One Minute Piano Piece - Piano Competition

[thepianist09]

In November, I am playing in a piano competition in London. For this, I need 6 minutes of repetoire to play, which is an annoyingly short time. We are allowed two pieces.

The first piece I will be doing is Fantasie Impromptu in C# Minor by Chopin. This has contrasts of everything and I think will do quite well. This takes up 5 minutes.

I need to fill up the final minute with another piece, and I would like outside advice. It can be flashy or beautiful, preferably a combination of the two.

I have considered a Chopin Prelude, but I would prefer it to be a different composer.

Any suggestions are please welcome.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

In November, I am playing in a piano competition in London. For this, I need 6 minutes of repetoire to play, which is an annoyingly short time. We are allowed two pieces.

The first piece I will be doing is Fantasie Impromptu in C# Minor by Chopin. This has contrasts of everything and I think will do quite well. This takes up 5 minutes.

I need to fill up the final minute with another piece, and I would like outside advice. It can be flashy or beautiful, preferably a combination of the two.

I have considered a Chopin Prelude, but I would prefer it to be a different composer.

Any suggestions are please welcome.

The second one.

[thepianist09]

Thank you for your good suggestion, although I was looking for something quite a bit harder (I can play all the Liszt Transcendental Etudes etc.)

Fantasie Impromptu might seem an unusual choice, but its what my recently deceased grandfather would have wanted, thus I have done it.

[onwan]

My first idea was some of chopin prelude or etude op.25 no.9. But if you prefer some other composer I would say Liszt's transcendental etude no.1.

[chopinrabbitthing]

Realistically, you may have less than a minute () depending on how long it takes you to play Fantaisie Impromptu.
Do you have to do something Romantic?
I really think a Scarlatti Sonata and the Chopin would make a brilliant duo, if it's short enough.
This is really tough question... sigh....
Or else you can have an all Chopin repertoire and play his "Butterfly Etude" from Op 25 (can't remember which number - this is difficult, flashy and extremely difficult.
Or Liszt's Transcendental Etude No 1 can act as a Prelude to the Chopin.

I hate it when they give a short time limit, it's almost impossible to pick a repertoire that suits...
Good luck with the competition.
Btw, what competition is this?

[patrickd]

A Gershwin prelude may be suitable.

[asiantraveller101]

OMG, 6 mins is too short. Are you sure you want to play Fantaisie Impromptu? It is rather repetitive and you are using up your precious minutes for the longish middle section and the repeat of A section, which is redundant. Do a Chopin prelude and pair it with a contemporary etude, like a short Ligeti or Prokofiev; or a Chopin etude with a short contemporary.

[j_menz]

I can play all the Liszt Transcendental Etudes etc.

Though you appear pretty much unable to post without mentioning this.

What competition only has 6 minutes?

There is a Sorabji "variation" on Grieg's Death of Ase which is just under a minute and rather spectacular.

[thepianist09]

Though you appear pretty much unable to post without mentioning this.

What competition only has 6 minutes?

In answer to your first question, they were my Grandfather's favourite pieces, as I said he has died recently and I am honouring his memory. We were very close.

A competition that only has 6 minutes is a competition that only has 6 minutes. I'm not trying to be funny, I am answering your question.

[j_menz]

A competition that only has 6 minutes is a competition that only has 6 minutes. I'm not trying to be funny, I am answering your question.

I'm not trying to be argumentative here. It's just that six minutes seems a lot less time than is generally allowed given that your repertoire clearly takes it out of the junior leagues. It also seems rather less time than necessary for any sort of judgment to be made. I merely express my surprise that someone thought to conduct one in this manner.

The Sorabji suggestion was serious, btw.

[thepianist09]

I'm not trying to be argumentative here. It's just that six minutes seems a lot less time than is generally allowed given that your repertoire clearly takes it out of the junior leagues. It also seems rather less time than necessary for any sort of judgment to be made. I merely express my surprise that someone thought to conduct one in this manner.

The Sorabji suggestion was serious, btw.

Sorry, I apologise for over-reacting.

The Sorabji was a very good suggestion, and I think I shall play that or the Liszt Transcendental Etude no.1.

It is unusual in 6 minutes, but I think the competition is designed around how much you can get into 6 minutes. Which is, in itself, unusual, but it seems a good thing to try.

[j_menz]

Another rather fun option is the William Bolcom Piece "A 60 Second Ballet (for chickens)"

[lostinidlewonder]

One of Sorabji's 100 Etudes

[nanabush]

Chopin Prelude in Bb minor... if you can play all the Liszt TE... then this should be a piece of cake for you.