What should I play for my audition?

[iloverach]

For some context, I'm transferring to a university that is very well known for its music school, as a non-music major. Although I'm not studying music professionally, I've always loved playing piano and couldn't be more excited when I learned that all students can take lessons at the music school. I need to do sort of an audition for that and was wondering if I could get some advice on the repertoire.

I've attempted learning many pieces, such as lots of Beethoven sonatas(Waldstein, op.7, op.101,...), Mozart concertos, Brahms rhapsody 1, Brahms capriccio, Chopin ballades(1, 4), Chopin etudes(op.10 no.2, op.10 no.7), Chopin sonata 2 and 3, Chopin scherzos, Mendelssohn variations serieuses, Rachmaninoff concerto 2, Rachmaninoff etude tableau 39 5, Rachmaninoff suite no.2, Scriabin two poems, Scriabin etudes... and the list goes on. Admittedly, the majority of my "repertoire" are well beyond my capacity.

For the audition, I need to perform 2 classical pieces of contrasting styles. I want to show that I'm serious about learning piano, so I'm thinking of going with the ones that are not too popular among "amateur pianists"(I'm aware that I sound obnoxious) such as Claire du Lune, moonlight sonata, and etc. Also, while I want to impress them, I don't want to do songs that are way too difficult(i.e., 80% of the aforementioned ones lol). What pieces should I consider? So far, I've thought of Beethoven sonata 101/ Brahms rhapsody 79 1/ Brahms Schumann variation/ Mendelssohn variations sérieuses/ Brahms sonata 1. Please let me know what you think! (any comments are appreciated)

[brogers70]

I'd say you should play something you can play very well, maybe something where the interpretive challenges are greater than the technical ones, so maybe something like the F minor or Eb Minor Intermezzi from Brahms Opus 118. Beethoven Opus 2 #1 is not as hard as some of the ones you've tried, and it's beautiful. The Haydn B minor and E minor Sonatas are great. The Bach C# minor Prelude and Fugue are definitely not easy, but not as hard as the difficult Romantic stuff you've been working on. Since you are not auditioning for a music program, I'd go for something beautiful that you love and that does not stress you out technically.

[lelle]

I agree with the suggestion to pick stuff that plays to your strengths - things you can play well, and suits your temperament/personality.

[ranjit]

In your situation, I wouldn't worry about something being overplayed as long as you play it well with feeling and originality. That is what teachers will be impressed by,  especially if it's clear that you don't have a lot of experience.

[lelle]

Reading your OP again I'm a bit surprised that you are suggesting Beethoven sonata Op. 101 as an easier piece. I'd argue the last movement is terribly difficult.