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Topic: Competition repertoire (Read 92 times)

brian2056

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 3

Hi all,

I'm currently planning my program for a competition coming up next March. I've drafted something, but I'm looking for some criticism to make sure it's as strong as possible. Would you mind taking a look and letting me know your thoughts?"

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Video Audition (up to 25 ~ 30 mins)

Bach BWV 849 prelude and fugue in C# minor (9.5 mins)
Chopin op.10 nos. 1, 2 (3.5 mins)
Haydn Hob.37 (9 mins)
Ravel Alborada del gracioso from Miroirs (6.5 mins)
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Solo Recital (30 ~ 35 mins)

Prokofiev piano sonata no.7 (19 mins)
Liszt Transcendental etude no.5 (3.5 mins)
Ravel Ondine from gaspard de la nuit (6.5 mins)
Competition mandatory contemporary piece (5 mins)
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Concertos

Beethoven 3rd piano concerto
Rachmaninov 2nd piano concerto
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Thank you so much!

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thorn

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 793

Re: Competition repertoire

Reply #1 on: June 01, 2025, 11:48:50 AM

The first program looks great. For the second program I wonder if Feux Follets and Ondine are too similar...

And this isn't a suggestion or criticism, but I'm curious about your concerto choices? Given your two programs I was surprised you're not playing a Ravel or Prokofiev. Is this to show stylistic variety, or is there a given list you have to pick from? Like I said it's just a curiosity, not a criticism!

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brian2056

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 3

Re: Competition repertoire

Reply #2 on: June 01, 2025, 12:41:07 PM

Quote from: thorn on June 01, 2025, 11:48:50 AM

The first program looks great. For the second program I wonder if Feux Follets and Ondine are too similar...

And this isn't a suggestion or criticism, but I'm curious about your concerto choices? Given your two programs I was surprised you're not playing a Ravel or Prokofiev. Is this to show stylistic variety, or is there a given list you have to pick from? Like I said it's just a curiosity, not a criticism!

Hello, thank you for your comment!

I chose Beethoven and Rachmaninoff to provide stylistic variety, as you previously mentioned. I'm curious—was there a particular reason you expected my concerto program to be one of Ravel or Prokofiev? I thought that Ravel's G major concerto might not be ideal for a competition, as it's about half the length of most other concertos and for Prokofiew I was hesitant to include it as I already have one big prokofiew.

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thorn

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 793

Re: Competition repertoire

Reply #3 on: June 01, 2025, 05:51:36 PM

Quote from: brian2056 on June 01, 2025, 12:41:07 PM

I'm curious—was there a particular reason you expected my concerto program to be one of Ravel or Prokofiev? I thought that Ravel's G major concerto might not be ideal for a competition, as it's about half the length of most other concertos and for Prokofiew I was hesitant to include it as I already have one big prokofiew.

Since you have Ravel on both programs, and chose a Prokofiev sonata, I thought that perhaps French/modernist repertoire was a personal strength you were playing to. In that case I wondered why you opted for something different for the concerto (which you just answered). Not necessarily a Ravel/Prokofiev concerto but something in that sound world if it's what you're good at. Though I know this can be difficult for competitions- the only true Impressionist concerto I know is Falla which most people feel lacks technical fireworks in the piano part, and if you go too modern with a concerto there's a risk the orchestra won't know it so someone who picks a concerto the orchestra does know will win.

Anyway, it was just curiosity vs. pointing out a "problem" or anything. Good luck!

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