Recital Program again...

[cabbynum]

So I have been asked to play at a local theatre (kind of local, like an hour and a half drive...) They have a nice steinway, and want me to give atleast an hour and would like more. So I have decided this as the recital and I will talk about each piece before I play it because thats just how I role!

I have taken the Schubert Bb major sonata off my repertoire as I feel I can not do it justice at the moment.

here is what I was thinking as order, no intermission.

Rachmaninov Elegie

Brahms D minor Ballade op.10 no.1

Liszt Vallee D'Obermann

Beethoven Tempest

Chopin Barcarolle

Liszt Chapelle de Guillaume Tell

In estimating how long i talk in between each piece and estimating how long each piece will be played. I come out at around 90 minutes.  with about an hour and 10 minutes of playing. not too bad right? Or should I talk less?
also what order? I just picked that order based on mood changes.

Should I end with the barcarolle?

[jlskiles]

I noticed that your signature says you're working on Alkan Le festin d'Esope. Do you know that well enough to perform it? If so I would replace one of the Liszt pieces with that.

But if you keep both Liszt pieces, you might want to put them back to back.

[cabbynum]

I noticed that your signature says you're working on Alkan Le festin d'Esope. Do you know that well enough to perform it? If so I would replace one of the Liszt pieces with that.

But if you keep both Liszt pieces, you might want to put them back to back.

I don't know it well enough to perform.its also a risky piece so I want it really well under my fingers before I perform it. So the Liszt back to back? Where should they go?

[jlskiles]

I would put the liszt near the end, but not last. maybe put the barcarolle last and put the liszt before it?

[j_menz]

IMO the two Liszt's are to similar to work effectively back to back.  I'd stick with the order you've got, but reverse the Liszts as d'Obermann IMO has the better finish..

[theholygideons]

Why not end with the tempest?

[stringoverstrung]

Why not end with the tempest?

I agree completely. Barcarolle is not a piece to come in last.  After the big story of the tempest it will sound like "F# C# G# F# G# A#" - hypnosis...

Also Vallee d'Obermann before the break.
Did you consider any encores?

[theholygideons]

I agree completely. Barcarolle is not a piece to come in last.  After the big story of the tempest it will sound like "F# C# G# F# G# A#" - hypnosis...

exactli.

[cabbynum]

I agree completely. Barcarolle is not a piece to come in last.  After the big story of the tempest it will sound like "F# C# G# F# G# A#" - hypnosis...

Also Vallee d'Obermann before the break.
Did you consider any encores?

Good point there

For encores I was thinking Orage (I may have recently bought a new Liszt book...) Haha or something low key to end with. Maybe rewrite the state song to be a bit more virtuosic or something... I dunno, we had this discussion about my recital that's after this one.  Maybe rage over the lost penny? Or something really quick and fast? Flight of the bumblebee? (Not cziffra) or the tausig tocatta and fugue transcription.  Do you have any suggestions



Oh and holy, stop whining, you just don't like the barcarolle

[amytsuda]

How about Les cloches de Genève or Au bord d'une source along with Vallee d'Obermann, instead of Guillaume Tell? Au bord d'une source may be a better contrast with Obermann. Actually, Vallee d'Obermann was very approachable to an amateur like myself, much easier than Barcarolle, which I gave up two years ago and put on the shelf for later... so I'd prefer Barcarolle later for a funny reason. 

Beethoven last?  

[cabbynum]

How about Les cloches de Genève or Au bord d'une source along with Vallee d'Obermann, instead of Guillaume Tell? Au bord d'une source may be a better contrast with Obermann. Actually, Vallee d'Obermann was very approachable to an amateur like myself, much easier than Barcarolle, which I gave up two years ago and put on the shelf for later... so I'd prefer Barcarolle later for a funny reason. 

Beethoven last?  

Have you played through the entire Vallee? It is not an easy piece to pull off. Its not one of Liszt's harder works, but its no walk in the park either. The Barcarolle is harder though youre right, I don't take technical difficulty into account when lining up pieces to be performed.

[amytsuda]

I didn't mean I pull it off like a pro, but I can play it through like an amateur - 14 min 30 seconds so a bit slower side, I guess It's one of those piece either it really fails flat (my case) or it's really incredible. It repeats the same motif 62 times (based on counting) and it keeps increasing the drama, and it sorts of end like that, after you can't bang the piano any harder....With a great sounding piano and good acoustic, maybe, it's a good piece to end with. With people like me who lack power, it's the awful ending.

[stringoverstrung]

Good point there

Oh and holy, stop whining, you just don't like the barcarolle

You're completely wrong there, I'm a very very big fan of Chopin and especially of the Barcarolle.
Try it: tonight put on tempest and then Barcarolle on your stereo. Tomorrow the other way round.

As far as encores:
I think "Au bord d'une source" would be great
If you want something off-beat "Boogie Woogie etude" by morton gould
check it out for the effect on the audience:

etincelles moszkowski

Etude OP 72/6 moszkowski

I wouldn't take something that's too well known (One expects to hear the cd one has at home and doesn't go home with your "pianistic identity" ) and also not too long but go for one sparkling encore (like etincelles ) and one musical one eg (eg Siloti Bach)

[keystobeauty]

I think one of the reasons why classical music is losing ground with the public is because those of us who play and promote it tend to choose music that is too esoteric. Your program is quite impressive but I would substitute a couple of Chopin Nocturnes like the Op. 27 or a Rachmaninoff Etude like the one in E Flat minor or a few selections from the Cantos de Espana for what you have chosen. I would also choose something big and romantic for an encore or a couple of Gershwin songs, his original renditions. The audience will be touched and will remember you. There are no hackneyed pieces in a culture that extolls Taylor Swift and Beyonce.