Possible Repertoire for dipABRSM

[singingsheep]

Hello, I was wondering if you could give me any input on this program I put together. It is supposed to be 35mins +/- 3.5 mins. They say: 'In your choice of repertoire, you should aim to present a generalist programme that offers a wide-ranging yet coherent mixture of periods, style, mood and tempo . . .'

So I was going to put one in from each period, the times are estimated from You Tube videos so could be a little different when I play them!

Bach WTC Part 2 no. 11 in F 880 – 3.5 mins
Schubert Impromptu in Gb, Op.90 no.3 - 6 mins
Beethoven Sonata Pathetique – 20 mins  - C minor
Gershwin The Man I Love, I Got Rhythm – 6 mins

Total - about 35.5mins

I would appreciate any advice on whether you think that is balanced and fits their specs! Thank you.

[chopinlover01]

The only thing I'd say is that Schubert might be classified as classical. Have a backup romantic piece perhaps...

[singingsheep]

Thanks for the input - yes I was just looking at the dates of the composers and realised he is pretty much a contemporary of Beethoven. There are three other romantic pieces that I like that I could use:

Schumann Des Abends (At Evening) 4 mins 8/10  and Aufschwung (Soaring) 3 mins 9/10
Mendelssohn Prelude and Fugue in F minor: no.5 from ‘6 Preludes and Fugues’, Op.35 7 mins
Rachmaninoff  Prelude in G# minor, Op.32 no.12 2.5 mins (though he is really 20th century with romantic style so not sure about him)

Would one of these go better than another?

[symphonicdance]

Pathetique in 20 min?!  I suggest OP to check the guidelines/regulations on repeats.  I'd suggest OP to keep the original four, and add a short Chopin or Liszt work instead.  Already "German" taste in Bach, Beethoven and Schubert.  Choice of a Mendelssohn work is also a P&F, duplicate with the original Bach.  Rachmaninoff Prelude is quite romantic (to me), but why not eliminate a doubt on whether the examiner will treat as romantic or 20th century.  Good luck!

[singingsheep]

Thanks Symphonicdance, truthfully I have never timed it, only gone off the timings on You Tube and Spotify so maybe there are repeats in those.

It had not occurred to me to think which countries they were all from, but that is a very good point! If there is time once I have learned and timed them I will definitely look into your suggestion of adding a Chopin or Liszt.

Thanks for the input!

[diomedes]

Verify the timing of the Beethoven, and put in the Schumann or find some suitable Chopin. Although mostly the examiners usually focus more on quality of playing, so find something that you feel very comfortable and settled with.

Avoid the Rachmaninov modern/romantic blend along with the Schubert classical/romantic. Gives you fewer things to worry about and more time practicing which matters more.

[pianoman1349]

Because you shouldn't play the sonata with repeats, 20 minutes for pathetique is OK.

Schubert Impromptus are generally considered Romantic works for examinations, competitions, and auditions ... you will be fine.

As a purely personal observation, this program is something I would play for myself for an exam like this.  However, you will be taking a rather significant risk with the Schubert impromptu (and to an lesser extent, Pathetique), as these works are very hard to achieve success beyond an average/mediocre performance, due to their significant artistic and interpretive demands.   However, if you feel strongly about these pieces, go for it and enjoy the experience.

Best of luck!!!

[singingsheep]

The Pathetique I do feel strongly about because I like it so much, but the Schubert Impromptu I wouldn't mind substituting with the Schumann Des Abends and Aufschwung. However I understand these might be just as difficult, if not more?