Repertoire Suggestions

[arch95]

I am working on polishing my jury pieces for this semester, but I am trying to find some new pieces to begin for the summer. Do you have any suggestions? I am trying to build my repertoire as well as learn some pieces for summer music festival auditions for 2015. Here is a list of my pieces from the last 2-3 semesters to give you an idea of where I am:

Prelude in B Major Op. 28 No. 11 by Chopin
Prelude in G Sharp Minor Op. 28 No. 12 by Chopin
Prelude in B Flat Minor Op. 28 No. 16 by Chopin
Prelude No. 8 from Book II ,"Ondine" by Debussy
Prelude and Fugue in A Flat Major BWV 862 by J.S. Bach
Sonata in A Major K. 331 (1st Movement) by Mozart
Sonata in F Minor Op. 2 No. 1 (Complete) by Beethoven
Hunter in Ambush from Forest Scenes Op. 82 No. 2 by Schumann
Lonely Flower from Forest Scenes Op. 82 No. 2 by Schumann
Ostinato from Mikrokosmos Vol 6 by Bartok
104 Sonetto del Petrarca by Liszt

Thank you so much!!

[visitor]

really interesting, and just as pretty. tame relative to works around the same time of his output. actually serves as a nice intro the composer, which is sort of ironic in that an 'intro piece' lies so far into the output:

[j_menz]

These threads pop up from time to time, and generally generate a shortlist of peoples favourite pieces of the moment.  Often that is interesting (not always - some people need more imagination  ), but I can't help feel it is a case of giving a man a fish rather than teaching him to fish.

Basically, you need to develop ways of finding and choosing new repertoire yourself.  That is not to say that other people's suggestions will not always be part of that, but it really should not be the only or even main part.

It seems to me that many pianists get to the stage of the OP having basically only played pieces selected for them for exams/study/competitions etc.  Not everyone, of course, but it surprises me how widespread it seems.

The first step is to take steps to know what is out there. Youtube is a great, and free, resource here. Listen to things (not only piano, btw), and follow suggested links and playlists. Trust your instincts, and let your tastes guide you.  You'll wind up with an eccentric voyage, but all the best ones are.

The other thing is to play a lot of pieces. Get a gold membership here, or use the free scores on IMSLP. Browse music stores - physically if you can, online in any case.  Play lots.  I don't mean learn to performance standard, I mean just play through - one or two sightreads unless it takes your fancy.  Pick ones you've listened to and like, and then others by the same composer. If a piece turns out too hard to read reasonably, It won't kill you - just put it aside and move on to the next one.

One further thing is to read. Wikipedia and google will get you started - learn a little about the composers you know, and follow the leads - you'll be amazed where it takes you. And then search for pieces by people mentioned back on Youtube, and go from there.

My only word of caution is that following the above will produce such a list of potential repertoire - things you really want to play seriously -  that the next thing you'll be needing is a time machine/ alter ego/ immortality  to get through them.

[faulty_damper]

During music school, finding repertoire was never a problem. However, my teachers were all unfamiliar with the music I chose (Alkan, Godowsky, Thalberg, et al.) and would very subtly persuade me to play their kind of music (Chopin, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, et al.)  In fact, all my teachers have encouraged me not to play the music I liked, even certain Beethoven sonatas.  Assuming that most teachers are like the ones I've had, you should anticipate that they are conservation and don't want to put in the effort to learn new (to them) music.  For this very reason, choosing far off the wall repertoire may be met with disdain and isn't in your best interest.  It makes them look ignorant.

[rachmaspoz]

One piece I would recommend is Sancan's Toccata.
It is a unknown modern piece of music. It sounds very difficult
(which is always good for auditions  ) but it's actually
pretty easy and very fun to play. You need to have some strenght though.
Anyway, here is a link to a good recording: