Repertoire for a Juilliard audition.

[e60m5]

Hey everyone... I'm auditioning for the Juilliard Pre-College Division (high school age people like me... on Saturdays, not the full college division) on May 20th. I should perhaps give some background - I'm 15, in 10th grade at school; I live in New York City (well, not surprising, if I'm considering auditioning for the Juilliard-PC  )

Just wanted to know what you guys thought of this audition program. The requirements were 1) a Bach prelude and fugue, or suite; 2) a Classical sonata; 3) a substantial Romantic work; 4) a piece by a contemporary composer.  The repertoire I've chosen is as follows:

[Bach - Partita no.1 in B flat Major]
[Beethoven - Sonata no.23 in F Minor Op.57 (Appassionata)]
[Balakirev - Islamey (Oriental Fantasy)]
[Chen Yi - Duo Ye][/list]

Yes, yes, that may sound rather ridiculous for a 15 year old. However, difficulty is not the issue at hand. I just wanted to know what you guys thought of the program.

And if you don't think I can handle it, I understand. But anyway, if you really think I'm a joker looking for attention (which I can also understand - there are a lot of them) here's a video of me playing Islamey earlier this year. The file is quite big, btw, so will take long to download.

https://www.cafemaru.net/e60m5/islameyhi.wmv

*ahem*. Well, that's not the point at hand - just wanted to know what you guys thought of the program, like, is it balanced? Unbalanced? Satisfying?

Thanks for reading!

[e60m5]

Forgot to state:

I'm well aware that this isn't the best performance of Islamey either - this performance was on March 1st on a Steinway D at Manhattan School of Music: Greenfield Hall. I'm not at all happy with the play, but I play it a lot better now. Don't exactly expect high-level virtuosity, either, I'm only 15..

[amee]

Hi e60m5!

I tried clicking on the link and after the file downloaded it brought me to Windows Media Player.  Then it just kinda stuck and won't say anything but "Buffering".  I have no idea what that means!  It just won't load

[e60m5]

Ah... um...

Right click on the link, and select "Save Target As". This will save the video file in your hard disk.

[amee]

After about 15 minutes, my computer finally decided to finish loading the file!  Yay!  Wow, your technique is so good!  The speed your fingers go over the notes - a really nice and thorougly enjoyable performance of Islamey!  I enjoyed it immensely.

[PoSeiDoN]

Kudos to you, man!  I've heard this piece played many times, but your playing did it justice!

Regarding the program, looks good.  I like the period diversity.  

Is there an .mp3 of Duo Ye anywhere?  I've not heard that piece before..

[e60m5]

Heh, thanks, guys...

One thing I'm not so sure about is whether or not I will have to play through all my repertoire, or if they will cut me off halfway through each piece. It's only a Pre-College audition, anyway.

The Duo Ye...? No, there ain't a recording that I'm aware of (I was looking for one when I first started the piece), but I will make one at home sometime, I've always intended to (but never got around to doing it...).

[BuyBuy]

Hey, great performance ! I'm far from getting there.

By the way, how did you get so young your technical abilities ? Lots of Hanon, scales and arpeggios ? Czerny Studies ? Or something else ?

Just wondering which path I should take... Thanks.

[e60m5]

Hey, BuyBuy, thanks...

As to how I got my technique? I did do a fair amount of scales when I was younger - raised on the AMEB and ABRSM (Australian and UK examination boards) scale syllabus. I never did a lot of Hanon, either - I tended to find that stuff kind of boring...  :-/

Now that I begin to think about it, however, I'm realising that I never sat down and played hours of scales and arpeggios either, and I know some deficiencies in my technique that have probably arisen from that lacking. But in the meantime, when it comes to technique, I still find scales to be among the most important factors when developing a great technique - but not the only factor. One doesn't play scales, after all - we play pieces. But yes - scales in the interim for technique. Those Russians can't all have been wrong.  

[ayahav]

I watched your video of Islamey, and I was just going to comment on what I thought of it. They I read your following comment: (paraphrased) "Don't exactly expect virtuosity from me, i'm only 15...". That is exactly the problem in my opinion: at age 15 you are nowhere near ready to play a piece of grand scale like Islamey - which is not to say that you cannot cope with the technical difficulties. You coped with those satisfactorily, but it sounded like because you were concentrating on that technique so much, there was none of yourself inside it. It looked like you were quite detached from the music as well....

[10Fingers]

at age 15 you are nowhere near ready to play a piece of grand scale like Islamey ....

I must respectfully disagree.

Of course, at age 15 he certainly lacks maturity for such a demanding piece ( you can't blame him for this). Nevertheless, it shouldn't prevent him from practising it and repractising it (if I understood you correctly). The aim, now, is not to be able to play Islamey like Pletnev ( for example) but to gain experience and strive for perfection.
And that's what he's doing. Of course, you just can focus only on the musical part if you've surmounted every techniqual difficulties but in order to reach that it's necessary to tackle such hard pieces. With respect to his young age, he did a quite good job, don't you think so?
As for Julliard, if you refer to that, I agree with you he should rather take another piece instead of the Islamey.
Just my opinion.

regards,

Thi  

[ayahav]

i never said he shouldn't practise it, but not play it publicly... it's just not ready..... wait a couple of years, keep practising..... it's not fair to balakirev or yourself to play it before it's completely perfected..... but by all means keep practising.... I would choose a different work for an audition...

[eddie92099]

I don't think 15 is too young to be playing this sort or work - I played Scarbo at 16 (last year) and was awarded 93/100 in a competition which I played it in by a Royal Academy of Music Professor. Note-wise it was far from perfect but that is not the important thing! I think for you, the technical difficulties are not a problem but you must remember that this is a piece of music! Listen to John Ogdon's recording if you can get hold of it. Otherwise best of luck for the auditions,
Ed

[allchopin]

wow. I dont know what's wrong with your forum-peers e60m5, but this was an excellent performance.  That was amazing for any audition.  i dont know the song that well but i certainly didnt hear any wrong notes.  Yes, i know this is coming from a newb to the song, i know what its like, but still it was satisfying.  As for the program, i would think about ending the performance with the fantasy because it is sort of an encore, but then, i dont know the duo ye.  Good to start with bach then beethoven, sort of musical-chronological selection.  im sure if you play well, the judges wont care which prelude or fugue you chose.  

[allchopin]

btw, how long did it take you to learn such a massive piece as islamey?

post more videos!

[Hmoll2]

I think you're audition repertoire is fine, with the exception of the Beethoven. Why don;t you play one of his ealier sonatas - op2#3, Op7,op10#3 - which are still virtuosic?

The Islamey link is technically very impressive. This is a piece that has very little musical merit, and is intended for one thing - to show off ones chops. This piece does not compare favorably with Gaspard - which is also at the extreme of technical difficulty - in terms of its worth musically. So, if you can pull it off technically, do it.

Since you posted this for everyone to see, I assume you are open to some of the constructive feedback that follows. Let me preface what I say by mentioning that I wish I had your chops at 15 yrs of age. I actually did not begin piano until I was 15.
While your playing is technically very good, you should definately work on playing more musically, and communicatively. Perhaps it was the venue where it was taped - small audience, etc. - but I did not get much spark out of your performance. Please take that comment in the helpful friendly manner it was intended, and not as a put down. At 15, you have many years to develop your musical personality.

I don't think you will have much problem with your audition, but best of luck anyway, and happy practicing.

BTW, who is your teacher in NY - if you don't mind lettig us know here.

[e60m5]

Thank you all for your comments and feedback.

Well, the audition went through, and I didn't play my best. Well we never play our best, as we all know; yet this was definitely much below normal - ouch. I didn't get into Juilliard, yet I realise this is far from the end of anything - if at all, the beginning.

As for why I didn't get in, I guess one of the obvious reasons was the standard of playing. I guess there was nothing besides better preparation that could have helped there. The program chosen I realise was ambitious, but I still believe that given a better performance (which I am sure was a possibility) that this might not have been a problem. Then there are also other reasons beyond my control, but that is life, those are auditions, and to pick one's self up from failure is perhaps more important than knowing how to succeed in the first place.

As to my teacher in New York, I have just changed teachers; my previous teacher was Adam Kent, part of the Damocles Trio. My new teacher is Ms Nina Svetlanova - she has a website; https://ninasvetlanova.com/ . I start with her in September.

Incidentally, I also have a recital in Connecticut on August 14th. My program is as follows:

Bach - Partita no.1
Schubert - Impromptu no.3 in G flat D.899
Liszt - Au Lac de Wallenstadt & Orage

---

Chopin - Polonaise Op.53; Nocturnes Op.9 no.1, no.2
Rachmaninov - Prelude Op.3 no.2
Beethoven - Sonata no.23 in F Minor Op.57

And as an encore, I will be playing Liszt's Liebestraume no.3 in A flat..

Well, though I didn't get into Juilliard, I am if at all trying harder than ever to pull myself back up. I guess that for all of us, it is indeed the ability to spring back from defeat that will ultimately prove crucial. I can just hope for the best for my future, and just as equally, for yours.

Thank you again for your feedback.

PS: More videos? Perhaps... >_> I have one of me performing Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto, but only the first movement is on tape. That's not with an orchestra though. (The video is on the internet, but I don't know if I shall bother placing the link up here - don't know if there's a demand, and besides, I know not many people are keen on hearing 15 year olds play Rachmaninov. I'm 16 now btw; video made at 15)

[eddie92099]

I would be interested in seeing the Rachmaninov since it is a piece which I have looked through myself...
Ed

[Hmoll]

em60m5,

Sorry to hear about the audition. Yes, keep a positive attitude. You have to because you will be doing many more auditions in the future. Also, keep in mind that contacts and networking have a lot to do with how you succeed in auditions. I wouldn't be surprised to hear if some of the successful candidates had some inside contacts. That is definately something to keep in mind, and try to work into your favor for the future.
Your future teacher has a great reputation, and you will be in good hands.

Like the program for the recital - the two Liszt pieces pair together very well.

[e60m5]

Eh, okay... the link to the Rachmaninov video (just the first movement, not with orchestra, with second piano) is https://www.cafemaru.net/e60m5/rach2concert.zip

You'll need to unzip it before watching. I think that's the right link, at least.

Murder away.

[ThEmUsIcMaNBJ]

Man I hate you  
I'de love to critique away but I'm no where near your level!  HOPEFULLY someone will come on and say you suck so it will make me feel a little better    hehe j/k!  

Amazing man!  Keep up the good work!  

[e60m5]

Heh, thanks man... but I know there are going to be nasty comments waiting if more people see the video...

Best of luck!

[eddie92099]

Let the music breathe - the fast bits were to slow, and the slow bits were too fast. A perfect example being the first solo cadenza after the main theme going into the second subject - the cadenza was too slow (I know it isn't easy!) but much more time could have been taken when arriving at the second subject. Also the C major massive broken chord about 8/9 minutes in - there is much more to be found yet in this music. ( + either spread the opening chords or don't spread them, not some kind of in between - the opening is easy, don't let the first impression be so poor!),
Ed

[david]

Hello e60m5 and other people.I saw your video and I just tell you to be patient with your( no doubt) brilliant career.
I wanted to know who was your teacher, but you told us before.
But if you want to answer, I would like to know why do you want to enter in Juilliard,, if you are going to study with such a teacher as Nina?

[eddie92099]

Hello e60m5 and other people.I saw your video and I just tell you to be patient with your( no doubt) brilliant career.

Saying he has a no doubt brilliant career does not help anyone. There are many more people who have that said to them than have that happen to them,
Ed

[david]

Thanks for your advice, Ed and I have to say that I can´t tell him any more than good luck in his career.

David

[e60m5]

Heh, that is definitely true.

I was considering going to Juilliard before I went to Nina. It was only when I was rejected from Juilliard that I went on to Nina; so perhaps it was the best thing for me, after all. I start with her in September, and have great confidence in her - I hope things will work out...

As for Juilliard? I don't think I will apply next year, since I have found a great teacher, and intend to raise myself to the next level - which won't be done by repeated switching of teachers and learning environments.

[Roastie_FC]

AMEB hey?

I live in Australia

What grade did you reach
and how long have you been learning?

[david]

Heh, that is definitely true.

I was considering going to Juilliard before I went to Nina. It was only when I was rejected from Juilliard that I went on to Nina; so perhaps it was the best thing for me, after all. I start with her in September, and have great confidence in her - I hope things will work out...

As for Juilliard? I don't think I will apply next year, since I have found a great teacher, and intend to raise myself to the next level - which won't be done by repeated switching of teachers and learning environments.

I do wish you the best of luck with such a teacher.

[e60m5]

Thanks for the encouragement.

I left Sydney at the age of 11, and had only completed grade 7 AMEB. I never really focused on exams, however, and did not pay much attention to them.

[trunks]

Hey e60m5,

Nasty comments? Aww come on . . . I for one love your performance of the Balakirev. The only nasty comment from me would be - "Oh how come we couldn't see your face clearly?"

By the way, I was just wondering what "e60m5" could stand for . . .