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Which Mendelssohn piece is better for an undergrad?

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Topic: Which Mendelssohn piece is better for an undergrad? (Read 1533 times)

messycomposition

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Which Mendelssohn piece is better for an undergrad?

on: May 05, 2010, 02:43:09 AM

I am currently working on Mendelssohn's Rondo capriccioso, Op. 14. and recently discovered his Fantasty in f-sharp minor. Which one is more valuable for an undergrad? I am will be a Sophomore in the Fall and plan on taking my barrier early and can't decide on which piece to continue working on.

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Working on:Chopin Etudes Op. 25 No. 1, 2, 3. Mendelssohn Rondo capriccioso Op. 14. Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20. Rachmaninoff Prelude Op. 23 No. 4

quantum

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Re: Which Mendelssohn piece is better for an undergrad?

Reply #1 on: May 05, 2010, 08:33:14 AM

I've heard the op 14 more in undergrad than the Fantasy.

If you are going to be doing a recital later on, consider that you may wish to use this choice of Mendelssohn piece in it. Two things at once, plus more time for the piece to mature.

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Made a Liszt. Need new Handel's for Soler panel & Alkan foil. Will Faure Stein on the way to pick up Mendels' sohn. Josquin get Wolfgangs Schu with Clara. Gone Chopin, I'll be Bach

slow_concert_pianist

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Re: Which Mendelssohn piece is better for an undergrad?

Reply #2 on: May 07, 2010, 03:27:50 AM

I am doing the six prelude and fugues Opus 35. All his sonata's are suitable challenge. Next to the Rondo Capriccio, the Variations Serieuse are a popular choice on the concert podium.

Cherkassky often did the E minor fugue (WoO 13) as an encore. I shall put a recording of that prelude and fugue in the auditions room shortly. It is quite brilliant! The scherzo & scherzo a capriccio (WoO 2, 3) are worth a look at too.

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Currently rehearsing:

Chopin Ballades (all)
Rachmaninov prelude in Bb Op 23 No 2
Mozart A minor sonata K310
Prokofiev 2nd sonata
Bach WTCII no 6
Busoni tr Bach toccata in D minor

retrouvailles

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Re: Which Mendelssohn piece is better for an undergrad?

Reply #3 on: May 07, 2010, 03:33:04 AM

As an undergrad I did the Fantasy and it worked very well for me in both juries and performances in general. It's a real crowdpleaser that a lot of people are happy to discover and want to take up themselves. The Rondo and Capriccioso isn't a bad piece, but I also feel it isn't as versatile on a program as the Fantasy is, also.

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