Finding a piece for Cultural Convention

[desahcrup]

Hi, I just want to keep everything concise.

I'm a highschooler who's been playing the piano for 10 years. Our school will be holding a Cultural Convention where talented musicians get to perform in front of an audience and a group of judges who will evaluate your performance.

The venue will be held at my school at Jakarta in the 2nd week of March this year.

Sadly, I still haven't decided which piece should I perform.

My teacher has recommended to play one of these pieces:
Jeux d'Eau by Ravel
Danzas Argentinas by Ginastera
Nocturne for Left Hand Alone by Scriabin
Ballade No. 1 by Chopin
English Suite No. 2 or 3 by JSBach

Any other suggestions are welcome. (Remember: only one piece!)

[shasta]

I vote for the Ginastera.

[Brian Healey]

Ditto with Shasta. Danzas Argentinas slays.


Peace,
Bri

[desahcrup]

Lol. 

I forgot to say this, but last year, someone had already performed Ginastera - and in fact, this piece has already been performed for 5 consecutive years!

So please cross Ginastera out, it's my fault for not mentioning this earlier.

Feel free to ask me questions (e.g. What kind of piece do you prefer, etc) Personally, I prefer a piece that has a profound musical emotion, but slightly introverted. Last year, I performed an intense/energetic piece by Rachmaninov, now I want something completely different.

Thanks

[pianowelsh]

I'm sorry I don't quite understand your situation. Is it a showcase OR an audition for 'international' schools. I appreciate you don't want to play something thats been done for the last 5 years! Do many people play Ballade 1 in this event? I would think it is possibly one of those pieces that may be a bit done to death but it is certainly a showcase kinda piece! Is it only pianists playing or are there instrumentalists from other genres represented. I only ask because if its open to all instruments you really want something that stands out as being totally pianistic, the Ravel would be excellent in this respect and it is a very fine piece and allows you to show technique and musicality in quite a concentrated time frame. If you are looking for something about that time frame Liszt's Jeux de eau de villa d este is also very good as are any of the petraca sonettos for the Italian book and I think they would match what you describe is your temprement (nos 1&2 are more technically weighty than the third one but all are very beautifull pieces!). If you have lots of violinists and cellists playing unaccompanied Bach I would avoid the English suites. I am a huge Scriabin fan but I'm not sure that the LH nocturne is his best work really and as I said before something which capitalizes on the fact that you are a pianist and not a cellist would be the direction I would take. Do you know any of his Impromptus or even his Fantasy in Bmin (hard but worth learning) - These may also suit your temprement. Another wistful piece  of Ravel (as you seem to like Ravel) is Oiseux Triste from Mirrors, a beautiful piece and a really good calm start in that piece is SO impressive it takes the audiences breath away. Anyway Hope some of that is helpful if not for now maybe pieces to explore in the future!

[Troldhaugen]

I personally would play Jeux d'eau. Or Toccata from Le Tombeau de Couperin would be also a good piece for displaying your skill only if you have already mastered it.

[senecalakeguy]

I know that you said the Ginastera is out, but it still gets my vote!  otherwise i would go for the Bach No. 2

[desahcrup]

I'm sorry I don't quite understand your situation. Is it a showcase OR an audition for 'international' schools. I appreciate you don't want to play something thats been done for the last 5 years!

Sorry pianowelsh. 

OKAY, to make things clear, I would have to explain in greater detail.

This convention is indeed a showcase where musically gifted students from 6 international schools (JIS, TAS, SAS, ISB, ISM, ISKL) were selected to perform in front of an audience AND a group of judges.

The BEST performers by the judges' decision would be invited to perform again in front of a larger audience where parents, friends, teachers, and outsiders come to watch them play.

My goal is to: Impress the audience and the judges so I can be invited again to play in front of a larger audience.

I might sound celf-centered and egotistical, but this has been my long-term goal and I've been working really hard to achieve that, and I only play for my own enjoyment, not for a competition.

Is it only pianists playing or are there instrumentalists from other genres represented. I only ask because if its open to all instruments you really want something that stands out as being totally pianistic, the Ravel would be excellent in this respect and it is a very fine piece and allows you to show technique and musicality in quite a concentrated time frame.

The showcase is open to all instruments (brass, woodwinds, percussions, piano, strings) and vocals. Thanks, I've been playing the Ravel for several months and I've probably mastered it enough already. I do have to take the dynamic contrast into account but it is an excellent piece to perform.

If you are looking for something about that time frame Liszt's Jeux de eau de villa d este is also very good as are any of the petraca sonettos for the Italian book and I think they would match what you describe is your temprement (nos 1&2 are more technically weighty than the third one but all are very beautifull pieces!)

I also thought about playing Liszt's Jeux d'Eau de la Villa d'Este, but my teacher said that in comparison to Ravel's Jeux d'Eau, Liszt's is lagged behind. Apparently, Ravel's has passages that are beyond brilliant in terms of musicality, technique, and tone.

If you have lots of violinists and cellists playing unaccompanied Bach I would avoid the English suites. I am a huge Scriabin fan but I'm not sure that the LH nocturne is his best work really and as I said before something which capitalizes on the fact that you are a pianist and not a cellist would be the direction I would take. Do you know any of his Impromptus or even his Fantasy in Bmin (hard but worth learning)

As far as I know, none of them is playing Bach. Apparently, they choose to play technically demaning pieces such as Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen (violin) and Bruch's Violin Concerto in GMin. My cello friend is playing Fauré's Elegie (which I find more beautiful than the rest). Anyhow, I would take your advise carefully.

I'm still a bit unfamiliar with Scriabin, however, after listening to his LH Nocturne, I have grown fond of this person. Very beautiful and lyrical.

Another wistful piece  of Ravel (as you seem to like Ravel) is Oiseux Triste from Mirrors, a beautiful piece and a really good calm start in that piece is SO impressive it takes the audiences breath away.

Good guess, I do like Ravel. I've played some of his Le Tombeau de Couperin, Sonatine, Pavane, and Une Barque sur l'Ocean from Miroirs. I haven't tried Oiseaux Tristes, but I might try it after I am finished writing this response.

Thanks.

[desahcrup]

I personally would play Jeux d'eau. Or Toccata from Le Tombeau de Couperin would be also a good piece for displaying your skill only if you have already mastered it.

I've tried learning the Toccata recently. But I quit midway, knowing that my fingers are not agile and flexible enough. But in comparison, Jeux d'Eau is better because it has a special musical effect that is really pleasurable to listen to - and the tone is very intriguing.