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Topic: Help with competition repertoire  (Read 6579 times)

Online ned174849

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Help with competition repertoire
on: December 18, 2025, 08:32:50 PM
I’m currently choosing and starting repertoire for a competition in the following months as well as competitions in general. For this particular competition, without too much detail basically requires 50 minutes of repertoire and a Bach prelude and fugue. For the Bach I already chose the C# major from book one. As far as other pieces go I’m currently considering doing Medtner’s Canzona Matinata and sonata tragica from op 39, a larger work or collection of works maybe a classical sonata, and a more 20th century work, Currently considering a selection from Messiaen Vingt Regards such as Le Baiser or Liebermann Gragoyles Op 29. Something like that or maybe even Ravel’s Valses Nobles et Sentimentales. As for the larger scale work I am currently not sure what I want to do and I’m open to suggestions. Taken all the other repertoire I listed as possibilities it would need to be something at least around 20 minutes in length. Any suggestions and thoughts on the repertoire I mentioned are welcome  ;D
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Offline rachmaninoff_forever

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Re: Help with competition repertoire
Reply #1 on: December 19, 2025, 04:17:15 AM
Do a classical sonata
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Online ned174849

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Re: Help with competition repertoire
Reply #2 on: December 21, 2025, 11:38:51 PM
I’m curious if there would be anymore thoughts on these choices of repertoire I selected. For a classical sonata I’m thinking of op 2 no 3, op 78. Op 90, op 81a, or Op 26. I was also maybe even considering something from Haydn, Clementi, or even C.P.E. Bach. Any thoughts?
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Offline andrew_s

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Re: Help with competition repertoire
Reply #3 on: December 22, 2025, 06:21:14 AM
You’re already thinking in the right direction, but I’d step back and look at overall weight and pacing across 50 minutes, or more. (If you write it out line by line in your planned order, it would also be easier for us to get an overview.)

For the particular competition you’re aiming for first, when is it? And will all the pieces be played in a single round, or split over several rounds? Are there any specific requirements or directions for the different rounds?

From your Beethoven list, op 78 and op 90 make the most sense to me, since both are compact and focused. op 2 no 3 is a brilliant piece, but it often comes across as extrovert and a bit generic in competitions. A strong alternative would be a Haydn sonatas, less common in competitions, but still serious, with plenty of room to show musical depth and control. Perhaps an even better contrast to your other repetoire. Do you have any favorites among his late sonatas?
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Offline lelle

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Re: Help with competition repertoire
Reply #4 on: December 22, 2025, 02:41:37 PM
I think the op 2 no 3 is a bit rough and unweildy as a piece to show off your musicianship. It's a fine piece but not Beethoven's most refined writing IMO. I think the suggestion of a Haydn sonata is good, there is plenty to show there.
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Offline rachmaninoff_forever

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Re: Help with competition repertoire
Reply #5 on: December 22, 2025, 06:03:48 PM
For the classical sonata play the one you like the most
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Online ned174849

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Re: Help with competition repertoire
Reply #6 on: December 22, 2025, 07:36:12 PM
Quote from: andrew_s on December 22, 2025, 06:21:14 AM
You’re already thinking in the right direction, but I’d step back and look at overall weight and pacing across 50 minutes, or more. (If you write it out line by line in your planned order, it would also be easier for us to get an overview.)

For the particular competition you’re aiming for first, when is it? And will all the pieces be played in a single round, or split over several rounds? Are there any specific requirements or directions for the different rounds?



Here is a more organized list  ;)

Bach P&F C# major book 1 (3-4min)
A classical sonata
Medtner Op 39 no 4 and 5 (15min)
Scriabin Preludes op 74 (maybe) (5-6min)
Messiaen Vingt Regards Le Baiser (11min)
Maybe one more piece (any suggestions?)

I agree with choosing either Beethoven op 78 or 90. I will still take in consideration the Haydn as well. Do you think the Messiaen is a good choice?
As for the competition, you need a 20-30 minute audition video and that is in August. There are two live rounds a month after that, the first being around 19 minutes and the second being around 25 minutes. In both rounds the jury choose from your 50+ minutes of repertoire what you are going to play. (The audition repertoire doesn’t have to be different from the repertoire in the live rounds.) The audition and first live round both require a Bach P&F. I hope this is a better overview
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Offline ronde_des_sylphes

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Re: Help with competition repertoire
Reply #7 on: December 22, 2025, 08:38:19 PM
Quote from: lelle on December 22, 2025, 02:41:37 PM
I think the op 2 no 3 is a bit rough and unweildy as a piece to show off your musicianship. It's a fine piece but not Beethoven's most refined writing IMO.

I half agree, half don't. The slow movement gives you a lot of opportunities to present control, lyricism, etc. And there are some really nasty moments in both outside movements (nasty in the sense that the writing is unfriendly). If you can breeze through them, then it's definitely worth preparing imo.

Mind you, I have a soft spot for the piece as it was the first "big" sonata I played.
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