Piano Forum

Hello all,

I have recently completed my auditions for a master's program and am waiting for results from University of Colorado and University of North Texas (I am optimistic about both and have heard positive rumblings from the faculty, but I am waiting for the official results, so I'm not sure which program I will end up with yet). However, in the meantime, I am taking some time to look at new repertoire for the next year or so before jumping in to revive my program for my senior recital in May of this year. This won't necessarily involve a lot of heavyweight practicing; more like listening, score-study, and isolated practice of particularly tricky passages to get an early start before the next school year begins.

Both programs require two master's recitals, so I am playing around with a couple of different program themes, and would love some ideas or feedback as to the content (and perhaps any experience that people have with these pieces). My favorite right now is an all-Ballades program:

Chopin Ballade in G minor Op. 23
Brahms Ballades Op. 10
Liszt Ballade No. 2
Debussy Ballade
Barber Ballade
Amy Beach Ballade
Medtner Sonata-Ballade

Now clearly this is a lot of rep for one recital (about 90 minutes), so I will likely need to narrow the list down, especially as I am planning to play the Liszt Concerto No. 1 during the year as well. I am sure, however, that I want to play the Liszt and the Medtner, but that's a little short for a master's recital (looking at about 50-60 minutes of rep). I am also planning to intersperse the pieces with a lecture/presentation on the Ballade style, and the influences it received from the technique of the Sonata form, while growing beyond the constraints of classical motivic development. I also don't think I would play all 4 of the Brahms Ballades, but would likely just choose one (maybe Op. 10 No. 4). Obviously, once I know the teacher and the program they will help a great deal. Still, anyone here have any ideas or resources to look into regarding these pieces? Scores, recordings, scholarly papers, books, professors to interview, etc?

Thank you for your time!