Advice on LTCL Repertoire :)

[chopinese]

Hi, I'm in the middle of choosing pieces for my LTCL program and advice is much needed. FYI, I didn't take ATCL and I haven't been playing piano for over 10 years since my grade 8 exam. So I'm opting for safe (relatively easier) pieces. Hope you can shed some light on the following questions:

1. Is it a must or safe to include a Bach prelude and fugue in my program?  Would anyone recommend Scarlatti instead?

2. I'm deciding sonatas between Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert. Any advice eg what are the skills required by each and which one would be easier to master? (I saw from some forum saying that Mozart is a safe choice but hard to get high score. Is it true?)

3. I'm choosing amongst Chopin, Schumann and Brahms for romantic period. How would you compare the difficulties and skills required by each of them?

4. I will probably play Ginastera (Danzas Argentinas) for 21st century. Any tips?

Your advice is highly appreciated. Millions of thanks!!

[verqueue]

It depends which sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert you are taking into consideration. The same with Chopin, Schumann and Brahms. It also depends in what you are good at.
What did you play recently?
What are you good at?

[j_menz]

I will probably play Ginastera (Danzas Argentinas) for 21st century.

Since he died in 1983, 21st century seems a remarkable feat.

How do you get to start an LTCL without having played at least some pieces by the (hardly obscure) composers you're asking about?

[symphonicdance]

To me, the core intention to prepare for and take an exam is to, at least, pass it.  I think it is worthwhile for you to really go through the syllabus (download scores from ismlp.org or borrow from the library, read them while listening to youtube or CD) to find out the pieces that can show your strengths and hide your weaknesses (if any).  I passed LT and FT by self-studying (luck played an important part, too.)

1. Is it a must or safe to include a Bach prelude and fugue in my program?  Would anyone recommend Scarlatti instead?
-->  No, it is neither a must nor a safe to have Bach, or any baroque.  However, generally they are not as taxing as many other romantic, impressionist and 20th century pieces.  A friend just did Beethoven Tempest, Brahms Rhapsodies Op 79 and Ravel Jeau d'eux in her LT exam last month.  In this part of the world, most candidates, however, will have a baroque work (and more often a 10 work of Bach) in their programmes.

2. I'm deciding sonatas between Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert. Any advice eg what are the skills required by each and which one would be easier to master? (I saw from some forum saying that Mozart is a safe choice but hard to get high score. Is it true?)
--> Technically difficulty is one thing, but you also need to know the styles, and typical structures of their sonatas.  It also depends on whether you have played their sonatas before.  Also, it is not a must to have a sonata or classical sonata in the programme.

3. I'm choosing amongst Chopin, Schumann and Brahms for romantic period. How would you compare the difficulties and skills required by each of them?
--> My answer is similar to Q2.  Some of the Chopin etudes and nocturnes are actually good choices, and they aren't seriously technically challenging.  I enjoyed and played romantic works, and much more experience in them than baroque and 20th century.  However, at the end, I didn't have any romantic work in my final LT programme.  It goes back to my core intention, i.e. what would likely provide me with a higher chance to pass it.

4. I will probably play Ginastera (Danzas Argentinas) for 21st century. Any tips?
--> You mean 20th century?  Not an easy piece (to me!) and good luck!  I trust you have good experience in dance music and S. American music.

Good luck!