Audition repertoire questions

[cabbynum]

Some schools don't accept Chopin nocturnes while others do.
Why is this?
Some conservatoire say " a major work by the composer" what's that mean?
argh

[cometear]

Do you mean a major work by the composer of your choice or a major work by a composer they give?

[cabbynum]

Ah sorry, I wrote this very late at night and didn't realize I left it so vague.
A major work from a composer of my choice. But again that's a very vague request anyway.

[cometear]

Well first I would look at what else their requiring. For example, some schools require a Baroque, Classical, and Romantic work (they may specify certain composers). Picking a Contemporary piece would work in your favor but it is not required. I would consider a major work preferably long and complex. A sonata would be a good example (all movements included). What composer would you like to do?

[cabbynum]

Right now my bach is undecided haha either P and F 22 or the Eb minor one (I can't for the life of me remember the number)
I am doing Beethoven op.57 all 3 movements
Chopin op.48 no.1
And I can't decide on a contemporary piece.

[cometear]

I strongly recommend not doing a Bach Prelude and Fugue. I would think a Suite or Partita would be more accepted in a conservatory audition. Think about that. The Beethoven is great. The Chopin is so-so. I would pick something else but I think it can work. I would do a Prokofiev sonata for Contemporary. I think he's great to show experience.

[classicalnhiphop]

For the romantic work, I would suggest doing something "bigger", simply because colleges like seeing big romantic works like ballades, scherzos, and what not.  The hard liszt etudes and the very hardest chopin ones would be acceptable because you already have a somewhat massive piece on you program in the Appasionata.  If you were to a Ballade, it would, to me at least, be a scary program considering you have the Appasionata.  Nevertheless, it would be very impressive.  As for the Bach, I think having Bach is a good idea, but I'm not sure of doing a suite other than the French ones because the English suites and partitas are all about 20 minutes which would make your program very long, perhaps too long.  For a contemporary piece, I think that Prokofiev sonata 3, being only one movement, would be good.

[j_menz]

Since he's been mentioned twice, can I chip in and remind people that Prokofiev has been dead for 60 years. He's hardly contemporary. No more so than this is a contemporary car:

[classicalnhiphop]

Prokofiev is most definitely a contemporary composer, as he composed in the 20th century.  And about the car comparison, the whole idea of a car is contemporary.

[j_menz]

Prokofiev is most definitely a contemporary composer, as he composed in the 20th century. 

We, however, now live in the 21st. Go buy a dictionary and get back to me. 

[amelialw]

Email the conservatory admissions dept your choice and ask if it's suitable/ ask for examples of rep which are acceptable; that should help you gauge what is expected.

[cabbynum]

So far all the schools I've looked at have said a prelude and fuge from Bach or a work containing a fugue. I think a prelude and fugue is the safest choice there. I know the Beethoven is a good choice. The Chopin is the only one worrying me really. I love that nocturne but it may be a waste of time for the current situation.
Would the F major ballade be good by Chopin?
How about a Liszt ballade, not no.2.
Some schools even say no Chopin etudes.
What are som of y'all's favorite romantic works that wouldn't be too huge but also not too small?
I'd like a few ideas to work with, I'll go into my lesson this week with all of this to talk about.

[cabbynum]

Is the Prokofiev super hard?
I havnt been playing very long and it can take me a bit longer to get the notes than most players, the technique and music is there. The reading is a bit lacking.

[j_menz]

I love that nocturne

Which makes it a perfect choice. Show them why.

[cabbynum]

Peabody conservatoire doesn't allow nocturnes
I guess I won't apply there.
It is an amazing nocturne.

Also while I have everyone's attention. Any contemporary works that are heavy with octaves? I love octaves they are my biggest strength.

[j_menz]

Any contemporary works that are heavy with octaves? I love octaves they are my biggest strength.

Contemporary, a non Chopin etude, and "heavy with octaves". Of course, if you can pull it off, you can probably skip the conservatorium.

 

[cabbynum]

Is alkan okay for undergrad auditions?
I've basically learned all of op.35 no.5

[amelialw]

a number of schools want major romantic works like Chopin's Ballades/Scherzi/Fantasie/Sonatas, Liszt Dante Sonata, Mendelssohn's Variations etc.

as for the prokofiev it depends on you...

Auditions are quite soon aren't they so it's about time that you decide.

[cabbynum]

mine wont be till the winter of 2014 and spring of 2015.

[cabbynum]

alright for romantic piece how do these sound?

Liszt
Hungarian rhapsody no.6 (as I have said, octaves are easy for me)
Hungarian rhapsody no.19 (I love this one, allthough the thirds dont look fun)
ukrain ballade (is this one too easy?)
Ballade no.1 (this one is interesting I'm not sure i could commit to it)

Chopin
 Scherzo no. 3 (it doesnt look that awful until the end, am i wrong)
I cant get myself all hyped up about his other scherzi or ballades

Brahms
ballade op.118 (is this major enough)
brahms ballade op.10 (would i have to do all 4 or can i pick just one?)

Alkan
op.35 no.5
op.39 no.11

Can anyone tell me which of those are acceptable and which ones are not? Also does anybody have any immediate worries about difficulty that I am not seeing?

Thank you all so much, I know this is an annoying question but sometimes hearing others input can lead to me finding a piece that fits perfectly with me and the situation.

[ale_ius]

Something they may never have heard maybe if you are not bound I certain composers for all selections?

-Alee Marie

The other part links from video channel

I have troubles with insert embed so direct link for now
--Alee Marie

[cabbynum]

can you try posting it again?

[ale_ius]

Something they may never have heard maybe if you are not bound I certain composers for all selections?

-Alee Marie

The other part links from video channel

i do not know why it not work. Trying to fix here is the adagio and fugue from 2nd part will try to re post the first

[cabbynum]

Not sure if anyone cares anymore
But my teacher and I sort of cane to an agreement.
Finish the nocturne, then do one of these
Rach prelude op.32 no.12, or 23 no.3.
I picked 12 because it sounds like a lot more fun. Then she said I could pick a liszt etude and a large romantic work.