My college audition program!

[ernestog123]

Hello, everyone! I am currently a junior in high school and will soon be applying to different colleges/conservatories later this year and early next year and I was wondering what your thoughts are on my (general) repertoire choices(?)

Baroque: Bach - Prelude and Fugue in a minor No. 20 Bk. 1
Classical sonata: Beethoven - Sonata in A Major Op. 2 No. 2 (Complete)
"Substantial" Romantic work: Chopin - Scherzo No. 4 Op. 54
"Virtuosic" Etude: Chopin - Etude Op. 10 No. 4
20th Century work: Bartok - Out of Doors

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

[pianoman1349]

It's a really good program.  Some people on this forum will likely say that it is very unadventuresome and safe, but your program is very good for auditions to most schools.

From my own experiences auditioning (and also the experiences of my friends), make sure you have at least one of your audition pieces that you genuinely feel passionate about, as virtually all auditions will ask you to choose which piece you want to start with.  Whether it is your bach fugue, or chopin scherzo, or Bartok out of doors, or Beethoven sonata, just make sure you pick something that you will be able to play well, no matter what happens.

What schools are you auditioning for??  BEST OF LUCK!!!

[michael_sayers]

I wouldn't have two selections by the same composer on it.


Mvh,
Michael

[le_poete_mourant]

I don't see anything wrong with having two compositions by Chopin as long as one of them is an etude. Chopin etudes are basically the gold standard (Juilliard requires two etudes: and one MUST be Chopin). If you have a Chopin piece as your major romantic work, I see nothing wrong with that.

[diomedes]

Interesting choices, especially the Bach, it's a monster.

[visitor]

I don't see anything wrong with having two compositions by Chopin as long as one of them is an etude. Chopin etudes are basically the gold standard (Juilliard requires two etudes: and one MUST be Chopin). If you have a Chopin piece as your major romantic work, I see nothing wrong with that.

'not anything wrong w/...." and 'optimal' for setting oneself up for best chances of success are not necessarily one and the same. 

if one is exceptional enough, it hardly matters, but in a very competitive scenario, and with a subjective panel, it can make a difference sometimes.  This is where it pays to research, ie interview current students, how many successfully auditioned with two works by same composer, how many got in by taking a more varied approach? what is the likelihood of a ton of other students bringing in works by the same composer?  etc.

'know your audience, and 'know the competition' are key things to keep in mind in these scenarios.

again like you said, it's 'ok' and all, but it would depend on the above for me if i wanted to 'risk it' 

[chopinlover01]

For something as small as having an etude of Chopin and a scherzo, I'd say to focus more on how you're playing the material than what you're playing.
You could play a Liszt etude, sure, or perhaps a Schumann etude, but if you play them horribly, you're far better off playing Chopin.

[pianoman1349]

For something as small as having an etude of Chopin and a scherzo, I'd say to focus more on how you're playing the material than what you're playing.
You could play a Liszt etude, sure, or perhaps a Schumann etude, but if you play them horribly, you're far better off playing Chopin.

I agree completely with this.  For my own auditions, i included the Chopin Op. 10 #4 and the fourth ballade which was acceptable and even encouraged by many faculty members.  I think you will be fine with what you play as long as you play it well.

[le_poete_mourant]

if one is exceptional enough, it hardly matters, but in a very competitive scenario, and with a subjective panel, it can make a difference sometimes. 
'know your audience, and 'know the competition' are key things to keep in mind in these scenarios.

again like you said, it's 'ok' and all, but it would depend on the above for me if i wanted to 'risk it' 

If this is a college audition program, the faculty should be able to tell what you're capable of regardless of whether you play two things by Chopin or not. Schools that ask for one etude and one Romantic work without specifying which composer indicates to me that it doesn't matter at all. They're looking for proficiency and a way to evaluate your level. Innovative programming is not important in an audition as it is in a recital or competition.

[ernestog123]

I chose the Chopin due to the reason that le_poete_mourant stated; some schools require an etude to be by Chopin and I knew that most conservatories would more likely accept a Chopin etude. With that being said, I also do have Liszt's TE #11 and #12 prepared.

Actually, I did the same with the Bach... Originally I was going to play the Fantasia and Fugue in a minor BWV 904 but, switched to a p&f because I knew that it would more likely be accepted by conservatories.

[toby1]

Standard in the USA sounds way higher than in my state in Australia . I auditioned with a Handel Fugue in F minor,  Prelude no 2 by Gershwin, and the first movement of Mozart's Sonata in A major. Also Des Abends from Schumann's Fantasiestucke and was accepted here.

I'll only start Bach P&Fs next semester and I'm in 2nd year of a 3 year degree. I've currently been doing Bach 2 part inventions as my baroque works. You must have some great teachers there too.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

It's a really good program.  Some people on this forum will likely say that it is very unadventuresome and safe, but your program is very good for auditions to most schools.

If you played gaspard de la nuit or petrouchka people would still say that it's safe lol