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!!

[chopinlover01]

1) Yes. A Bach P&F is a must, for the most part. Scarlatti instead will make you stand out... but not nessecarily in a good way. It depends on the examiners, however, each one will like something different.
2) I would personally go with Mozart or Haydn. Both of them represent the Classical period greatly as a whole, and there really isn't such a thing as an easy Beethoven Sonata. While many of them would be at a grade 8 level, if you haven't been playing for ten years, you'll find it veery difficult.
3) Schumann- Not qualified to talk about him, have played very little
    Brahms- He's great, but ONLY if you can play him well. If you can, go for it, but if you have any doubts, I'd wait. Some great pieces for Brahms are his Intermezzi, I believe Op 119
    Chopin- As much as I love him (see my name for f*** sake), he's played quite often. Maybe it's not a bad thing, but I could imagine the groans of the examiners if one more examinee comes in with Fantasie Impromptu. If you're going to play Chopin, I'd recommend either a waltz (Op 18 would be a fun one) or a polonaise (Op 40/1, Military, is a great one, but don't neglect the lesser played ones. For your own enjoyment, there's a very easy one in G minor that you could probably  have polished in a month or so). The nocturnes, as much as we love them, are again, played quite often. If you do play a nocturne, do a less played one, perhaps 32/1 (B major). At least, I haven't heard it played much anyways.

[chopinese]

Thank you so much for the advice!!

For some of the pieces recommended by you, I found them on the ATCL syllabus but not LTCL.
The following works by Chopin are in LTCL syllabus:
- Any of the four Scherzi
- Any two contrasting Études from op. 10 (I was considering no.3 and no.5 - any comments and tips??)
- Any two contrasting Études from op. 25
- Any one of Ballades, nos. 1, 2 or 4
- Barcarolle op. 60
- Nocturne in F major, op. 15 no. 1
- Nocturne in C# minor, op. 27 no. 1
- Nocturne in Db major, op. 27 no. 2
- Nocturne in C minor, op. 48 no. 1
- Polonaise in F# minor, op. 44
- Polonaise in Ab, op. 53
- Polonaise Fantasy in Ab, op. 61
- Variations in E, op. posth.

Any good yet not so technically demanding pieces that you would recommend?

What did you play for LTCL exam? Would be grateful if you could share your experience with me! 

[verqueue]

I think the easiest technically will be two etudes you choosen or nocturnes op. 27.  But still this will not be easy.  You can try also Etudes: c# minor and c minor op. 25.

I played (BA performance exam, so the equivalent one to LTCL):
Bach - Prelude and Fugue E flat minor WTC I
Beethoven - Sonata Ab major op. 81a
Chopin - Ballade F major
Scriabin - Etude c# minor op. 42 no 5.