Suitable repertoire for piano competition?

[ella1980]

Dear all

I'm toying with the idea of setting up a piano competition which can be entered by people whose interest in piano is as their hobby, rather than their full time job. These people will be ex-pianists who, in their youth, were high achievers musically but have joined the rat-race to make a living and now want the opportunity to play and be recognised for their abilities.

How do I choose the repertoire? Align it to the levels within the ABRSM grades, for example? Any help, ideas, opinions on my piano competition idea are very welcome!

Ella (www.ellaconnolly.com)

[pianoman53]

You mean like an amateur competition?
Well:

Prelude&Fugue or other comparable piece by Bach
A sonata by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven or Schubert...

Like that, with pieces from each era, or something like "20 minutes free repertoire in first stage, 25 in second, and 30 in final stage". Since they are amateurs, with full-time job, you shouldn't have too long stages. I mean, in "normal" competitions, ppl go for 60 minutes repertoire. In an amateur competition, you should go for, maybe, 30 or max 40, since they can't practice as much.

[franz_]

Such a competitions exist already. Look at les amateurs de piano in Paris, or Van Cliburn Amateurs.
Although the level is very high there as well.
I believe that in those modern times, and for sure if you set up a competition for amateurs, you should give a lot of freedom in the repertoire. I think each pianist feels somehow better with certain composers, so let him express himself due to music that he realy loves and feels best with. I would with pleasure listen to a pianist who plays only Mozart in the competition f.e. if he is very interesting.
An idea might be that each competitor should perform a piece from his country of birth.

[ella1980]

Thank you pianoman53 and Franz_. Very helpful information which I can build on. Thanks again
Ella

[pianowolfi]

I agree with Franz_. I think it's best to be very open. The grade systems do make sense for students, but not for a competition of this kind.

[prok_2]

I think it might also be a good idea to simply give a time limit like minimum 20min max 25min and to simply specify that works to be performed should be from at least three different style periods. That way competitors will have enough freedom but at the same time there will at least be a diversity of music.

[livioguerra]

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https://www.circolodellequinte.it/repertorio.html
https://www.suonamiunapoesia.it/SUP_TAPPETI.HTML
Livio Guerra is an Italian pianist and composer
who writes mostly instrumental music,
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The mood is usually romantic and always melodic.
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