Stellar Graduate School Repertoire

[Fastzuernst]

What is your choice of repertoire for auditioning for music graduate school?
I am WELL aware of the usual requirements such as a
Baroque piece
Classical sonata
Lg romantic work
Post classical etude
20 century work

I would like to hear some of your suggested pieces preferably from those of you who have attended or are planing to attend grad school in the near future!

[amanfang]

I am planning on auditioning for grad school in Dec.  The requirements for one is 3 pieces from 3 different time periods with contrasting styles.  I am doing the Beethoven Eroica Variations (Op35), Mendelssohn Fantasy in f-sharp minor (Op 28), and a Liebermann nocturne (#4).  My teacher and I decided on this choice last spring.  An etude is not required for audition for the school I am looking at, although other schools may.  What do you have in mind to play?

[ahmedito]

I auditioned at the Reina Sofia school of music in Madrid.

I played

Beethoven sonata op. 90 in e minor n27
Debussy etude for octaves book 1 n5
Chopin Fantasie-Polonaise

[amanfang]

That Mendelssohn fantasy is Op 28.  I think the smileys came on because of my 8 and then ).  

[Hmoll]

I am planning on auditioning for grad school in Dec.  The requirements for one is 3 pieces from 3 different time periods with contrasting styles.  I am doing the Beethoven Eroica Variations (Op35), Mendelssohn Fantasy in f-sharp minor (Op 28), and a Liebermann nocturne (#4).  My teacher and I decided on this choice last spring.  An etude is not required for audition for the school I am looking at, although other schools may.  What do you have in mind to play?

Now that's a very imaginative audition program.

Years  ago, I played Schumann Fasschingswank aus Wien, one of the WTC (can't remember which), Beethoven Op. 7, and Prokofiev 3rd sonata for my grad school auditions.

[amanfang]

imaginitive?  Meaning what?

[Hmoll]

imaginitive?  Meaning what?

I think it's a great program.  The  Eroica Variations are not played that much at auditions.
The Mendelssohn is also not played much at auditions, but it's a good choice because it can show off your technique. I don't know this particular Liebermann piece, but it's nice to see someone audition a piece from a composer who's actually still living.

[ChiarinaWieck]

In reading these resposes I am wondering-- is it better to choose a program of less well known pieces for a graduate audition?

[amanfang]

I am choosing less familiar pieces to try to give the faculty/judges something different to listen to.  I will be trying for a graduate assistant program in which I could teach 12-14 hours weekly and they would pay for my grad school.  But it is an extremely competitive spot to get into.  I would prefer to use less-played things so that they don't hear something that everyone plays and they have a particular way that they like it played.  It probably depends on the judges as well.

[Hmoll]

In reading these resposes I am wondering-- is it better to choose a program of less well known pieces for a graduate audition?

It depends. Juries are made up of professionals, and they've all heard Chopin Ballade #1 about a million times, but they can look past that to how well the student plays.
On the other hand, I can't help but think a student would be viewed differently if s/he shows up and plays Moonlght Sonata, Hungarian Rhapsody #2, and WTC I in Cminor.

[Fastzuernst]

My professor suggested that I play the following program for a grad school audition

Bach prelude and fugue
Beethoven's first sonata in f minor
Chopin Scherzo no.2
Prokofiev Sarcasms Op.17 (complete)
What do you think?

[amanfang]

Your professor should have a good idea of what would be acceptable for a grad audition.  The choices look good to me - I guess most importantly is that you play well and convincingly.  

[Fastzuernst]

Sure, playing convincingly should be the goal. What I would like to know is how successful, or unsuccessful were some of your auditions.
You may as well throw in where you auditioned also!
Thanks!