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Topic: Chopin pieces suitable for competitions  (Read 136 times)

Offline bach-busoni chaconne

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Chopin pieces suitable for competitions
on: November 22, 2025, 11:01:05 AM
Hi everyone,
My piano teacher told me that pieces like Ballade No. 1 and most of Chopin's mazurkas aren't good choices for competitions due to varying interpretations. However, he told me I can use pieces like Scherzo No. 4 in comps.
I wonder which Chopin pieces are good/suitable for competitions? For example, for the following list, which are good competition pieces and why/why not? Comments on all Chopin pieces are of course welcome as well. Thanks for letting me know!

List:
-Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Op. 60
-Ballade No. 2 in F major, Op. 38
-Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52
-Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54
-Berceuse in D-flat major, Op. 57


2026 Goal:
Bach-Busoni: Chaconne in D Minor, BWV 1004
Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit, M. 55
Scriabin: Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 53
Stravinsky: Trois Mouvements de "Pétrouchka" / Stravinsky-Agosti: Firebird

Offline thorn

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Re: Chopin pieces suitable for competitions
Reply #1 on: November 22, 2025, 12:25:49 PM
It depends on the competition. I played the Berceuse in a district competition many years ago (and won) but wouldn't have thought it suitable for a larger competition (not technically/musically substantial enough).

Offline lelle

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Re: Chopin pieces suitable for competitions
Reply #2 on: November 22, 2025, 01:49:01 PM
I think the first ballade is a bit of a special case because many pianists have such strong and differing opinions on how to interpret that piece.

But it depends on the competition. I can think of many smaller / more local competitions where you could play the first ballade no problem.

Offline bach-busoni chaconne

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Re: Chopin pieces suitable for competitions
Reply #3 on: November 22, 2025, 02:06:12 PM
Any thoughts on the barcarolle?
2026 Goal:
Bach-Busoni: Chaconne in D Minor, BWV 1004
Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit, M. 55
Scriabin: Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 53
Stravinsky: Trois Mouvements de "Pétrouchka" / Stravinsky-Agosti: Firebird

Offline lelle

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Re: Chopin pieces suitable for competitions
Reply #4 on: November 24, 2025, 11:23:05 AM
It's certainly an option.
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