Audition in London, in December

[fnork]

I'm having an audition at Royal Academy of Music in London quite soon, in just 3 weeks. I was planning to perform the following works:

Chopin: Ballade in Ab major

Chopin: Etude no 1, op 10

Ravel: Sonatine, first movement

Bach: Preludium & fugue from WTC 1, c-moll

Rachmaninov: 2nd piano concerto, first movement

Emil Sjögren: Violin sonata in g-minor, first movement


However, I just recieved a mail from them which says that they only want to hear SOLO piano reportoire. This was a shock to me, since they don't say anything about it on their homepage. Does anyone know WHY they only want to hear solo piano reportoire? I was thinking about performing the Rach with a 2nd pianist (it will sound bad with just the solo piano) and the violin sonata with a friend. But they state in their mail that they only want to listen to me.... Why?? I don't understand it. I'll have to play Rach anyway because as you can see, it's an important part of my reportoire and I can't just skip playing it.

Also, does anyone have comments on the pieces I'm going to perform? Is there something missing, should I play something more, or is there something I shouldn't play? I know that there's a gap in the reportoire - there's no wienklassicism. I was thinking about playing some  Beethoven, and I know some movements from some sonatas. But I think it's too late to change your mind now, it's better to practice the reportoire I have as much as possible.
One possibility about Beethoven, though, would be to play the 2nd movement from his 30th sonata in Emajor, I know it somewhat but need to practice it. Do you think it's a good piece to play?



Next monday, I'm having a concert with a violinist friend who's also having an audition there. We'll perform all of our pieces in that concert, and we'll record it too. I'll try to upload the pieces after the concert, if anyone wants to hear it.

Also, does anyone here know how difficult it is to get in Royal Academy of Music? How many are applying, and how many people get in, does anyone know? Does anyone here study at Royal Academy, or do you know anyone who does?


/Martin

[m]

Dear Martin,

Let me reveal one secret--they are professionals and usually see right away who you are, unless something really terribly wrong happens. I don't think it is a good idea to learn something new at this point. Concentrate on what you feel comfortable with. Don't panic--you have a beautiful program with a wide variety of styles and will be able to show all your best qualities in your solo pieces. Just choose which piece you want and feel the most compfortable to start with. Needless to say, to play Rachmaninov Concerto without second piano IMO will do more harm--it just does not look professional. And of course, don't appeal, or argue with them--you don't want to be a "troublemaker" even before you entered the school.
Anyway, most likely they won't hear everything--be prepared to be stopped.

One more advise, don't think about how many students apply and how many they accept, and all that stuff. Just concentrate on what you have to do, and try to do the best you can--in the end that's the most important thing, isn't it?

[fnork]

One more advise, don't think about how many students apply and how many they accept, and all that stuff. Just concentrate on what you have to do, and try to do the best you can--in the end that's the most important thing, isn't it?

Thanks for your post. You're right about what you're saying, and I appriciate that you're helping me. What worries me is that they want to hear you play 20-40 minutes, and without Rachmaninov I probably don't even have 20 minutes. Hmm...
However, I also have Rhapsody in blue as a part of my reportoire, and I could play parts of it too.
I was thinking about performing a very short Villa-lobos piece that I know, too. It is the second piece from A prole de bebe, but I still need to work on it a lot... I probably don't have enough time.

[m]

One more advise, don't think about how many students apply and how many they accept, and all that stuff. Just concentrate on what you have to do, and try to do the best you can--in the end that's the most important thing, isn't it?

Thanks for your post. You're right about what you're saying, and I appriciate that you're helping me. What worries me is that they want to hear you play 20-40 minutes, and without Rachmaninov I probably don't even have 20 minutes. Hmm...
However, I also have Rhapsody in blue as a part of my reportoire, and I could play parts of it too.
I was thinking about performing a very short Villa-lobos piece that I know, too. It is the second piece from A prole de bebe, but I still need to work on it a lot... I probably don't have enough time.

Martin,

Once again, rule number one--never ever, especially for such important occasions, play pieces you just have learnt--only what you have been working for awhile, feel comfortable with, and preferably have already performed in public. You have almost 20 minutes of program. Nobody ever gonna disqualify you for missing 3 minutes. Besides, if they ask about it, tell them that you were working hard on Rachmaninov without realizing that they need solo only. If you are still feel really uncomfortable, take something that you know REALLY WELL. Once again, don't play or think about Rhapsody in Blue--you need SOLO PIECE. Once again, IT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD TO PLAY IT WITHOUT SECOND PIANO, AND please, NO PARTS OF IT--DOES NOT LOOK GOOD EITHER.

And now, take all these nonsenses off your head, turn off computer and go practice--I don't want to see you here before your audition, unless emergency.
If you will play well your solo--you are in--I promise you.

Good luck, and let us know how it went.

[fnork]

I have another thought, though... But I'm not sure the jury is interrested in something like this. I did a transcription myself of a Keith Jarrett improvisation, which I know quite good and have performed for my class once. It would demonstrate that I don't only play classical music and that I have other talents than just playing from sheet music, that I also have a good ear. Is it something they would be interrested of hearing?
I think it might be a good piece to add to the audition, but I have to learn it by heart. The piece is called "Americana", and you can find the sheet music here:

https://www.keithjarrett.org/transcriptions/

[fnork]

I think I know what to do. I'll be preparing both my solo piano reportoire and the rach concerto and violin sonata (I'm going to play everything in concert next monday anyway), but with more focus on the solo reportoire. And when I come to London, I'll play my solo reportoire and then ask them if they would like to hear Rachmaninov or Sjögren also, and explain to them that I have worked much on these pieces and didn't know that I wasn't allowed to play other than solo piano reportoire. I'll come there unknowingly, thinking that I'll get an accompanist for Rachmaninov, and think that I can play the violin sonata with my friend. If they tell me "no", then I'll have to accept that. If they tell me no, I have 25 minutes (if we include Keith Jarretts "Americana" which I'm quite comfertable with) of well-prepared music. Since they'll want me to play scales, arpeggios and sightread some music, I'm sure it will take 30-35 minutes anyway.

Don't worry Marik, I'm going to practice at my school right now! See you some other day, and thanks for your comments

[Daevren]

From the musical point of view, playing half the music of a concerto doesn't work. Its like reading half a book, or watching half a movie.

If I were to judge a student that played only the piano part of a piano concerto I would wonder if the student would understand how music works.

I even think a two paino version has little musical value.

[rohansahai]

Martin,
            Nice to hear that you are auditioning in London. The advice I can give you now, is that you should totally forget that you are auditioning for an entrance. Go there, and challenge yourself to play as well as you've ever played! Don't think that there'll be judges staring at you, and that, you will be nervous and things like that. Instead just challenge yourself to play at your best, regardless of the result!

[fnork]

From the musical point of view, playing half the music of a concerto doesn't work. Its like reading half a book, or watching half a movie.

If I were to judge a student that played only the piano part of a piano concerto I would wonder if the student would understand how music works.

I even think a two paino version has little musical value.

Well, I'm going to play a lot of other things too, so I think it's okay to play a concerto, even without the other piano. If they doubt my "understanding" of the music in the concerto, they won't when they hear the other things, perhaps.
Anyway, it will probably be the last thing I play. If they want to hear solo piano, I'll let them hear it. And if they want to hear something more when I've played my reportoire, I'll play the concerto. Simple.

The concert in my school is now on Monday. It will get recorded, so I'll upload it when I get the chance. Wish me luck!

[pianofancy]

wish you all Good luck and let us know how it went !

[pianowelsh]

Hiya I don't know whether you ve done your audition yet but all the best if you still have to do it. You didn't say whether it was an undergrad or postgrad one.  However essentially the same repertoire is offered for both at most of the London colleges. Unless they prescribe repertoire it's pretty much upto you what you play so be confident that the music represents your strenghts. As much as they may make a fuss about the T's and '.' at the end of the day they want to hear if you can play well and to see whether they think you are a suitable candidate for the kind of training they offer. I have to say casting my eye over your rep it sounds like it will be very suitable for them. It doesn't necessarily need to be notey. They get so many notes thrown at them over the audition period they enjoy something like the Ballade or first two mvts of the Ravel which frankly give the ears a bit of a rest and show musicality and artistic technique (artistry) at the same time.   About this time of year they have had all the undergrads examined in technical exams so you stand to score if you show variety in your prog.   Remember they are human and they have been through it all too (though I think sometimes some of them try to forget the fact - ie begotten not created)  Enjoy yourself - should at least be a good experience and the piano ought to be alright! - if it's not COMPLAIN - they'll love that (No don't !). The Academy has quite a tradition for turning out concerto soloists and concertos are taken as parts of exams relatively frequently so you should be ok i would have thought (usually if your an instrumentalist you provide your own accomp though - you'll prob give some ancient proff a heart attack if you spring the Rach 2 orch part on him as you walk throught the door) - ture that if this was to happen you would have made your mark and indeed they would probably be in the position of auditioning a new staff member  - so it may not be such a bad plan after all!

Take care (have safe journey's !!) and play well!!!!         ENJOY