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Topic: What pieces are good enough for a 1st solo recital?  (Read 1977 times)

Offline C-A

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Hello. :)
I'm 15 years old right now.
I've been playing the piano for 3 years, and my teacher wants me to have my 1st solo recital next year, and I was wondering... What pieces are good for my 1st solo recital? My teacher says the recital is around 1hr, 15mins.

These are the pieces I've learned:
Debussy: Children's Corner Dr. Gradus Ad Parnassum(2:15)
Schubert: Impromptu in G-flat Major 90/3(5:15)
Khachaturian: Tocatta in E-flat minor(4:45)
Mozart: Sonata in B-flat Major K.570(18:00)
Chopin: Waltz in A-flat Major Op.42(4:15)
Chopin: Etude 25/1, Etude 25/6(25/1- 2:00, 25/6- 2:15)
These ones are in progress:
Chopin: Military Polonaise(appx. 5:00)
Beethoven: Sonata in E 14/1(appx. 12:30)
Bach: Prelude & Fugue no.1 in C(Well-Tempered Clavier bk.1)(don't know how long)
Chopin: 10/9(1:50)
Debussy: Pour Le Piano Suite(Don't know how long)
Possible next pieces my teacher told me:
She only told me Chopin's Heroic Polonaise(6:20).

What I need is your decision of which of the ones mentioned are good for the recital, additional pieces if the ones mentioned aren't so good, a piano concerto, lasting around 20mins. minimum or 40+ pages, and most importantly, advice. Just don't give ones that are extremely difficult like Sorbaji's Opus Clavicemballisticum or Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto! I'm just a student!

Offline pianowelsh

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Re: What pieces are good enough for a 1st solo recital?
Reply #1 on: May 05, 2005, 01:53:19 PM
Hello! Does your teacher mean you have to play the whole 1hr 15?!?!? Thats a long recital for a 15 yr old whose been playing three years! None of your pieces are 'bad' but soem of them you might think carefully how to place in a programme and you may well end up doing a group of Chopin etc. You have to be carefull that it doesnt sound like lots of short pieces so maybe a big sonata of Beethoven one (actually even something like Cmin variations) Or a big baroque work like a Partita or French suite or something (maybe a toccata). The Debussy is fine but short ! as twentieth C offering - I would advise either learning the rest of it (not too difficult) or sticking in a lively twentieth C piece to close with  ie Prokofiev - Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet suite? the heroic pol would be a good one to do! Pour le Piano is good - do you play it all there is some pretty challenging music in the end - it would be a good recital piece.

regarding a concerto - i would look at K488 and Beethoven 1 & 3 not too long and fairly straightforward technically (not easy - straightforward)

Offline pianostudent

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Re: What pieces are good enough for a 1st solo recital?
Reply #2 on: May 05, 2005, 02:19:45 PM
For, 1 hr 15 mins, I think you have to all pieces you listed.

Good Luck.   :)

Offline steinwayguy

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Re: What pieces are good enough for a 1st solo recital?
Reply #3 on: May 05, 2005, 10:31:11 PM
Learn the rest of the Children's Corner...
I think you MUST program the Mozart 570, Beethoven 14/1, and the Op. 90 Schubert Impromptus. A little classical heavy, yes, but safe for a first recital.

Offline i_m_robot

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Re: What pieces are good enough for a 1st solo recital?
Reply #4 on: May 05, 2005, 11:09:46 PM
just try not to play too many similar piece

example: dont play too many sad slow piece in a row

you will put your audience to sleep

WATASHI NO NAMAE WA

AI EMU ROBATO DESU

立派のエビの苦闘及びは立派である

Offline C-A

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Re: What pieces are good enough for a 1st solo recital?
Reply #5 on: May 06, 2005, 03:15:29 AM
Hello! Does your teacher mean you have to play the whole 1hr 15?!?!? Thats a long recital for a 15 yr old whose been playing three years! None of your pieces are 'bad' but soem of them you might think carefully how to place in a programme and you may well end up doing a group of Chopin etc. You have to be carefull that it doesnt sound like lots of short pieces so maybe a big sonata of Beethoven one (actually even something like Cmin variations) Or a big baroque work like a Partita or French suite or something (maybe a toccata). The Debussy is fine but short ! as twentieth C offering - I would advise either learning the rest of it (not too difficult) or sticking in a lively twentieth C piece to close with ie Prokofiev - Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet suite? the heroic pol would be a good one to do! Pour le Piano is good - do you play it all there is some pretty challenging music in the end - it would be a good recital piece.

regarding a concerto - i would look at K488 and Beethoven 1 & 3 not too long and fairly straightforward technically (not easy - straightforward)
Yes, she means it- 1hr, 15mins, with a 20-minute intermission at the middle.

And everyone, thanks for the advice and the additional pieces! I really appreciate it a lot. I'll tell my teacher by Tuesday, since every week, piano classes is at Tuesday.
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