Recital coming up... I NEED ADVICE!

[Rachmanoinoff]

Hey people,

I really appreciate all the help you have given me on my various posts, it's been of GREAT help.  Thank you, everybody, for being so supportive and kind.  This place is like a second family to me.  

With that said, I have a recital coming up, and I need some advice.  I need advice on how to set the thing up.  No, it is not a teacher-sponsored event or so, I'm just going to invite a bunch of people (mostly my parent's friends) to listen to me play!

First Question:
Here's what I'm going to play.  What order sould it be in?  I have no idea!  (I want an intermission, too.)  (Approximate timing is in parentheses)

Beethoven "Tempest" sonata, op. 31 no. 2 (+/- 25 mins)
Chopin Scherzo no. 1 (8/9 mins)
Chopin Scherzo no. 2 (10 mins)
Bach prelude in C (1/2 mins)
Rachmaninoff prelude in G minor (+/- 4 mins)
Chopin "raindrop" prelude (5 mins)

Now this is almost an hour...
An idea I have, is first the Beethoven sonata, then the intermission, then the 1st Chopin scherzo, the raindrop prelude, the second scherzo, the Bach prelude, and the Rachmaninoff.  
How does this sound?  IDEAS AND TIPS ARE MOST WELCOME!!!

Secondly: Is this stuff too easy?  It's not a "wimpy" recital, is it?  I mean, would you classify the pieces I'm playing as super-easy, easy, medium, hard, very hard, etc.?  

Thirdly: How do you practice for a recital?  This is the first one I'm having on my "own."  (With no other people playing.)  Before I'd only play one piece for 5 mins, then sit down.  This is different!!!!

Fourthly (if that's a word!?): Any other comments are GREATLY appreciated.  (Like on the pieces I'm playing, etc.... yes, I know, I don't have any Mozart... but I have my whole life in front of me!)


(and if you're wondering, I'm 15)

Thanks,      
Martin

[10Fingers]

hi martin,

put the bach at first, as you can warm up better this way. besides, i wouldn't play both chopin scherzi, as they're very long in time. so far from me.

greetings!

[rach17]

Hi,

First, as for the order I'm not sure exactly what I would do, the only thing I can really say is that I would start with whatever peice I am most comfortable with and get off to a good start.  Then again, some people like getting their annoying peices out of the way first, but that's just me.  Oh yes, I do think the Rachmaninoff would make a great closer!

Second, what really matters is how well you bring out the music, not how technical a peice is!  And your program certainly isn't "wimpy".

When preparing a big program, there just isn't time to do everything with all the different practice techniques every day!  My teachers system is this:
1. Memory work (playing seperate hands, memorizing chords etc.)
2. Physical techniques (metronome, rythms, all the technical stuff)
3. Play thru

then divide the program into A, B, and C practice sections that are roughly equal (like dividing up the sonata movements if necessary) and rotate them like this
Day 1
1. section A
2. B
3. C
Day 2
1. B
2. C
3. A
Day 3
1. C
2. A
3. B

I have used this at every one of my recitals and it REALLY helps!  

Just out of curiosity, which of those peices are your favorites?

Good luck and I hope you play well!

[dinosaurtales]

Personally, I am impressed that you know all of those pieces!  

I have considered doing the *home recital for friends* thing, too, and my thinking is that it would be an EXTREMELY abbreviated recital, for a couple of reasons.  First of all, your home is much more informal than a recital hall, AND if they are all friends who know each other, they will have a strong desire to gab and party.  They will, of course, be polite and will want th hear you play, but the urge to yack will be strong.  I would be mindful of that, regardless of how the event has been *sold*, and figure the music is more of an excuse to get all your friends together, and they will be supportive of your recital.  It's wonderful music you have programmed, so they won't be bored!  

have fun!  

[frederic]

HI

I think if i were you i would play in this order:

Bach (to warm up)
Beethoven (this will probably be your main piece)
Chopin Scherzo No. 1

~intermission~

Rachmaninoff (to get the audiences attention again)
Raindrop
Chopin Scherzo No. 2 (good end)

But i think 2 scherzi is too much
if it was me i would choose something 20th century

For your 2nd question
Your programme is at a very high level. It would be a likely programme a professional pianist will have what with 2 scherzi and a very difficult sonata. And it is certainly not 'wimpy'.

I would not touch the piano on the day of the recital and i will practice very slowly, carefully making sure every note is correct.


hope this helps
Well good luck

[ned]

I have been giving home recitals for several years. I love to do it. It is a great idea.  I think your proposed program is great music, but very, very intense.  Maybe too intense. There is no emotional relief. So I would suggest learning a Debussy Prelude or an easy Chopin mazurka or waltz to provide a moment of rest and stylistic variety.
You will have two main challenges - (1) your stamina, which has to be tested in advance, if you have not had to perform that much music before, and (2) your audience's stamina.
I would suggest starting with the Beethoven and ending with the Second Scherzo (it will get you an ovation) preceded by the Raindrop. That's already 40 minutes, which gets you close to a respectable time for a first recital effort. Save the Bach for an encore. They will ask for one anyway, and it is perfect.  I think the first Scherzo is too much like the stormy mood of the Beethoven. Save it for your next recital. I don't know about the Rach Prelude either. It doesn't seem to fit in this program.  By the way, you will be happier without an intermission in a home concert. It can be hard to get people back into their seats.
Also in a home setting it is good to say something, whatever, about the pieces or the composers.  For example, I have told the story about the great Anton Rubinstein, who was so spooked by the nasty leap at the end of the Second Scherzo, that he had all the notes on the concert piano above the high f tuned to f, so that even if he overshot the jump it would be okay! That story is even better if, God forbid, you miss the leap!!!
All the best,
Ned

[ignaceii]

Topic for repertoire NO !!!!
Don't make many others jealous with a question on which when ?
You studied them. If you don't know that by now.
Put them in genre, or confront one against the other, it's your choice.

[j_menz]

Topic for repertoire NO !!!!
Don't make many others jealous with a question on which when ?
You studied them. If you don't know that by now.
Put them in genre, or confront one against the other, it's your choice.

Have you seriously resurrected an 11 years dead thread just to rant incoherently at something in it?