Repertoire for audition

[rach]

I am trying to decide  on what piano pieces to work up in order to record on a CD and apply for a position at the college level.  Is my list recommended? Rachmaninoff prelude #5 Gm, #12 G#m, #5 GM, Etude Taubleau #8, Polchinelle op.3 #4. Hugo Reinhold Impromtu C#m #3, Chopin Polonaise in A, Polonaise in C#m,  Chopin Ballad in Gm, Ernesto Lecuona  gitanserias, andRobert Muczynski  Suite for Piano op.13.

[robert_henry]

That program seems a little narrow in scope.  You listed 40 minutes (!) of romantic music and several Spanish works.  Why do they need five pieces by Rachmaninoff?  Why do they need 3 pieces by Chopin?  Where is Bach, Scarlatti, Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, Haydn, Ravel, Debussy,and Handel?  Not including these composers on a program can imply that you are uncomfortable with that repertoire.  Also, I wouldn't play too many unfamiliar pieces.  How can they judge your performance if they don't know your piece?  (Not that it's impossible to judge a first hearing, but you know what I mean).

[pianodeanne]

Hi!  I auditioned to the Ohio University School of Music, back in 1984, with "Fantasie Impromptu".  The judges seemed to like the 'Always Chasing Rainbows' part of it, and I think it helped me.  Also, "Rondo Capriscioso" (sp) is a beautiful song, too.  

Some people can be so harsh.  If you are making a CD, you will probably pick whatever you like!  Don't let one person's opinion scare you.  Besides, I think Chopin's Polinaise in A is a beautiful piece!

Variety IS nice, but I believe in the end, your talent will tell the judges.  Your pride in completing the project, as well as your heart, will tell you.  And that will resonate to them, too!

[Diabolos]

Hi.

Robert Henry may be right - you should consider to play a more various program.

Of course, Chopin's Ballad in g minor is a beatiful piece, making a good technique necessary, but too much Rachmaninoff and Chopin will let the jury think that your uncomfortable with baroque, vienna classics or modern pieces.

You should consider to play some Bach though. That'll show you're comfortable with polyphonic playing; very important to most of the jurys.

Did you consider playing Brahms, Hindemith or Gershwin?

Just show 'em that you're confortable with various styles of piano music and everything will be ok.

[rach]

Thanks for your response.  Let me throw this at you and see if the already prepared selection and soon to be recorded CD is appropriate  And please be honest.  Bach Well Tempered Clavier Prelude and Fugue #2; Handel's Harmonious Blacksmith Suite #7; Mozart's Fantasia #1 K-397; Chopin Polonaise in A op.40 #1; Hugo Reinholds Impromtu in C# minor; Debussy's La Cathedrale engloutie; Ravel Miroirs Oiseaux tristes; Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G minor op.23 #5; Christian Sinding's Rustle of Springop.32 #3.  What do you think?  Neil

[Diabolos]

That sounds good.

Ok, I don't know all of these pieces, but looking at this veriety of different styles I think that you'll be fine.

Just do a good job recording that CD and you'll be accepted to college level, I think.

And who is Hugo Reinhold? I'm German and I don't even know him..strange.  

[rach]

Hugo Reinhold was born in 1854-1935, Vienna, Austria, wrote choral, string, chamber, and piano works.  He also taught at the Acadamy in Vienna.

[Diabolos]

Short but informative. Thanks

[Pianorak]

Diabolos:
Hugo Reinhold played the piano part of A. Zemlinksy's Trio in d-minor, opus 3 at its premiere in Vienna on 11th December 1896.

Go to www.musicnotes.com and do a search under artist which will show you some of Hugo Reinhold's music in print.

[p1an0]

2nd program looks better than the 1st one

[MikeThePianist]

I don't know how helpful this post will be so longer after you first asked for help.  My suggestion would be to look up the repertoire requirements for the schools your going to apply for, and find repertoire that fits those perameters.  For instance, most will ask for something from Bach WTC, but as for the classical, they're going to want a Mozart sonata, not a Fantasia (in my experience).  Don't overload yourself with things to learn, also.  The faculties aren't judging your repertoire, they're judging your performance of the repertoire.  This is something I had to remind myself of last year when I was auditioning.  Everytime I filled out my applications with my audition repertoire, I thought, "Well, that will impress them."  In reality, the titles are just words.  Pour your heart and soul into practicing your audition program.

Although the second version was more varied, I would look into some slight alterations.  You don't want to overdo yourself.

Mike

[ayahav]

I recorded Rach's Polichinelle. I'll send you a recording (through the web) if you want.... It's a beautiful piece.... PLAY IT!!!!

[rach]

  Just to let everyone know that I recorded a piano cd and it turned out well.  Unfortunately I have not landed a position yet at the college level.  Thanks to all of you that gave me feed back on tips to prepare for selecting pieces.  Rach