Senior Recital Repertoire Help

[dhpenguin7]

Hi! I’m going into my senior year of college and trying to decide on rep. I have most of it down but I still havent decided on my major romantic piece.

I was originally going to play Chopin's Barcarolle; but my professor mentioned that I would have to pair it with two other etudes—the Ocean and Cello etudes. While I love both etudes, and especially the Barcarolle, I wonder if pairing all that together may be too heavy on the Chopin.

So I’m back to the chopping block with choosing a piece. My professor recommended both Fantasy in F and Ballade no 4, both of which I like. If I am feeling very ambitious, my professor also mentioned Schumann Carnaval as a possibility.

Considering the rest of my program so far, what do you think could fit well? I’m always open to suggestions as well:

- Ravel Jeux Deau
- Bach Partita No. 2
- Haydn Sonata in A Major XVI:26
- Libermann Gargoyles / Ginastera Malomba (Deciding between the two)

[thorn]

I'd go with the Barcarolle paired with those etudes, if you love all three pieces. Your teacher wouldn't have suggested it if they thought it was too much Chopin in one program- they know how the assessment works.

And I think the Ginastera would make a better ending than the Liebermann, it needs something light after all that serious music.

[dhpenguin7]

Hey I appreciate the response! Yeah I agree with you that the Barcarolle might be a smart choice, especially since I have already learned the other two etudes. I guess the only hesitation is that my professor wasn’t fully satisfied when I recommended the Barcarolle. They seem to prefer ballade no.4 and fantasie more, which made me reconsider since I also want to value my professor’s perspective.

I also was leaning towards the Ginastera—I think it’ll be good addition to the program. Thanks again for the help!

[aleocha]

From a strictly musical point of view - I'm not sure what you're looking for stylistically - but the Jeux d'eau is an amazing piece of music. Just listen to the Martha Argerich recording in her Debut Album. I'm nowhere near the standard needed to play it but from the looks of it, it seems you really want to go for the Bacarolle, and from my experience, you play best what you want to learn. 

Have fun!
aleocha

[dhpenguin7]

Yes the Jeux d'eau is an amazing piece! I’ve actually ‘learned’ it already, super happy to be playing it in my senior recital. Yeah you might be right on the Barcarolle, it’s always so hard to choose with so much good music out there 😓