Beethoven Opus 90 or Beethoven Opus 13

[draganpower]

I am in a real dilemma here. I just finished learning Mozart's k310 first movt and my teacher said that I haven't grasped the essence of Mozart and Beethoven is more style which a play well. She wants me to pick up a Beethoven piece. So we narrowed it down to Opus 90 or Opus 13.

I have already played pathetique for my grade 10 RCM exam (1st and 2nd movt) and got 12/14. This was 6 years ago.

I like the pathetique more but I am worried that it is a more popular selection and may be easier for the adjudicator to pick at what I played. Or they are sick of hearing it. So opus 90 is a safer pick. However, I like Opus 90 but I like Pathetique more. What are people's thoughts on this.

My current selection of pieces are
List A - Bach - Prelude and Fugue in C sharp major BWV 848 BK I
List C - Chopin - Nocturne Opus 27 no 1
List D - Either Debussy's Pagodes or Ballade
List E - Prokoviev - Scherzo

[j_menz]

I like the pathetique more but I am worried that it is a more popular selection and may be easier for the adjudicator to pick at what I played.

There are only 32 sonatas by Beethoven. If an adjudicator is worth his or her pay grade, they should be able to pick apart any of them.

Also, I thought you liked the Mozart. Wouldn't you be better trying to grasp his essence?

[draganpower]

It is true what you said but interpretation is subjective and for more picked pieces, it is more likely they have version they like in their head.

I do really love that piece by Mozart. My teacher suggested I drop it for now because I have played it for 2 months and she thinks it needs a little break on that piece. Pick up a Beethoven she feels confident I can play well. Then pick up the Mozart and see if I can grasp his essence.

However if the Mozart doesn't work out I need a fall back plan and I am having issues picking....

[etogmajor]

Op. 90 looks to be a bit easier, but I haven't tried either of them.

If it were me, I'd always choose to learn a new piece as long as I had the time to do so rather than just playing something I already know. Also, I'm a huge fan of Beethoven's Middle and Late periods, and op. 90 sits on the fence of both these periods.

Then again, it might be more difficult to impress an adjudicator with Op. 90 than with Op. 13 where the musicality I feel is more straightforward.

[j_menz]

It is true what you said but interpretation is subjective and for more picked pieces, it is more likely they have version they like in their head.

They are also more likely to have heard a variety of interpretations and be used to that variety.

Since you have already done Op 13 before, if this is a "reserve" piece, that will be easier to get up to speed. But, now is also an opportunity to learn a new piece, Op 90. Which path you choose is really up to you.