Advice for an audition

[ana]

hi...i  have an audition coming up and they want 2 contrasting pieces/movements.
what would you play if this was your repitoire?
Gershwin-3 Preludes
Khatchaturian-Tocatta
Mozart- Fantasia in D min.  Fantasia in C min.
Beethoven- Pathetique (mvmt. 1)
                   Moonlight  (mvmt. 1)
Chopin-   Revolutionary Etude
               Nocturne in c#min
                Nocturne in e min
                Nocturne in eb
Rachmaninoff- Prelude in C# min.
Bach- invention #4
          invention # 13

or what would you suggest would be a good piece to play next around that level of skill?  i know it's not much. . .

thank you
-ana

[Fastzuernst]

hi...i  have an audition coming up and they want 2 contrasting pieces/movements.
what would you play if this was your repitoire?
Gershwin-3 Preludes
Khatchaturian-Tocatta
Mozart- Fantasia in D min.  Fantasia in C min.
Beethoven- Pathetique (mvmt. 1)
                   Moonlight  (mvmt. 1)
Chopin-   Revolutionary Etude
               Nocturne in c#min
                Nocturne in e min
                Nocturne in eb
Rachmaninoff- Prelude in C# min.
Bach- invention #4
          invention # 13

or what would you suggest would be a good piece to play next around that level of skill?  i know it's not much. . .

thank you
-ana
Is this a audition for University?
I would choose the Beethoven Pathetique and either the Tocatta or the Gershwin (or maybe both if you have enough time).

[ana]

yes, it is as well as for a scholarship. 

[rab1588]

u can choose alot of contrasting pieces from that list. personally, id go for moonlight and revolutionary etude, but that depends on ur taste.

[Fastzuernst]

u can choose alot of contrasting pieces from that list. personally, id go for moonlight and revolutionary etude, but that depends on ur taste.

No offence to Rab, but do not pick  the Revolutionary etude and the moonlight. First off, these are two of the most famous pieces in the piano repertoire, and they are WAY over played.

Even though the Pathetique is also well known, if played well, can show good technique and musicality, while being a good representation of the classical period. NO! do not pick the moonlight! If anything, pick the Mozart if you don't want to play the beethoven.

About the Chopin... This piece could show off a good technique but again it is WAY over played and it is guarenteed that the judges have heard it performed better than they will hear at an audition. Unless you feel that your perfomance is paticularly unique, my suggestion is to shy away from this.

Ultimately the question is what you feel most confident playing.

[ana]

hello!  thanks for the advice.  I don't think I'm going to do the Revolutionary Etude, though i was seriously thinking about.   it is a "show off" piece and I don't play it perfectly.  it's kind of muddy in the left hand. 

I think i'm gonna do the Khatchaturian Tocatta because I know it inside and out, and probably the Mozart Fantasia in C. 

Do you think it is better to play a very difficult piece, but not perfectly, just to show you are brave, or...do you think it is better to play a less technically challenging piece, but with more artistry and emotion?

[Motrax]

Less technically is the way to go. You want to show the jury that you are a musician, rather than a technician. I was going to suggest the Mozart C minor Fantasy and the Khachaturian Toccatta, but you beat me to it.  Both of these pieces have their own distinct technical difficulties, are of very different styles, are not overplayed, and are both very nice pieces of music.

Good luck!

[Brian Healey]

I would say to seriously consider Gershwin's "3 Preludes". If you're looking to stand out, you not only have to play well, but play material that will stick in the evaluators' minds. I think Gershwin's jazz-inflected style would contrast nicely to any of of the other composers you have on your list.

In the overall picture, I think musicality is the main factor. You should gravitate toward the pieces that you feel most comfortable playing.