College Audition Repertoire

[wuharvey]

Hi Everyone!

I will be doing auditions next year, I am thinking of playing the following program:

Bach - WTC Book 1 C# Major P&F
Mozart - Piano Sonata Bb Major K333
Chopin - Piano Sonata No. 2
Prokofiev - Piano Sonata No. 7
Scriabin - Etude Op. 8 No. 12

I am worried, however, about two issues. One is the sheer difficulty of this program. The other is the repertoire itself - is it too popular, mainstream, oft-played? I was considering substituting the Chopin Sonata with something like Liszt's Funerailles, or Vallee d'Obermann?

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

[asiantraveller101]

A few thoughts come to mind when i read your comments and your program:
1. If you afraid of your program, then it is better to pare it down and select more manageable pieces. Audition is for you to show a range of your best playing, not a time to fumble or mess it up by playing something beyond your capability. It is best to present pieces that are well-polished and played with finesse. All the pieces do not necessary have to be "difficult."
2. Your program is way too long. Three sonatas?? You will be given about 20 to 30 minutes for undergrad and perhaps 30 to 45 for graduate audition. You will working on all your pieces hard and playing them to the best that you can. To invest all your effort in such a long program disperse your effort and concentration. You have to rethink your strategy and therefore, the selection of your pieces. All your pieces are good choices; but just not all together at once for an audition.
Good luck in your prep.

[wuharvey]

Thanks for the quick response!

Do you think I should replace either the Chopin or the Prokofiev?

Perhaps switch the 7th Sonata with the Toccata?

Or the Chopin pieces with Liszt?

[asiantraveller101]

I think both your possible switches are good. Prok Toccata and Liszt either one. It makes the program much more attractive. My only concern is that both Liszt pieces have a long slow beginning. It may drag a bit for an audition, but you may play it so well that it will be captivating. 
Let's see if you get any other suggestions from the others in this forum.

[blazekenny]

Prokofieff toccata is a bad choice. I know that for young boys mostly it is appealing, but mature musicians hate the toccatas - usually they are just banged, and even if they arent, there isnt any music written in them. And nobody is going to be amazed by the speed of your fingers - every hard working pianist gets the technique one day.

[asiantraveller101]

I am sorry to differ from you, blazekenny. Prok Toccata, if played well, can be effective and exciting...(and I AM a mature pianist and I don't hate it).
By the same argument purported by you, one can say that every pianist will get the technique of all the etudes if they work at them, and therefore they should not play them??

[wuharvey]

Thanks for the input everyone!
After some listening, I'm thinking of doing Liszt's Second Ballade, and Scriabin's Fourth Sonata.

How does this sound?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Thanks for the input everyone!
After some listening, I'm thinking of doing Liszt's Second Ballade, and Scriabin's Fourth Sonata.

How does this sound?

That's two romantic works.  You only need one.

[wuharvey]

The Liszt would be the mandatory romantic piece. Scriabin can fit the 20th-century bill. The 4th Sonata is very much post-romantic!

[j_menz]

Scriabin can fit the 20th-century bill.

1903, whilst technically 20th century is rather outside the spirit of the requirement.

[michaelpianist]

Hi Everyone!

I will be doing auditions next year, I am thinking of playing the following program:

Bach - WTC Book 1 C# Major P&F
Mozart - Piano Sonata Bb Major K333
Chopin - Piano Sonata No. 2
Prokofiev - Piano Sonata No. 7
Scriabin - Etude Op. 8 No. 12

I am worried, however, about two issues. One is the sheer difficulty of this program. The other is the repertoire itself - is it too popular, mainstream, oft-played? I was considering substituting the Chopin Sonata with something like Liszt's Funerailles, or Vallee d'Obermann?

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

I like your audition program, & agree with you that the program is quite difficult - it is indeed The Bach and Mozart require a lot of sensitivity, and the Chopin b-flat minor sonata is definitely one of Chopin's most challenging works in both technical and musical aspects. Prokofiev Sonata No. 7 is one of Prokofiev's most well-loved sonatas, and I believe that with practice, you will be able to play it perfectly. The Scriabin d-sharp minor etude is extremely difficult (I remember watching Horowitz play that when I was younger!!!) with all of those awkward jumps, large stretches, and octaves.

I think your audition program is excellently chosen. I don't agree with the fact that your program is too long; I think it is of a perfect length. If you are given limited time at your audition, you will possibly be asked to play only segments and movements of your program, which should be fine. And if you play your program at a extremely high & polished level, the popularity of the pieces shouldn't concern you

I auditioned for pre-college music schools a few months ago, and will go to Colburn Academy in Los Angeles this coming fall. Here's the repertoire I prepared for all of the schools I auditioned for, just to give you an inspiration:
-Bach, Prelude and Fugue in f-sharp minor, BWV 883
-Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 23 in f minor, Op. 57
-Chopin, Ballade in f minor, Op. 52
-Chopin, Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53
-Schubert, Fantasia in C major, D. 760
-Ravel, Alborada del gracioso from Miroirs

I hope I helped & don't hesitate to ask me for more advice if you need it!

Sincerely,
Michael