Master's Recital Repertoire Advice

[mattpianist]

Hello! I'm new to the piano forum, but I have "lurked" on the site for quite a while reading your discussions. I know that often members will post questions about their repertoire to solicit advice from others, and I thought I may try the same.

I'm having my master's degree piano recital (performance) in about a year, and also have doctoral auditions and a recital in Europe during this year. I'm finalizing the repertoire I'd like to play, but would like some advice as to possible options. Here's what I'm planning:

Bach - EITHER Prelude & Fugue in D Major (book 2) OR Partita No. 2 in c minor
Beethoven - Sonata Op. 110
EITHER Liszt - Dante Sonata OR Schumann - Carnaval
Debussy - L'isle Joyeuse
Prokofiev - EITHER Sonata No. 1, No. 3, or the Toccata in d minor
Adams - China Gates
Scriabin - Etude in d# minor, Op, 8 No. 12
Perhaps a few Chopin or Liszt etudes

Thoughts? I'm still waivering on my Romantic selection, Prokofiev selection, and a few etudes to combine...any combination of these should meet the doctoral audition requirements at the schools I'm applying to, and will more than suffice for the 60-75 minute requirement for the master's recital...I'm just concerned about combining works of such scope together. For a reference of what I've recently played, this year I performed Beethoven's Appassionata, Ravel's Jeux d'eau, Liszt's Funerailles, Bach's French Suite No. 4 in E-flat, Chopin's Ballade in A-flat, and Rachmaninoff's 2nd concerto. Thank you in advance for your input!

[quantum]

Hi and welcome to Pianostreet.

IMO, your repertoire list looks impressive but feels a little on the heavy side.  Have you considered a collection of short character pieces?  Perhaps substitute that Scriabin with a collection or lesser known preludes.  Scriabin has many short and quirky pieces to select from.  You may also wish to consider a composer earlier than Bach.  Maybe a collection of early Baroque or Renaissance keyboard music.  

[kitty on the keys]

That is quite a selection of pieces! I agree it is a bit on the heavy side. I 'm glad you are doing the China Gates---great piece! How about some Brahms?..... any set would be great. How about pairing some Chopin Waltses and Preludes? Best of luck with your program.


Kitty on the Keys

[orangesodaking]

Hello! I'm new to the piano forum, but I have "lurked" on the site for quite a while reading your discussions. I know that often members will post questions about their repertoire to solicit advice from others, and I thought I may try the same.

I'm having my master's degree piano recital (performance) in about a year, and also have doctoral auditions and a recital in Europe during this year. I'm finalizing the repertoire I'd like to play, but would like some advice as to possible options. Here's what I'm planning:

Bach - EITHER Prelude & Fugue in D Major (book 2) OR Partita No. 2 in c minor
Beethoven - Sonata Op. 110
EITHER Liszt - Dante Sonata OR Schumann - Carnaval
Debussy - L'isle Joyeuse
Prokofiev - EITHER Sonata No. 1, No. 3, or the Toccata in d minor
Adams - China Gates
Scriabin - Etude in d# minor, Op, 8 No. 12
Perhaps a few Chopin or Liszt etudes

Thoughts? I'm still waivering on my Romantic selection, Prokofiev selection, and a few etudes to combine...any combination of these should meet the doctoral audition requirements at the schools I'm applying to, and will more than suffice for the 60-75 minute requirement for the master's recital...I'm just concerned about combining works of such scope together. For a reference of what I've recently played, this year I performed Beethoven's Appassionata, Ravel's Jeux d'eau, Liszt's Funerailles, Bach's French Suite No. 4 in E-flat, Chopin's Ballade in A-flat, and Rachmaninoff's 2nd concerto. Thank you in advance for your input!

Taking only my personal preference in music into account, I'd pick Dante over Carnival, Partita over P&F, and Prokofiev 1st sonata. But Dante is shorter than Carnival, which would make up for Partita being longer than P&F.