Beethoven's Sonata opus 90 or Mozart's K310

[draganpower]

I am wanting to complete my ARCT this coming year and I need a list B piece. So I narrowed it down to these two pieces. Such decisions and such different pieces and composers. I Would like people's opinion.

Hope you guys can help me pick!!!!

[symphonicdance]

I suspect the adjudicators would be familiar with both pieces any way.  I don't know how it's the case for Canadian exam system, but it seems to me (grown on UK exam system) that Mozart is less technically demanding but difficult to score high as one needs to play Mozart really like Mozart.

[prestoconfuocco]

I think that if you can play op. 90 well it can leave a huge impact.
I also agree with symphonicdance, it can be tough getting a high score with K. 310 (I think it's almost impossible to play the third movement well...)

[carpbear]

Given your repertoire:

Bach - Prelude and Fugue in C# major  Bk I BWV 848
Debussy - Ballade
Debussy Pagodes
Chopin - Nocturne Opus 27 no. 1

The Mozart would be nice because it links through all the composers you've selected.  Bach strongly influenced Mozart; and both Debussy and Chopin were influenced by Mozart.

The thing to remember about Mozart -- ANY Mozart is that it has to be played just about perfectly and any mistake you make is going to stick out like a sore thumb.  Once I have the notes learned in a Mozart piece, I practice in a dark room to develop absolute confidence about where my fingers are supposed to go, then focus on making the most musical and polished sound I possibly can.

The thing going for the Beethoven is the absolutely *gorgeous* second movement -- one of his very best melodies, and also a challenge to carry the performance across because of all the times that melody is repeated nearly verbatim. 

[thesixthsensemusic]

I don't know your taste, just pick the piece that is closest to your natural musical affinity. The Beethoven one is a bit more technically demanding, but not to any great degree.

AFAIK it's the least-played of the 2, so you might be credited for picking a more 'adventurous' piece if going for Beethoven's 27th.

[draganpower]

Thanks for your opinions and sorry for the late reply. I have been so busy with nursing school and practicing my current pieces. I almost done polishing up my ballade and will be picking up the Mozart. Thank you for everyone's tips on how I can perfect it

Keep them flowing if you have more 

[chopinrabbitthing]

Personally, even though I've never played it before, I'd go with the Beethoven Sonata for an exam.

But that depends on you really: your Mozart interpretation (especially of this sonata, IMO the most difficult one musically) can either be loved or hated. It also depends if you're an experienced Mozart player or not, because as mentioned above, any form of mistake will leave a bad mark, because Mozart's music is so exposed (esp. the 3rd movement)

I'm not familiar with ARCT stuff, but I'm wondering why they put K310 on the repertoire list (it's on a list right?)

I'm studying K310 right now (for LTCL), and believe me, it's a huge risk to play it in exams and competitions because so many people have different opinions on how to play Mozart well. However, it can be really awarding if you do play it well, so it wouldn't be a such bad choice.

Good luck with either sonata though

[canada100]

Both the Beethoven Op. 90 and Mozart K310 are hard in their own ways. Mozart is difficult stylistically, technically, and musically. Every note is a gem. You miss a note in Liszt or Rachmaninoff, no one hears. You screw a note in Mozart, everyone hears. Beethoven Op. 90 is more Romantic, as this was Beethoven's first Late Period Sonata. Both of these pieces are wonderful, and in the end, it is up to YOU, to play what YOU feel most comfortable with.

Playing the hardest piece does not get you anywhere. If you play it poorly, it is much worse than being able to decently pull off a less-difficult work. Play easier pieces, but play them well. That is what is so hard about music-to play it well. Particularly the Mozart, which is technically and musically challenging.

Having studied both pieces, I would say both of them are very difficult, in their own ways. I will not compare, for they are two very different in the style and personalities.

All the best!

[liszt1022]

You're a master of bumping months-old dead threads.