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Topic: Conservatory Audition Repertoire (Read 6008 times)

klaviergabe

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Posts: 2

Conservatory Audition Repertoire

on: December 17, 2025, 03:38:55 AM

Hello! I’m a junior in high school looking to go to a music school (I have aims for the Reina Sofia in Spain, or any good conservatory really) and I had just spoken with my teacher in regards to what pieces I should learn. Keep in mind my repertoire consists of, Chopin Polonaise Op. 44, Etude Op. 10 No. 1, Barcarolle op. 60 (current work in progress,) Bach C Minor P&F WTC Book I, and Villa Lobos Impressoes Seresteiras from Ciclo Brasileiro. This has been about 2 and a half years with my new teacher in which I started to genuinely take the interest in my instrument seriously…

We’ve spoken about repertoire, and she suggested the following:
Chopin Ballade #4 Op.52
Beethoven Sonata Op. 31 n.2 “The Tempest”
Bach E Minor P&F WTC Book 2 (or optionally the E minor toccata and fugue)
Prokofiev Sonata Op.1 No.1
…and of course the Chopin Etude i had learned previously.

There’s some concerns I have with this repertoire. First of all, I have never fully learned a Beethoven Sonata or studied one. Although I would consider the Tempest feasible, I fear it is maybe overplayed. I’m also concerned on the contemporary piece chosen, and if there’s any recommendations for certain pieces. (preferably by someone like Debussy or Ravel, however anything works!)

Any type of comment is appreciated!

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rachmaninoff_forever

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Posts: 5152

Re: Conservatory Audition Repertoire

Reply #1 on: December 17, 2025, 04:43:13 PM

Ravel and Debussy aren’t contemporary. The died 100 years ago.

At this point every Beethoven sonata is overplayed so I wouldn’t stress about doing tempest either.

The jury has heard every piece on your program a million times, so the contemporary piece is really something you can go out with. I’d look at something from Carl Vine (although still he’s quite popular) or go on a living composer/21st century composer rabbit hole on YouTube. Or even late 20th century (although still not contemporary) like Arno babajanian, ligeti or something.

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thorn

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Posts: 979

Re: Conservatory Audition Repertoire

Reply #2 on: December 17, 2025, 05:44:03 PM

Agree with the above re. Tempest.

As for the 20/21st century piece, since your main target is a Spanish conservatory why not a Spanish piece (whether Granados/Albeniz/Falla or a living Spanish composer)? I agree that the Prokofiev sonata is a weird choice on your teacher's part, why would anyone play 2 sonatas in one audition?

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klaviergabe

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Posts: 2

Re: Conservatory Audition Repertoire

Reply #3 on: December 17, 2025, 09:34:07 PM

Quote from: thorn on December 17, 2025, 05:44:03 PM

I agree that the Prokofiev sonata is a weird choice on your teacher's part, why would anyone play 2 sonatas in one audition?

One of her students and my personal friends applied to schools in the US (Cleveland, Curtis, Juilliard, UMiami, and others) with two sonatas, those being Rachmaninoff Sonata No.2 and Mozart Sonata No.15 K.533, however I personally would prefer doing something else. She said it’d be acceptable using the Villa Lobos piece I had learned, but I’m still exploring my options (as this is rather 20th century than contemporary.)

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liszt-and-the-galops

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Posts: 2637

Re: Conservatory Audition Repertoire

Reply #4 on: December 17, 2025, 11:37:23 PM

Quote from: rachmaninoff_forever on December 17, 2025, 04:43:13 PM

I’d look at something from Carl Vine (although still he’s quite popular) or go on a living composer/21st century composer rabbit hole on YouTube. Or even late 20th century (although still not contemporary) like Arno babajanian, ligeti or something.

As I'm sure everyone has different niche knowledge of contemporary-era composers, I'll add a few names from my head to this list:
Kaija Saariaho
Jack Gibbons
If you're up for the difficulty (possibly including re-transcription), then Gyorgy Cziffra.

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thorn

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Sr. Member
Posts: 979

Re: Conservatory Audition Repertoire

Reply #5 on: December 18, 2025, 06:58:24 PM

Some starting points I'd suggest for exploring contemporary repertoire are:
the ABRSM Spectrum anthologies,
the students of Messiaen (he was a prolific teacher),
this YT channel (no affiliation, just enjoy his playing and have discovered some nice pieces from here)
www.youtube.com/@RicardoDescalzo

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Piano Street Magazine:Chopin and His Europe Festival Returns

Topic: Conservatory Audition Repertoire (Read 6008 times)

Piano Street Magazine:New Piano Piece by Chopin Discovered – Free Piano Score

Piano Street Magazine:
Chopin and His Europe Festival Returns

Piano Street Magazine:
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