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Topic: Exam Repertoire  (Read 800 times)

Offline ragaih

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Exam Repertoire
on: June 22, 2024, 02:53:15 PM
Hi!

Next year im taking entrance exam in Academy of Music and I have to prepare my repertoire.
1. Prelude and Fugue from Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier
2. Beethoven's sonata
3. Chopin's etude from op. 10 or 25
4. Chopin's composition

I have already prepared Chopin etude op 10 no 1 and struggle with choosing other pieces. I want to keep them on similiar level as this etude. I have thought about Chopin etude op 25 no 8 or 10 as his second piece to play. Would you recommend me some great pieces?
Thank you in advance  :)

Offline brogers70

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Re: Exam Repertoire
Reply #1 on: June 22, 2024, 03:06:41 PM
Sure, I don't know what you like, but.....

Bach C# minor P&F from Book I
Beethoven - first movement of Les Adieux sonata (or the whole thing depending on time limits)
Chopin - you said 10/1 - that's a frighteningly difficult one to perform, even some of the greats shied away from it, but up to you, and you've already learned it.
Chopin - Nocturne Opus 9 #3 in B major, one of the more difficult nocturnes and absolutely beautiful.

Offline ragaih

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Re: Exam Repertoire
Reply #2 on: June 23, 2024, 10:37:27 AM
Thank you,
Les Adieux sonata is perfect, I will consider Nocturne because it really is beautiful and probably choose between this and Chopin Prelude C sharp minor op. 45  :)

Offline jaquet

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Re: Exam Repertoire
Reply #3 on: July 21, 2024, 12:46:06 AM
For prelude in fugue do what you like tbh
For beethoven i would reccomend not taking a super super popular one like op 110 or apassionata but instead something from the middle to early period. If you take something from the late period of beethoven make sure your intpretation is mature and pretty much perfect as playing late beethoven badly can leave a bad impression ( or so ive heard- i dont really agree with the whole beethoven must be played like this, metromic blah blah blah- he was a eccentric performer according to accounts-but i digress) If you are doing two etudes do one slow one fast for slow i would reccomend to do op 25 no 7.( i believe this is the heart of the etudes and played well is very impressive) If you choose something else to pair with op 10 no 1, i would reccomend something perhaps a bit slower and longer to contrast the etude, the bolero comes to mind for some reason. Anyways good luck

Offline symphonicdance

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Re: Exam Repertoire
Reply #4 on: July 21, 2024, 03:28:12 PM
Avoid the easier P&F from WTC (i.e. those previously on graded exam syllabus of ABRSM or Trinity - if you know the UK system).

Les Adieux is pretty good if you have decided.

For the other Chopin work (in addition to etude), is there any time requirement? Most nocturnes, barcarolle, scherzos, ballades, polonaises will likely be suitable.
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