Curtis slow+fast Chopin requirements?

[rachnroll]

Curtis' required repertoire includes

3. one slow and one fast selection from the works of Chopin for solo piano (no works of Chopin for piano and orchestra will be acceptable)

I was thinking of using the Ballade No. 1 as my fast piece and the Barcarolle Op. 60 as the slow piece.  The problem is I'm not quite sure if the Ballade counts as a "fast piece" (well, granted, it has that coda, but it starts off quite slowly and many of the main sections are the "slow and beautiful" type).    Do you think there's enough contrast with those two pieces?  I do have a Chopin etude I could use (Op. 10 No. but I'd rather use the ballade since I've worked on it so much and it's the piece I play the best out of my whole repertoire.

Thanks in advance.

[rachnroll]

Hahaha, that was supposed to be Op. 10 No. 8; the computer interpreted it as a "cool" smiley face.

By the way, I am a high schooler applying to conservatories.

[49410enrique]

first. discuss at length with your current teacher.

in the spirit of helpfulness i'll try and offer what i hope is a halfway decent reply.

you'll obvioulsly have to consider your total playing time as well as your skill set in presenting not only an acceptable (per the requirements) work, but also up the they lofty standards the kids at curtis have.

i would not place your choice of the first ballade as a 'fast work' it overall doesnt' feel fast, it more has quick momments, and those are far fewer in total playtime relative to the 8-10 minutes of total music in that piece.

id look at the a fast etude, or perhaps the Tarantelle Op 43, or something similar if feel, pace, and spirit. I would confirm the selection with your teacher. With the stakes this high you may also just want to pay for a consultation from an independent professor or concert artist too.

Musicology:
Tarantelle in Ab, Op.43

Key: Ab
 Year: 1841
 Genre: Other Keyboard
 Pr. Instrument: Piano

Chopin wrote in many dance forms: waltz, mazurka, polonaise, ecossaise, bolero, bourrée, contredanse, and tarantelle. This is the only piece he composed in the latter genre, and its energy, virtuosity, and high spirits would seem out of character for a man in his then-deteriorating state of health. Yet, while Chopin had increasingly frequent bouts of sickness from tubercular infection, he also had his good periods, which would account for this effervescent, technically challenging work.

Chopin's music races along here and divulges much humor and color in its lightness. The main theme comes in a bustling wave of notes up and down the keyboard. The mood of the music is rather playful, and if the dance is associated with a disease, Chopin seems not to have been cognizant of that fact. It should be mentioned that the tarantelle (or tarantella) has origins dating back to fifteenth century Italy. It is reputed to have connections with tarantism, a disease caused by a tarantula bite. Its resultant hysteria was said to be the reason for the dance's fast pace and frenzied movements, although some claim the tarantelle was actually devised as therapy for those suffering the illness. In any event, this is one of the composer's most good-natured, rollicking and colorful works. A typical performance of it lasts about three minutes.


good luck.

[rachnroll]

Thank you for the reply.  I already talked with my teacher and we decided to email admissions at Curtis but I haven't gotten a response yet.

I will probably be using the etude for the fast selection.

Do you think the Ballade No. 1 could count as a slow piece then? (in place of the Barcarolle)  I really want to try to include it on my repertoire since it is my best piece.

[49410enrique]

Thank you for the reply.  I already talked with my teacher and we decided to email admissions at Curtis but I haven't gotten a response yet.

I will probably be using the etude for the fast selection.

Do you think the Ballade No. 1 could count as a slow piece then? (in place of the Barcarolle)  I really want to try to include it on my repertoire since it is my best piece.

this would also be best addressed by the admissions point at curtis. but my gut no,it has fast sections (as in the coda) and the decoration figures around the main melody are quick but by virtue of their subdivisions or 'grace' notes qualities rather than beat/tempo pace. but the score is marked largo and has sections that are slow. you can see how it is difficult to categorize this, just ask them.

yes you should try to include your best work but you are also having to fulfull the formal audition requirements so this must be aswered officially by your contact/point at the school.