maybe do it in a chronological order.

Also, if you would like to have an outside opinion/advice on those pieces, check out my Skype lessons offering