College Audition

[ksm_13]

Here are the requirements next to what I had previously prepared:

Bach Sinfonia or Prelude & Fugue - Sinfonia in G Minor
First movement of a Classical sonata - Beethoven Sonata #1 in F Minor, Op.2 No.1 (Allegro)
A Romantic piece - Rachmaninoff Prelude in B Minor, Op.32 No.10
20th- or 21st-century piece representative of musical developments over the last 100 years - Debussy L'isle joyeuse


I still have several months before the audition however, and I'm thinking of changing the Bach and the 20/21st century pieces. Maybe the Beethoven as well. I haven't had a teacher for over a year (I was studying abroad) but I'm starting up with lessons again in August, so I have the whole summer to practice & prepare. In the meantime, I could use some advice!

[jknott]

don't you need something a bit more modern? debussy is barely 20th century and the piece you chose is more than 100 years old.

[ksm_13]

don't you need something a bit more modern? debussy is barely 20th century and the piece you chose is more than 100 years old.

Fair point. Any recommendations then? I haven't played much 20th-century music. Apart from Debussy, I've only learned Prokofiev's Suggestion Diabolique and Khachaturian's Toccata.

[jknott]

Not from me i'm afraid, though I'm sure others could help.  Late Liszt is about as modern as it gets for me.

[quantum]

Concentrate on quality.  Juries have heard time and again virtuosic pieces butchered to death by people that wanted to "impress."  Play to your strengths: eg. if you do lyrical music well, show that; if you do arpeggios well choose a piece that contains them.

Choosing from lesser known or obscure composers within a category, may be helpful.  A lot of people have Bach as the oldest music on their program.  Maybe you could play music of Bach contemporaries, or even earlier keyboard music. 

For a modern selection, perhaps look into a piece by a living composer. 

Careful not to choose pieces that are too far beyond your technical ability.  You want to be able to say something with your music, not just get by with the correct notes. 

[j_menz]

Some living composer works:

Carl Vine:

Peter Sculthorpe:

Stephen Hough:

[chopin2015]

Ligeti

[refugepiano]

Maybe replace that Beethoven Sonata. That movement is very much played, especially with the younger students as it is rather easy. However, if you cannot play any other Beethoven Sonata better than this movement thank keep it. It is better to play something easy and well than play something hard and not get in. Other than that, yeah maybe change the Debussy.
Good luck for your audition! I hope you do get in.

[pianoman53]

Maybe replace that Beethoven Sonata. That movement is very much played, especially with the younger students as it is rather easy.

I find it interesting that people have this idea on what's easy. Say, Chopin 1st ballade vs the 4th: Everyone says the 4th is more difficult, yet, I have probably never heard a live performance that was really good of the 1st.
The same with Rachmaninov 2 and 3 concerto... And the same with this sonata. Yes, I've heard a ton of 10 year olds play it rather shitty, but it was a long time ago since I heard it really well played and convincing.

[asiantraveller101]

Concentrate on quality.... Careful not to choose pieces that are too far beyond your technical ability.  You want to be able to say something with your music, not just get by with the correct notes. 

Yes, definitely. Prepare well and polish all your pieces. I suspect that it was not your repertoire, but your level of finesse. However, with that said, I have 2 suggestions for you think about:
1. If you have the time, change the Sinfonia to a P & F. (I know, i know, some of the Sinfonias are equally or even harder than some of the easier fugues).
2. Change out another piece to include a more contemporary piece.
Good luck and keep us posted as to what you decide.

[ksm_13]

So for my final repertoire, I've settled on

Bach Prelude & Fugue in eb minor/d# minor
Mozart Sonata in c minor
Chopin Etude 25.12 "Ocean"
Griffes 5.1 "The Lake at Evening"

Thoughts? Thanks again for all the advice.

[ianw]

I notice that all of those pieces appear in the Piano Syllabus app at Grade 11 except the Griffes piece which is grade 9.  Other works by Griffes are there at Grade 11, like The White Peacock and Barcarolle No. 1.  I'm not familiar with these works at all - is the chosen piece appreciably easier? Is this a concern?

[j_menz]

the Piano Syllabus app

I hardly holy writ. Don't take it too seriously.

[cjcarrington97]

If you wanted my opinion, (and I hope it is still valid!), I would play a lesser known Prelude and Fugue. For an audition I did, I played BWV 875. It's not too difficult if you like scales, and you can really bring out contrapuntal ideas in BOTH the Prelude and Fugue. A sinfonia may be a little short in duration and, if not played convincingly will probably bore the panel.

The Mozart Sonata you gave seems like a good idea in fact I could only throw suggestions at you which would probably be equally as good as what you've chosen.

The Chopin etude seems like a good idea, though PLEASE play it well. It's a pretty well known one out of the 24+ etudes Chopin wrote so it wouldn't be surprising that someone else has played this too. Something like Op.25 N.7 could go well if you find learning, (unless you have already), Ocean to be a little taxing, and again gives you the opportunity to be varied with a slower piece but still show off virtuosity with control. You could even be a little sneaky and put L'isle Joyeuse in here if you wanted to, (it would save you time!), but may be a little risky when it comes to the 'Is he too impressionist for Romanticism?' debate. Of course learn the Chopin and if you find yourself clutching at straws you have some kind of back up!

In terms of a 20-21st century piece - this may be a bit bold but I'll say it anyway: Kapustin?! I mean he is living, and highlights the requirements perfectly. 'representative of musical elements over 100 years' - Jazz, sometimes a little atonal also (20th century there). And I guess him bringing the classical forms of Preludes and Etudes etc like Shostakovitch, (but in a less threatening way!  ), would again justify you. You don't necessarily have to play 'classical' sounding pieces in terms of what's required, so why not? It'd really set you apart I think!

Of course these are all suggestions to take into consideration. If you are really sorted with a programme then I wish you the best of luck with it!