solo recital

[Lauren98]

Hello,
In October 2006 I am planning to do my first solo recital.  I've talked with both my parents and my teacher, and they have given me some suggestions, but I still don't really know how to go about doing a recital.  Basically I'm planning to play about an hour program with music from various time periods, as well as hymn arrangements.  My teacher recommended having the recital no longer than an hour with no intermission, as well as starting with the something that will catch their attention, and not playing pieces that are too long.  I'm not going to be a professional pianist or anything; I'm just doing this for fun and so I can invite all my friends and family.  So I would really appreciate any advice anyone has.  Thanks!
Sincerely,
Lauren

[steinwayguy]

Do you mean repertoire, performance tips or preparation tips? Or all three?

[Lauren98]

All three!  Whatever help you can give would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!
Lauren

[BoliverAllmon]

set monthly goals. Say you decide that such and such will be your repertoire for the concert. Then you need to set monthly goals to help you achieve this.

boliver

[Lauren98]

Thanks, Boliver.  I'm still choosing my repertoire, but once I have it decided I'll follow your suggestion.
Lauren

[iumonito]

This is a very nice project.  I chosing your repertoire, there are many ways in which you can arrange the program.  Think of it as a meal; you would not want to serve desert first.

Although chronological is not the only way to do it, it sometimes is an easy way to organize your program.  I personaly like to play something soft at the begining, then something classical and something romantic and then have a short intermission.  For one hour of music I think 10 minutes would be plenty.

Then for the second part you can start with the hymns, then something baroque and finish with something fun.  Have a secret encore ready, something everybody knows works best.  In fact, if people know it so well that the break in song and start singing with you, they always love it.

When people wish you luck you can tease them that the right thing to do is to wish you that you break a leg.     Tradition (no need to break one, really!)

If you take special requests, there are a few lovely pieces by Rameau that are perfect to start the concert.  Let me know if you want details, as I don't have my score in front of me.

[Lauren98]

Wow, thanks, iumonito!  I'm glad to have suggestions like the ones you gave!  I'll definitely keep your ideas in mind as I'm planning this.  And yes, if you could give me details on the Rameau that would be great.  One thing that I may not do is have an intermission.  Maybe.  I don't know yet.  My teacher suggested just doing the concert all the way through because people may be tired or bored (if it isn't their style of music) and just decide to leave halfway through.  I would like to do a short intermission though.  It would give me time to relax a little bit before I continue, so I won't be quite so nervous and tense when I go on for the second half.  But we'll see.  Something I realized I definitely need to do is have my program decided as far in advance as possible and not just do whatever I happen to have ready by that time...if I do that there will be no concert (I need goals to keep me extra motivated).  So since I don't have school next week I'll work some more on choosing the music.  I'll post my program and other details on here when I get it figured out.
Thanks again!
~Lauren~

[steinwayguy]

Rameau 

Anway, if you're planning it so far in advance (October!), you might as well get everything memorized by the end of June, because it's not that much rep (an hour's worth). Get out your entire repertoire list, and then make a list of pieces that you would sell your soul to the devil to play. I'm pretty sure you could manage just about anything, since you have until October. I can't recommend any specific pieces, because you haven't mentioned any specific ideas, but if you do, I'd be more than happy to help you out. Picking repertoire is so fun 

[jim_24601]

When people wish you luck you can tease them that the right thing to do is to wish you that you break a leg.     Tradition (no need to break one, really!)

I'd be careful though ... I've just sung in a concert where the guy who organised the whole thing, put an incredible amount of work into it and was due to conduct it couldn't be there because he had, in fact, broken his leg. Somebody really should have told him that "break a leg" isn't supposed to be taken literally!

[iumonito]

SG, no rolling of eyes at Rameau, please.  He is a great master, he wrote great keyboard music, totally underplayed and totally deserving.  Lauren, this is perfect for your recital; judge for yourself.   

I would recommned Fanfarinette, from the suite in A (Nouvelles Suites de Pieces de Clavecin (ca. 1728)).  It is in A major and the Saint-Saens edition is in the public domain, so you can make photocopies rather than buy the whole book.

If you like it a lot you can couple it with either La Triomphante (much more brilliant, also in A major, from the same suite) or with the irresistible Les Nais de Sologne (with its two doubles (variations)).  Le Nais ends very brilliantly without being overly difficult; nice left hand work.

[nikodr]

1 hour recital,i no intermission.Well i would advice some to play not bach but rather C.p.e Bach (for a change),1 sonata of scarlati, op 10 no 2 sonata of beethoven,2-3 chopin etudes, a romantic piece (either liszt,schuman,brahms,etc or maybe rachmaninov),and for close play some debussy preludes.As an encore play a waltz of chopin or something from rachmaninov again (2 preludes maybe).It may not be an hour exactly,but it is good if there is no intermission.

Now if you donot want hackeyend pieces.You can try to play various arragementes of minute waltz of chopin (Listen to sorabji's version and you will feel crazy!!),or play something like Leo ornstein,or some alkan etudes for piano,trust me.Sometimes people would love to hear something different.Other than that it all depends on your personal piano skill