Recital - Bad Audience - Impressive Piece

[xeniathepianist]

Hi Everybody,

I'm going to play in my music school's next piano recital on April.
The problem is that the audience (in concerts like this) is not familiar (parents,brothers,sisters,grandparents,friends,etc.) with classical music and especially with slow or "boring" pieces.
So, I'd like to play something which (sounds) impressive, maybe fast, not necessarily famous and of course interesting for the audience.
I am around grade 7 and I prefer a piece that it isn't too difficult to learn well in 3 months...!
Please, make suggestions!!!

Thank you in advance!
Xenia

[caioramos]

There is a Mendelssohn piece that is pretty fast (presto agitato) that I learned and it's around grade 8, but pianostreet grades it grade 7, it's quite impressive imo. If you can learn it, it would be a lot rewarding

(this is barenboim playing, he is pretty fast)

but you don't have to play that fast because its quite hard, you can play like this:

[ajspiano]

Does it have to be strictly classical? These are some of the more modern pieces that were in the syllabus when I did my exams, they are grade 7, 7, and 6. (ameb)

These are just random performances from students on YouTube.. They could all be played a bit better.

Powell power boogie

Willi wagglesticks walkabout

This one is grade 6
Feelin good

[drkilroy]

Prelude from Suite aus Holbergs Zeit by Grieg and Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum from Children's Corner by Debussy are fast but not very hard.

Best regards, Dr

[quantum]

You could also do a pair of pieces.  A serious piece that you like, plus something for your audience.  Tell your audience about the treat they will get, but first you would like them to hear this piece that you think is so beautiful. 

Tell them a little something about the piece.  Often an audience will be much more willing to listen in if you give them something to relate to, a story of how a piece was composed, a tidbit about the composer.  If there is a recurring theme in the piece, play it for them and have them listen for it when you perform.  Encourage your audience to be active listeners.  Try to get them for a short moment to really engage the music as opposed to the passive iPod-on-the-go, background-muzak-to-sweep-the-floor type of listening they most likely take part in. 

[pianoplayjl]

Here are some suggestions from an AMEB syllabus:

Liszt Toccata s197
Beethoven arr. Busoni Ecossaises
Mendelssohn Lied ohne worte in g minor op 102 no4
Debussy golliwogg's cakewalk
Debussy Minstrels from preludes bk 1
Tcherepnin Allegro Marziale op5no1
Gershwin the man I love
Paderewski Menuet Celebre

JL