Manhattan School of Music General Audition Rep. Question

[stefano]

Hello everyone, I am auditioning at MSM in March and would like to know your opinion of performing the Chopin Fantasy in F minor as my romantic work (already in rep.) I was originally going to play Rhapsodies Espagnol but will not be able to bring back the entire work to a satisfactory level in time. Unless I learn the first section and recapitulation and pray they don't request the Jota Aragonesa. (anyone believe that's an appropriate risk to take?) if not, Is the Chopin an effective option (considering the audition lasts 10 min.?)

Thanks in advance

[bachbrahmsschubert]

I'll assume this is a Bachelors audition for Piano Performance.

Typically speaking, they won't request too much from you. Meaning, if they're nice (which all schools are) they will let you play your pieces in whatever order you want. I highly highly highly doubt they would stop your playing of rhapsodie espagnole and then request you play a different section of the piece. It's like, "oh, Chopin Ballade 4, can you just play the coda please?" Not going to happen. That being said, if you do not know the entire piece DO NOT audition with it. Under no circumstances is that advisable. Any piece that is in your known repertoire is assumed to be fully known. If they find out that it isn't fully known (poorly played, which obviously won't get you in) or that you only know sections (you lied to them) they can and will dismiss you after admittance.

While your audition is timed to be 10 minutes, it's likely to go over. Don't assume that you're only going to play "this much" of a piece based on time restrictions; they may never stop you.

Chopin Fantasy should be fine. What are your other audition pieces?

Remember that they really want you to do well. Don't feel intimidated by the jury. Smile and show them what you can do!

Best wishes,

[birba]

Well, years ago, I was actually asked to skip to the coda of the g minor ballade in my bachelor auditions.  Hair raising, to say the least.  That said, the Fantasy is a wonderful audition piece!

[bachmaninov]

woo, my first post in like 6 years. Anyway, yeah, when I auditioned at new england conservatory they stopped me in the middle of hungarian rhapsody 6 and told me to go to another piece, but then one of the faculty interrupted and said "I want to see some octaves!". (referring to the last theme of the rhapsody)