My solo debut recital O.0

[tchristec]

Ok so I have this idea, though it's not entirely mine as I was kind of encouraged, to give my first solo recital.  I have played in recitals with teachers when I was younger but it was just one piece but I have never given a full program recital.  Tentative date is next year around September (that is if the world doesn't end before that ) so there is a bit of time.

So I will use mostly pieces in my repertoire but I want to add a couple.

Here is a list of a possible program.

Chopin Etude 10/1 - Pretty current in repertoire, just needs touch up
          Etude 10/2 - This one I have been working on and its not ready yet but I'm hoping it will be, if not then i can forget it, although I really like the 1-2 punch combo 
          Etude 10/5 - I played this a while ago so I need to review it but I'm not too worried.

Beethoven  Pastoral Sonata - This one I haven't even touched, but I think that in 9 months it should be doable.  Any thoughts?

*Intermission (cuz giving an intermission is so pro) *

 Rachmaninoff Prelude  32/10 - This one is not even an issue.  It's currently ready to perform.

 Brahms G minor rhapsody - I can get this one back pretty quickly, I never really had a problem with it.
   Also I am wondering if I do one rhapsody should I try to do the first?  I will have to learn it though because I have never played it.  I guess if there is time.

Chopin Barcarolle - This one I am working on now.  I am having so much fun with it and no real problems so I think it will be fine.  I am positive it will be ready no later than spring.

Then I thought maybe a Chopin nocturne or 2?  48/1 is pretty much my best piece but I'm not too sure I want to play it just anywhere - I kind of have emotional attachment to it for certain reasons.  I suppose I could but I'm not too sure yet.

If not I was thinking 15/2 in F sharp major.  I would have to work on this one.


Anyways this is kind of an early new years resolution.  I just wanted to get opinions on this possible program, or perhaps if anyone has advice as I have never done this.  Of course it will be a free amateur concert that's not on a very big scale.  What do you think?

[tchristec]

Maybe I wasn't very clear with my post. I am wondering about if this might be a good program.  I have some questions.

If I do the Brahms is it better to do both rhapsodies or is it not weird to do just one?

I am also wondering about the Chopin étude 10/2. I don't know how put to par I can get it in nine months. Is that maybe not enough time?  I realize being able to play through an étude and actually perform one are two different things.

I wonder also if I should skip the nocturne(s). It seems long enough without them. Any feedback would be appreciated, especially concerning the Brahms. I need to get on that soon.

[j_menz]

The content of the program seems fine, though you might want to consider the order.

Important pieces are Opening - this should be a "sit up and take notice" piece that is short and showcases your talents. The others are the last before intermission and last overall - they should be the crowd pleasers.  You should also have an encore or two up your sleeve - crowd pleaser(s)too.

There is nothing weird about doing just one of the Rhapsodies.

The Chopin 10/2 is the one Richter loathed to play in public.  It's also the one where the difficulty is not apparent to a non-piano playing crowd. Feel free to skip it.

[pianodad]

Is there a theme to the program? At present, I don't sense one. You have one sonata, which is fine, and it's classical. Everything else is a Romantic standard, and it's a bit Chopin-heavy. Given the amount of time you have to prepare, why don't you think about the program as a whole.

For instance, the sonata could anchor the first half of the program. Putting some Chopin in the beginning would be a nice contrast. What would anchor the second half? The two Brahms rhapsodies could do that. But then you don't want yet another run of Chopin works.

Do you know any of the Schumann programmatic works. They could work well. Also, you have nothing from impressionism or from more contemporary composers.

My son gave a high school senior recital a a bit over a year ago. He too used a Beethoven sonata to anchor the first half. He used a large impressionist work to anchor the second half (Debussy's Suite pour le Piano). That offers a nice contrast of styles.

[tchristec]

Thank you so much for your replies.  This is just the kind of insight I need.  Unfortunately it is true that I am quite an unbalanced pianist.  The bulk of my repertoire is Chopin.  I keep telling myself I will play more of other composers, but just after one more Chopin piece... lol there is always something else I feel like I "need" in my repertoire when it comes to Chopin.  On top of that I play mostly  Romantic music, although I decided this year I would play more Bach, and that has been going well, I am pleased to say. 

As far as the program.  It's good to hear that it isn't strange to just play one Brahms rhapsody because I didn't really have a desire to play the first, at least at the moment.

The two pieces I absolutely want to do are the Beethoven sonata and the Barcarolle.  j_menz says I should open with "sit up and take notice" pieces.  So that means if I do Chopin 10/1 and 5 that should be pretty good right?  I think I will drop 10/2.  I agree that most non-pianists probably wouldn't enjoy it as much and that will save me a lot of time and effort 

If I open with 2 Chopin etudes is it better to group all the Chopin together?  Or will it be ok if I just perhaps end the first half with the Barcarolle?

I guess tentatively that means the program would go something like this.

2 Chopin Etudes
Something
Maybe something else
Barcarolle

*intermission*

Something (Maybe Brahms?)
Something
Beethoven Sonata

*wonderful thunderous applause for me *

*encore*   -(although seriously I have a feeling they won't be wanting one lol)

If possible I would like to end with the Barcarolle, but not as an encore.
I am really bad at organizing my thoughts.  I guess I have more questions now.

I agree with pianodad.  I think it would be nice to include some contemporary or even impressionistic pieces.  I thought about Ravel but I wouldn't want anything too difficult.  Any suggestions for a contemporary piece?  I was thinking about Shostakovich but nothing like a sonata or anything... i dunno.  I am just a big blob of confusion now lol.

[pianodad]

You say you are interested in adding some impressionist or modernist works if they aren't too difficult. OK, how about this:

1. Select one or two preludes by Debussy. Ethereal beauty, but technically quite manageable.

2. Something from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet Suite. Montagues & Capulets is a crowd pleaser for the young!

[j_menz]

If you want to do some Shostakovich, why not have a look at the Three Fantastic Dances. Not too difficult, either for you or for the audience.

Basic structure with the Barcarolle ending Part 1 and Beethoven ending Part 2 is good. Brahms/Shostakovich/Beethoven all in the one half may be a bit "heavy".

You should get an encore - these days it seems to be pretty much expected. Why not save one of the Chopin etudes for that, or the Rach. Oh, and some pianists give an encore regardless of the audiences enthusiasm for one; I don't generally recommend that but for something like this it's great practice.

[tchristec]

Thanks again for the advice.  I like the idea of doing some Prokofiev but I am not as familiar with his music as Shostakovitch.  I think doing the 3 dances is a fantastic idea (BAHAHA)

Right now I am thinking of saving the Rach for encore if I need it.  It's a nice piece but it's not one where I am just so excited to have everyone hear it like some of the others.

I am still a bit confused on how I should order the program but I think first half with barcarolle and second half with the sonata is a good idea.  I would like to do the etude(s) in the first half as well.

How about something like this?

Chopin Etudes 10/1, 10/5

Brahms Rhapsody

Barcarolle

*intermission*

Shostakovich Dances

Beethoven Sonata

*the end?*

*encore*?

I don't know if I should keep all the Chopin together or is it ok to split it up like I did?  Also should I think about adding something to the second half?

Thanks again for any advice or insights.  You gentlemen have been a grand help to me

[j_menz]

Looks good as is, and the Rach will be a good encore. Breaking the Chopin is fine.

[tchristec]

Ok!  Thank you so much for your help.  I will get on these right away then