Please help me decide on competition program!

[marijn1999]

Hi guys,

So there is this competition coming up in about four months (the first rounds are on 17, 18 and 19 February 2017). I signed up for it because I've never done it before and haven't given a concert for two years now. Anyway, I thought it would be good for my devolopment to experience the stage once again.

Now, the repertoire/program requirements are very simple. You will be put into a category from 13-15, 16-18 and 19-20 years, you can basically play whatever you want as long as you don't exceed the ten minute mark too much.

So I found out (via the competition's YouTube channel that Bach has not been played very often and if played, it wasn't in the finals. So I decided to do something by Bach, also because he's my favorite composer. Next got that I think Brahms fits very well as a second piece (not all his work, but some pieces). It will be music that I have never played or practiced before. Also, I the pieces are a bit above my level, however I know them very well.

These are the combinations I was thinking of:

• Bach: Prelude and Fugue No. 20 in A minor, BWV 865 (WTC I) & Brahms: Ballade in G minor, Op. 118/3
• Bach: Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C-Sharp major, BWV 848 (WTC I) & Brahms: Intermezzo in E-flat minor, Op. 118/6
• Bach: Prelude and Fugue No. 22 in B-flat minor, BWV 891 (WTC II) & Brahms: Capriccio in B minor, Op, 76/2
• Bach: Contrapunctus No. 4 and 9 (Art of Fugue) & Brahms: Ballade in B minor, Op. 10/3

So, I really can't decide and don't even know if these are realistic. Remember, I cannot play any of the music yet (except sight reading through some of it) but know them very well. Will I be able to learn any of these programs in the fifteen weeks I have? Also, I'm totally open to suggestions for other pieces or substitutions for the ones I mentioned.

Thank you all in advance. I really appreciate it!

BW,
Marijn
[/list]

[kitty on the keys]

I like programs 2 and 3. I might swap the Bach and Brahms around. Nice choice of pieces.

Kitty  on the keys

[marijn1999]

I like programs 2 and 3. I might swap the Bach and Brahms around. Nice choice of pieces.

Kitty  on the keys

Thanks for your opinion. I appreciate it, but don't you think the program will be to dark and tragic when I paid the BWV 891 with the Op. 118/6?

Marijn

[pianoamatuer]

Be -sorta- realistic. Think about how much time you have. Think about how much practice you can fit in. What about your teacher -if so?- ? Do you think you have even a little chance of perfecting those pieces?
If you do, I say go at them. It will be a great, delightful experience for you.  Be optimistic. The people who are crazy enough to think they can do it are the people that do.
And don't worry about being a tragic tone to the piano. Is that not what you want? Play music that you want to play. Music is all about sharing emotions toward your audience. If you don't want to play a tragic piece, than might I say that you should take a look at what you want to play?

[brogers70]

I love the second option, great contrasts in mood, and they're two great pieces. The Brahms I especially love - the idea of writing a theme that only really spans a minor third and yet is so expressive!