Submitting Pieces In College Application

[spencervirt]

Over the next 6 months, I plan on working on three pieces for my college applications this upcoming november.

My question: Does it look better to have 1.) three technically challenging works from the relatively same time period or even composer 2.) or a wide variety of composers/time periods of a somewhat less challenging nature

Example- Rachmaninoff prelude g minor/Chopin nocturne e flat/Chopin ballade 4

or

Beethoven sonata op. 57 (appassionata) mvt. 1 , mozart a minor sonata mvt. 1, and the chopin nocturne. I wouldn't have time to prepare a more difficult work in the third slot because it will take me a long time to learn the others to perfection. I may be able to throw in a bach invention (13) if they allow 4.

Any ideas? My teacher and I have been discussing this a lot and I would like some more input.


Thanks!

[kelly_kelly]

Assuming you're referring to non-conservatory/performance programs, most places want fewer than 15 minutes of music, so keep that in mind. I think the most important thing is to submit whatever you can play really well - a contrast in style is ideal, but if your strength really lies in one area, it's best to just go with it. I was/am not a very advanced pianist, especially from a technical standpoint, but I submitted a supplement anyway since it can't really hurt. These are the pieces which I sent in some combination to all colleges:

Mozart K. 332, last movement
Schubert D. 537, first movement
Scriabin Poeme op. 32 no. 1
Bach Prelude and Fugue in F minor from WTC II

As far as I recall, the Mozart and Schubert were my strongest pieces, so for places which didn't have any requirements I sent those, even though they didn't represent a huge contrast. I sent the Bach in addition to the Mozart and Schubert to one place which "suggested" that pianists should include a Bach prelude and fugue, and for one place which wanted no more than 10 minutes I sent Schubert and Scriabin. As you can see, none of this repertoire is technically very impressive, but I think I played it pretty well, and piano wasn't a major part of my application in any case.

Best of luck!
Kelly

[spencervirt]

Thanks for the reply! My strength lies overwhelmingly in Chopin. He is simply my composer! His fourth ballade is my favorite piece, and I do believe that I can get it ready for a supplement. Although, as you said, they want fewer than 15 minutes- so it might be better if I submit the nocturne and the beethoven sonata mvt. 1, to show that I can do both. I will have to research the requirements of the schools to which I am applying and adjust according to what they want. If they allow longer, I might go back to my ballade which runs 12 minutes or so. Thanks so much!

[monsieur30centimetres]

The first movement of the Appassionata is longer than the Ballade No. 4.

Just play the Ballade and a sonata by Soler or Scarlatti.