college auditions ROUND TWO

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Alright so the general deal for grad school is pretty much the same as undergrad auditions except you just have to have more ish to play.  So in case you were curious this is what I'm thinking

Beethoven Op 81.  But I just started Op 111 and depending on how that goes I might just play that.  Actually I'd prefer to play that because Op 111 is a heavy hitter.  BUT still Op 81 ain't no joke

I hate etudes I think they're boring.  But I already learned Chopins G flat major a few semesters ago so I'll go with that.  

What else...  Romantic?  Uuuuuh I have a few Rachmaninoff moment musicals?  OR I could do the Gaspard de la Nuit if they accept it as romantic.  I think that's a tricky one to place I'd have to ask around.  But I'm definitely putting that in there cause it's a BIG heavy hitter

And if they ask for something contemporary Id do Ligeti etude 1 book 1.  Or a short Carl Vine piece. Ligeti might be too much

Let me know if I missed anything

[mjames]

post your sht when you decide what to play!
and yes play gaspard de la nuit

[chopinlover01]

Op 81a is also a very heavy hitter. Personally, I'd advise it over Op. 111, which is more popular among students from what I've gathered.
Gaspard de la Nuit is definitely NOT in the Romantic period; Ravel was an Impressionist (or Post-Impressionist if you're a strict and decisive music historian), so everything he wrote is more than likely gonna be put into that category.
You could ask about programming the entire Rach Op. 16. Or a Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody or something. Schumann also has some options, as does Chopin (the ballades and scherzi are common picks, but you could do something like the Op. 49 Fantasie or the Op. 61 Polonaise-Fantasy).
Etudes are a wide category. Typically grad schools require 1 Chopin and 1 other challenging etude by a different composer, don't they? If that's the case, a Chopin etude and a Ligeti etude would be great contrasts. Also consider Rachmaninoff etudes tableaux- but if you program the Op. 16, I'd stay away from them (too much of one composer, could throw off your audition). If you're going to (have to) do a Chopin etude, I'd pick a hard one than the black key etude (or any of the G flat etudes, there's one in Op. 25). I'd go with one of the big ones; Op. 10/1, 2, 4, 7, or 10, and Op. 25/3, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 11 (12 is a bit less daunting and music schools know this; but if you can pull it off, by all means!).
For 20th century, Ligeti would be a good choice. Also look into Medtner if you want something more romantic.
Good luck on your audition!

[visitor]

looks like it's all off to a decent start. I like your building it on bread and butter lit, ie the  Beethoven is a solid and appropriate choice.  What's the time limit/cap and what's the expectation of representing all major or a good number of styles from common practice period through modern/contemporary?

Handel might be something to think about sticking in there.  There's also Rameau or Couperin to consider but Handel might be safer for this type of gig.

What about classical?  Right now you have a heavy slant to romantic w/ the late Beethoven and the Chopin etude.  the Ravel is different distinct. What about the set of Vine Bagatelles? that might work.

so yeah, look at maybe sticking some Handel, or later period JC Bach for early classical? What does your teacher say and what do the programs you would likely apply for ask of you? At this level you want to show case an very high level of refinement and understanding of lit, ie sensitive  and convincing playing but also a bit of individuality should come through at this point, you want to show creativity and development as an interpretive performing artist. it's a difficult line to straddle but you can do it.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Gaspard de la Nuit is definitely NOT in the Romantic period; Ravel was an Impressionist (or Post-Impressionist if you're a strict and decisive music historian), so everything he wrote is more than likely gonna be put into that category.

Yeah I know that but the thing is a lot of schools don't have an impressionist category

It's romantic and then straight to contemporary so they skip like 100 years

But then there might be 20th century but there's like 10 different genres so idk what to do there

And I definitely wanna play Gaspard but it doesn't fit in any category  

[rachmaninoff_forever]

looks like it's all off to a decent start. I like your building it on bread and butter lit, ie the  Beethoven is a solid and appropriate choice.  What's the time limit/cap and what's the expectation of representing all major or a good number of styles from common practice period through modern/contemporary?

Handel might be something to think about sticking in there.  There's also Rameau or Couperin to consider but Handel might be safer for this type of gig.

What about classical?  Right now you have a heavy slant to romantic w/ the late Beethoven and the Chopin etude.  the Ravel is different distinct. What about the set of Vine Bagatelles? that might work.

so yeah, look at maybe sticking some Handel, or later period JC Bach for early classical? What does your teacher say and what do the programs you would likely apply for ask of you? At this level you want to show case an very high level of refinement and understanding of lit, ie sensitive  and convincing playing but also a bit of individuality should come through at this point, you want to show creativity and development as an interpretive performing artist. it's a difficult line to straddle but you can do it.

Oh dang I forgot Bach

The Bb minor one from book 1 is solid I think.

Im gonna talk to him but I haven't yet

[quantum]

If JS Bach is not a strict requirement, you might want to consider a Bach contemporary or pre-Bach work. 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Chopin 25 12 and Ligeti étude 5 book 1

The Ligeti is slow and it's definitely the easiest one so idk how the judges are gonna like that

[ajlongspiano]

What about something by Scriabin for the romantic category? The B minor Fantasy would be a wonderful choice. It's a great piece, and the faculty would be surprised as well, because no one really plays it. Best of luck in your auditions!

Best,

AJ

[chopinlover01]

It would work, except for the fact that a) that particular piece was written in 1900 and b) Scriabin is definitely not a romantic era composer, romantic as his music may be
Still though, that would definitely be a wonderful choice for your 20th century pick; just in time for it, too!

[ajlongspiano]

I actually read somewhere that professors count 20th century as 1901 on haha. But even if it was a later piece, you could probably still use it as a romantic piece. I would just email the school to double check. A lot of it has to do with the music's character, not just the time period it was written in. This is why a lot of people use Preludes from op.23/32 by Rachmaninoff to fulfill their romantic music requirement, even though the sets were written post 1900.


Best,

AJ

[rachmaninoff_forever]

It would work, except for the fact that a) that particular piece was written in 1900 and b) Scriabin is definitely not a romantic era composer, romantic as his music may be
Still though, that would definitely be a wonderful choice for your 20th century pick; just in time for it, too!

He's a weird guy he has like two COMPLETRLY OPPOSITE styles

[ajlongspiano]

He's a weird guy he has like two COMPLETRLY OPPOSITE styles

Opium does that!

Best,

AJ

[visitor]

you might also consider JCF Fisher work(s), this one is lovely but a little on the short side but gives a nice idea of his sound

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Caspar_Ferdinand_Fischer

[rachmaninoff_forever]

you might also consider JCF Fisher work(s), this one is lovely but a little on the short side but gives a nice idea of his sound

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Caspar_Ferdinand_Fischer

That's the dude who Bach got his inspiration to do the WTC from right?

[visitor]

That's the dude who Bach got his inspiration to do the WTC from right?

**kudos to your school if you picked this up in music history, or theory /another core course in your time there
yep  
"...Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer was a major influence in transmitting the LuIlian style to Germany. Of his celebrated keyboard collections, the Ariadlle musica neo-organoedum (1702) is particularly relevant to J.S. Bach. The paired preludes and fugues cover no fewer than 19 keys. At least two of J.S. Bach's subjects in The Well-tempered Clavier Part I (BWV 846-869) suggest the influence of J.C.F. Fischer, and an early version of Bach's collection partly follows J.C.F. Fischer's ordering, with the minor mode preceding the major...."

extensive background info and highly recc reading
https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Fischer-Johann-Caspar-Ferdinand.htm

 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

**kudos to your school if you picked this up in music history, or theory /another core course in your time there
yep  
"...Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer was a major influence in transmitting the LuIlian style to Germany. Of his celebrated keyboard collections, the Ariadlle musica neo-organoedum (1702) is particularly relevant to J.S. Bach. The paired preludes and fugues cover no fewer than 19 keys. At least two of J.S. Bach's subjects in The Well-tempered Clavier Part I (BWV 846-869) suggest the influence of J.C.F. Fischer, and an early version of Bach's collection partly follows J.C.F. Fischer's ordering, with the minor mode preceding the major...."

extensive background info and highly recc reading
https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Lib/Fischer-Johann-Caspar-Ferdinand.htm

 

Got it from piano lit

[rachmaninoff_forever]

How does Brahms op 79 no 2 sound?

I need a romantic piece from chppin, Schumann, Liszt, or Brahms that's not an étude, short dance, waltz, prelude or nocturne...

[visitor]

How does Brahms op 79 no 2 sound?

I need a romantic piece from chppin, Schumann, Liszt, or Brahms that's not an étude, short dance, waltz, prelude or nocturne...

it's a good piece, I played it in undergrad, it's generally considered the less demanding of the two, for a grad audition if you like it , i might lean towards op 79 n 1
ie Sumera does a really nice job of it here

how long are you looking for on this category, would something shorter be  acceptable and you choose something longer for other category? this is really nice but wasn't sure if it's too short for your needs, particularly like what Kuwaraha does w it in this recording