Auditioning for RNCM, are these pieces acceptable?

[birdy412]

Hello everyone,
                    This is my first post. I'm auditioning for the RNCM in Manchester next year, possibly along with some other music colleges, and I was looking for some advice on what to actually play. I was planning on doing these following pieces, which I can play to a good standard. They're not quite there yet, although they will be by the time of the audition. Are they acceptable for the audition?

1. Liszt/Paganini - S.141 No.3 (La Campanella)
2. Chopin - Polonaise in A flat, op.53 (Polonaise heroique)
3. Ravel - Toccata from Le tombeau de Couperin

And if this programme wasn't long enough for any reason, I would play this also:

4. Rachmaninov - Prelude op.23 no.5 in G Minor.

Your help is very much appreciated.
Thanks!

[bachbrahmsschubert]

No.

These pieces are not contrasting in style. Every composer is of the 19th century, with the exception of Ravel, who is still close enough to the 19th century. Rachmaninoff is considered a 19th century composer.

Contrasting styles means composers of different periods, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th century (there are subdivisions of the 20th century, but don't worry about that). So, you can keep one of those works (I'd personally stay away from auditioning with La Campanella...boring) and pair it with Ravel, but you need to choose something of EITHER the Baroque or Classical era (Haydn, Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven are the most typical). Either way, all three pieces need to be of DIFFERENT eras.

Enjoy your studies.

[nyiregyhazi]

Playing popular favourites is also a bad idea- or, at least, I wouldn't recommend any more than one. The Ravel is okay, but even that isn't exactly terribly obscure. They rapidly tire of hearing the regular showpieces. Unless you have something pretty remarkable indeed, you'd be far better off showing an interest in high quality music that lies further from the beaten track.

[cranston53]

Hello Birdy412,

As others have suggested, the programme you have suggested is rather 'romantic' in nature.

Perhaps a Scarlatti sonata or something from the WTC to open?

Also take a look at a modern composer like Kapustin, who has written some very enjoyable and technically demanding preludes.

They are going to be looking for a broad range of keyboard techniques and genuine musicianship. The best way to do that is with an expansive and varied set.

Best of luck - RNCM is a wonderful school.

[49410enrique]

Hello Birdy412,

As others have suggested, the programme you have suggested is rather 'romantic' in nature.

Perhaps a Scarlatti sonata or something from the WTC to open?

Also take a look at a modern composer like Kapustin, who has written some very enjoyable and technically demanding preludes.

They are going to be looking for a broad range of keyboard techniques and genuine musicianship. The best way to do that is with an expansive and varied set.

Best of luck - RNCM is a wonderful school.

i must second the Kapustin suggestion. i love his work. genius, i think others will eventually realize (as in more) how critically important his compositional output are for the repertoire. i think he's way important, like JS Bach important!

Another 'modern' favorite of mine is Kabalevsky, yes he's famous for his pedagogy works but his substantial advanced solo works are well crafted.

Have you given the Rondo in A minor Op 59 a listen?, it' a little romantic in approach (composed for the 1958 Tchaikovsky Competition.)  but the sonorities/harmonic language and diatonicism give it a distinctly modern sound

[birdy412]

Hello everyone

Thanks a lot for your replies. Clearly my programme needs a serious rethink!  I appreciate the replies, but I'm really not keen on modern music, so I think I'll probably give Kabalevsky and Kapustin a miss, but thank you for the suggestions.

I've come up with this, would you be able to tell me if this is any better? I think I should be able to learn these in the year I've got until the audition.

1. Bach - Prelude and Fugue No.16 in G Minor from the Well Tempered Clavier Book 1
2. Schubert - Impromptu in G flat Major, D899 No.3 (I know this is a "popular favourite" but I can already play it so I thought I'd include it)
3. Rachmaninov - Prelude op.32 no.10 in B Minor or op.32 no.13 in D Flat Major

Is this any better, or are the pieces too well known?

Thanks very much for all your help
birdy412

[yodaofpiano]

Hi! I might get some flak for this, but NEVER is it a bad idea to go into an audition and play a "popular" or "well-known" piece. I mean, there's a good reason why they're popular or well-known...anyway, there are some caveats to going in with some of the pieces you have listed (mainly the polonaise and la campenalla). Because these pieces are so often heard in auditions, they will be more often judged, and almost always judged to a higher standard. If you think you can pull off your own interpretation that you know will just stun the judges, then go for it. If not, then maybe you might want to re-evaluate  . However, if you're ever going to not play a piece, don't play it just because it is a popular piece.

Now, I do agree with some others who have already said that your program needs more contrast. Two romantic pieces and a impressionistic/early 20th century piece is not contrast. So imo you should drop one of the romantic pieces, keep the ravel, and pick up maybe a baroque or classical piece (go beethoven)! good luck!!

[pastlifepianist]

Consider adding a Bach Prelude & Fugue along with a classical sonata (Beethoven would be good). Your programme is too heavy on 19th century/Romantic period and you will be penalised for not understanding the need for a varied and balanced recital programme. The RNCM would want to hear how you are able to tackle Bach (especially a fugue) and a solid classical sonata.

I also agree with what nyiregyhazi and yodaofpiano said about playing pieces that are overplayed...sorry, I mean "popular". 

[birdy412]

OK, thanks for the replies, how is my revised program I posted a few days ago? Is it any good?

Thanks a lot
birdy412

[yodaofpiano]

yeah it's great! but i'm kinda sad you left off the ravel toccata. i personally love that piece. but it's really up to you.

[amelialw]

If I were you I would play the ravel in place of either the Schubert or rach. Those 2 are still around the same era.