Piano Forum

Hi! I know this topic has been posted a million times, but I’d like some advice as well. I will be auditioning to music schools next year for a masters program, and I’m currently thinking of choosing some pieces to play from the following list:

- Bach: Prelude and Fugue in C# major, Bk. 1 WTC (learning)
- Beethoven: Appassionata
- Chopin: Ballade 4
- Scriabin: Sonata 4
- Chopin: Etude 10/4
- Scriabin: Etude 42/5
- Ravel: La Valse (learning)

I’ve seen people saying that Appassionata, Ballade 4 and Etude 10/4 are too overplayed. Should I choose something else? Out of these I think the one I would like to keep the most is the ballade. I do learn pieces quite quickly but the auditions (in the UK) are coming up in a few months, so I wouldn’t have time to completely relearn a new repertoire.

As for the etudes, maybe I should just give up the Chopin and choose something else? Some US schools specifically require a Chopin etude, but I do want to play something from Rachmaninoff Etude-Tableaux Op. 39, maybe No. 1 or 8 (since they are less popular), are these good pieces to choose?

I’m also afraid that the repertoire is not difficult enough (I see people playing Rach sonata 2 or Liszt sonata etc, which seem quite substantial - I’ve learnt part of the Rach sonata and I didn’t have time to complete it). I would say La Valse is quite difficult but also on the other hand isn’t that good of an audition piece. Since some US schools only allow one 20C piece, maybe I should choose something more modern, like Ligeti? If so, what are your suggestions?

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For reference, here are the required pieces for Julliard:
1. Bach: Any major work. A prelude and fugue is acceptable. Transcriptions are not permitted.
2. One of the following:
- An entire sonata by Beethoven (excluding Opp. 14, 49, and 79), or
- One of the following Haydn sonatas: Hob. 20, 23, 32, 46, 49, 50, 52, or
- One of the following Mozart sonatas: K. 281, 284, 310, 332, 333, 457, 533, or 576, or
- One of the following Schubert sonatas: D. 568, 664, 784, 845, 850, 894, 958, 959, 960, or the Wanderer Fantasie, D. 760.
3. A substantial composition by Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, Liszt, or Mendelssohn. Etudes, nocturnes, short dances, waltzes, or comparable pieces are not acceptable. *No individual movements or partial works are permitted in this category.
4. One virtuosic etude by Chopin
5. A substantial work, or a collection of shorter works, of the applicant’s choice, which is: in a different style and by a composer not listed in the previous requirements, and no fewer than six minutes.

And for the UK ones, it’s usually just ~50 minutes of free repertoire including an advanced etude.

Thanks!