help with competition pieces

[frederic]

Hi everyone

I am taking part in a piano competition this year around July. This is a rather small competition and is open to any pieces.
The pieces i will definitly be playing are Chopin Sonata No. 3 and Bach 2 part invention in E major.
I was then thinking maybe Liszt's Paganini Etude No. 5 or grand galop chromatique.
Then maybe a piece by Schumann or Rachmaninoff (i was thinking maybe his Polichinelle op 3, no. 4 or his humoresque op 10, no. 5)
Then maybe a 20th century piece
I was thinking maybe mompou or shchedrin.

All advices or suggestings are welcome!    

[ayahav]

i recorded polichinelle. It's a GREAT piece. I suggest you do that one. as for Liszt, you might want to try the Paganini etude no. 6 (based on the violin caprice) because it sounds familiar and new at the same time. A very nice Schumann combination is "Des Abends" and "Aufschwung" from Fantasiestücke or only the second one. Both are moderately difficult but if you are playing the chopin 3rd then they shouldn't be a problem.

Amit

[willcowskitz]

Rachmaninoff, Liszt and Chopin are pretty mainstream as probably mentioned before... If I was to play different pieces in a free competition, I'd pick something unknown yet inspiring - influencing, and something the audience will remember. What about Sibelius? He composed some great piano works... I believe the audience would be pleased.  

If you want to show off technical skills or something like that, sure, pick Liszt or Rachmaninoff. Polichinelle is a nice, timeless and flowing piece, but could be real difficult to perform _well_. I'd go for a surprise. If you're a strong interpreter, Sibelius' works are technically relatively simple but open great opportunities for showing musical maturity. I wouldn't probably attempt the Paganini etude, except of course, you feel certain about being ready to perform it. I consider Liszt's Paganini studies as a world of their own, rhythmic and melodic nature of those pieces requires certain kind of approach.

[frederic]

I knew you would suggest Sibelius, Will!  

[willcowskitz]

Hahah  

His piano compositions are awesome!

[SteveK]

Hi Frederic.
The Grand Galop Chromatique by Liszt is a great piece to play. For the 20th century piece, you can try Ravel's Jeux d'eau.