Piano Forum

Topic: Piano Performance Masters Audition Repertoire  (Read 1089 times)

Offline blastzit

  • PS Silver Member
  • Newbie
  • ***
  • Posts: 11
Piano Performance Masters Audition Repertoire
on: July 21, 2024, 10:06:12 PM
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?



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!
Sign up for a Piano Street membership to download this piano score.
Sign up for FREE! >>
Sign up for a Piano Street membership to download this piano score.
Sign up for FREE! >>
Sign up for a Piano Street membership to download this piano score.
Sign up for FREE! >>
Sign up for a Piano Street membership to download this piano score.
Sign up for FREE! >>
Sign up for a Piano Street membership to download this piano score.
Sign up for FREE! >>
Sign up for a Piano Street membership to download this piano score.
Sign up for FREE! >>

Offline jaquet

  • PS Silver Member
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 105
Re: Piano Performance Masters Audition Repertoire
Reply #1 on: July 22, 2024, 12:35:11 PM
Hi there, I would reccomend having something a bit slower to contrast these works. These are all quite heavy and technical works. Maybe something easier to show off your musicality and character. Unless you play the appasionata really well and with some level of artistic depth, you should be alright (but please make sure it is perfect!)If it isnt i would reccomend one of the more middle sonatas e.g 16(much much more difficult than it looks with lots of room for intpretation in 2nd movment) or 18. Of course the earlier ones are also quite good. I think you should keep the chopin etude if you play it well and switch the scriabin etude- this is just my opinion. But its good to have a chopni etude on these auditions. Honestly its not so much the pieces, but showing that you yourself have a wide range in different styles and have some artistic depth. Please play these pieces with your own character, and not robotically- as mozart said. it must flow like oil. Good luck and practice hard as it just matters how well you play them.


Ps- as another tip, it is much more impressive to play bach or mozart very well compared to chopin or liszt or majority of other composers. How often do you hear of someone who plays mozart or bach very very well- its much rarer compared to chopin intpreters, because its harder, and of course less liked (generally).
 

Logo light pianostreet.com - the website for classical pianists, piano teachers, students and piano music enthusiasts.

Subscribe for unlimited access

Sign up

Follow us

Piano Street Digicert