help is most appreciated!! re. repertoire for a competition.

[tds]

hi folks,

i am preparing for the new orleans international piano competition, which is held in july 2005. though preliminary/audition result won't be notified till much later, i'd like to know now what ya'll think of the repertoire i am preparing, in case i get in.

semifinal 1 ( no more than 35 minutes ):

chopin f major ballade
beethoven "waldstein" sonata

semifinal 2 ( no more than 20 minutes ):

haydn b minor sonata ( haven't checked the hob no. yet )
chopin b minor scherzo

final ( no more than 50 minutes ):

ravel mirrors
rachmaninoff prelude in c# minor, g major, b minor, and b flat major


thanks, in advance.

best,

tds

[steinwayguy]

Your first semifinal program is fairly good, but as you might know the Waldstein is very, very widely played at competitions/auditions.

I like the idea of the Haydn B Minor Sonata, but the Chopin B Minor Scherzo is exxtreeeemely overplayed. I suggest (yes, of course) either C-sharp Minor or E Major. I think E Major would provide a better contrast with the B Minor Sonata.

Miroirs is a great idea. But I think you should replace the c-sharp minor and g major preludes with, say, g-sharp minor from op. 32 and b major from op. 32. So, Op. 32 No. 10, 11, 12 and Op. 23 No. 2. I think that would be a great program, because for some reason I love the 10th (b minor) to followed by the 11th (b major).

Otherwise, good luck.

[apion]

Your first semifinal program is fairly good, but as you might know the Waldstein is very, very widely played at competitions/auditions.

Make no mistake, if you can successfully perform the Waldstein, then you're doing better than 99.9% of your jealous competitors.  If you enjoy this piece, I say go for it.   Of all the pieces you've listed, this is the crown jewel.  It is very likely one of the top 10 piano sonatas ever composed -- by Beethoven or anyone else.  People become fixated with Beethoven's final 4 sonatas, which is fine, but this obsession tends to do an injustice to this amazing sonata.

Chopin's Ballades are also sure-fire masterpieces of the highest calibre.  Your other selections are acceptable.

[tds]

thanks steinwayguy, my response is interspersed with yours, in italics.

"Your first semifinal program is fairly good, but as you might know the Waldstein is very, very widely played at competitions/auditions."

i hope this is effective. i don't have any problem with a piece being widely played or not.

"I like the idea of the Haydn B Minor Sonata, but the Chopin B Minor Scherzo is exxtreeeemely overplayed. I suggest (yes, of course) either C-sharp Minor or E Major. I think E Major would provide a better contrast with the B Minor Sonata."

as i have said, i don't really care whether or not a piece is extremely over/underplayed. if i feel the connection with a particular work and confidently know that i have something to say with/thru it, i'd be more than happy to present it, regardless. I totally agree with your suggestion about the e major scherzo, being a better contrast work to the haydn. the problem is ( my problem, this is ) that i dont wanna spend too much time try to learn it ( I have not played it before ), while spending the time and energy to prepare other repertoire. i dont see myself as wunderkind, see.... ( i wish i were,..which would make life much easier, wouldn't it? ).  as for the c-sharp minor one ( also exceedingly overplayed, which is alright! ), though i play it, it is not the most comfortable piece to me. in fact it scares me quite a bit.

"Miroirs is a great idea. But I think you should replace the c-sharp minor and g major preludes with, say, g-sharp minor from op. 32 and b major from op. 32. So, Op. 32 No. 10, 11, 12 and Op. 23 No. 2. I think that would be a great program, because for some reason I love the 10th (b minor) to followed by the 11th (b major). "

i also think that miroirs is a wonderful set of work ( very "complete" in/by itself--it carries a wider variety of characters, than its senior, gaspard ). it makes a wonderful addition to a recital program in all settings. I chose it not only because i have a special affinity with this set of work, but it has proven in numerous occasions to brings the best out of my imagination and talents ( unlike my performances of gaspard, which i would think was less verve and freedom overall ).

thanks for suggestion on the rachmaninoff. i can see your way, being also good and attractive. i dont know, but something about rachmaninoff, that you can make all kinds of choices, and order, within reasons, and still make rachmaninoff sound as effective as ever. unlike some composers, i think rachmaninoff music is a most friendly one when it comes to buildking a program. a well-tuned unifier, so to speak. in my previous concert, i put d major prelude right after the c# minor ( and to follow with g major, b minor and b flat major ), it was also very attractive. i could;ve replaced c # minor with the d major one for this competition, but heck, ....it's so difficult to play it without a memory slip ( to me, that is ). pehaps if i use some hand recontribution, it will be easier to play and memorize. any thought?

[tds]

Make no mistake, if you can successfully perform the Waldstein, then you're doing better than 99.9% of your jealous competitors. If you enjoy this piece, I say go for it. Of all the pieces you've listed, this is the crown jewel. It is very likely one of the top 10 piano sonatas ever composed -- by Beethoven or anyone else. People become fixated with Beethoven's final 4 sonatas, which is fine, but this obsession tends to do an injustice to this amazing sonata.

Chopin's Ballades are also sure-fire masterpieces of the highest calibre. Your other selections are acceptable.

the make-no-mistake thing is such a great advice!! am working up to it ) ...( it has proven before that mistake free performance is, to me, not too easy ). anyone wanna give tips on how to give a flawless recital? i agree that waldstein is amongst top sonatas. best, tds