Music School Audition Repertoire

[Reoreo111]

Hi, i'm a senior in high school, and i'm going to be starting to audition at a couple schools.
they are asking for 1 piece from the four periods.  which should i choose? or should i find a totally different piece? they are in the order that i am most prepared in.
Baroque
-Italian Concerto- Bach
-WTC- most of them

Classical
-waldstein 1st mvmt- beethoven
-Moonlight 3rd mvmt-beethoven

Romantic
-hungarian rhapsody 2- liszt
- G minor Ballade- chopin
-revolutionary etude- chopin

contemporary
i have no idea- something that i can learn in 2 months
-i did play a little bit of samuel barber- but i didn't like it too much

thanks for the help!

[dlu]

I would do the Waldstein, Um...I would probably pick the Italian Concerto but I know the judges would more appreciate and P and F from the WTC. For Romantic euther is probably Ok although all your choices are overplayed. Go for the Revolutionary. And for Contemporary do a Ligeti Etude.
DLu

[lostinidlewonder]

I'd say definatly something from the 48 Prelude and Fugues. I think these really are easier to control than playing the Italian Concerto and since you have played so many of them you really should be able to crack it and impress them. What about Bk 2 No 6.

I would say Waldstien Sonata Mvt 1 because of its saftey again, and because its so good to demonstrate your dynamical range and note sound qualities. I think Moonlight is impressive yes, but the people listening to you have heard probably everything that can be played. There is no need to impress them with repertiore more important to impress with your controlled ability.

hungarian rhapsody 2 would be good to show off your ability. I think being able to play through it without too many clangers would be impressive just as a demonstration of memory if anything else. I would play this if you think you have your hands around it adequatley enough. It's really something you could have fun with and show your own personality I guess. It would thrash the other two if they where played just as well.

[rachlisztchopin]

how bout some bartok or prokofiev...or they might even allow ravel for the modern era choice (go ahead and try ondine...i dare you)

[Sketchee]

I agree with most that's been recommended.  I'd avoid the Chopin only because his works demand more clean and classical like style.  These works are especially popular and so the scrutiny will be high.  The 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody is popular as well, but there's a lot more variety and being Liszt you can get away with a lot.  It still should ideally be pretty good, but Liszt is less specific in his interpretation marks so you can do a freer performance and be creative in making his melodies and harmonies work orchestrally.  If you do go with the Beethoven and Liszt, then a Prelude and Fugue would be my recommendation.

I wouldn't recommend trying to tackle Ondine in two months.  I don't know how polished the rest of your repertoire is right now, but it might be too much to handle all that you mentioned and then add Ondine.  Bartok has a lot pieces that you could bring a lot to.  Peruse some of his music and see what you like.  Another suggestion is the Poulenc Toccata from Trois Pieces.  Then again you might want to use the modern piece to due show your ability to do something lyrical and/or slow

[Daniel_piano]

I wouldn't suggest you to choose Ligeti for your modern piece
Music schools are moving forward from the fascism of that experimental period
Studying on a major strict music university and being member of the students commitee I know how things are working
Play a piece that you like and which you can feel the musicality and emotions of and avoid experimental mannerism and snobbism at all cost

Daniel

[julie391]

he didnt say modern,he said contemporary - so i think the composer has to be living and the music has to be fairly recently composed.
i think ligeti would be the ideal choice.

[Sketchee]

he didnt say modern,he said contemporary - so i think the composer has to be living and the music has to be fairly recently composed.
i think ligeti would be the ideal choice.

He also mentioned Barber, who is dead. 

[julie391]

indeed, id like to know the examination board's definition of contemporary

[Daniel_piano]

indeed, id like to know the examination board's definition of contemporary

I'm my experience (especially with diplomas) when the examination board say contemporary they mean anything after WW1 without the implication that the author must be alive
In fact, I've friends that played Bartok as their contemporary pieces
I think it's quite standard as rarely there's a strict difference of definition between modern and contemporary
I think he should ask for more clarifications
Anyway, I think he can find something more appreciated by modern examinations board (when examining young students) than Ligeti

Daniel