Picking a piece... I need help

[leoz909]

I'm a late intermediate pianist currently in high school. I want to pick a piece for a competition, but i'm having trouble deciding. I don't want something overplayed like liebestraum, but it shouldn't be too obscure. I apologize if I have too many requests, but I want to play a piece that's competition-grade but also fun.
Most importantly, it should improve my technique, as I'm currently ok at octaves, chords, and scales, but I need improvement in arpeggios and left hand technique. Some pieces I played recently include Mendlessohn's Rondo Capriccioso and Gershwin's First Prelude. I especially enjoyed playing the Rondo Capriccioso, since it helped my technique while also being impressive. I understand being flashy isn't everything, but since it's for a competition I want it to have some sort of "wow factor" if you know what I mean. Again I apologize for the long-winded request, and any help would be appreciated.

I've looked at pieces like Chopin 48/1, Granados Maiden and the Nightningale, as well as Pletnev's Pas De Deux (which is probably too hard for me).

Something harder than Rondo Capriccioso is probably good. Thanks in advance for the help!

[dizzyfingers]

Piano Library enables you to sort pieces by difficulty-composer-piece.
You can browse all the pieces that they consider as the same difficulty as Rondo Capriccioso.

https://www.pianolibrary.org/difficulty/4/

One piece listed there that we've recently been discussing here is
Faure - Barcarolle no. 3 in G-flat major, op. 42 (7' 30")

I also encourage you to post a video of your R.C. so we can realistically recommend a piece based on your abilities...

best of luck!

[jetrohbagonya21]

Maybe an etude from Rachmaninoff's opus 33 will work. Etude no. 7/8 has a pretty insane climax to wow the judges, and it could help you with legato, phrasing, rubato, and dynamics, but it might be under your level. Etude 4 would also be a good piece that I'm pretty sure is harder than the Rondo Capriccioso. Have fun at the competition!