Performer's ARCT choice of pieces:

[nanabush]

I'm planning on doing my performer's ARCT in about 1-2 years, and have chosen several pieces that I might play...

List A:  Prelude and Fugue in C major (bk1) or Prelude and Fugue in C# major (bk1)

List B:  Grieg Sonata in E minor or Moonlight Sonata

List C:  Fantaisie Impromptu, Prelude 1,12, 14, 24 (as one selection) by Chopin, Petrarch Sonnet 104 or Ballade in G minor (still needs alot of work)

List D:  Peurta del Vino, Danse de Puck, Jeux D'eau, Leyenda or le Gibet

List E:  NO FREAKING CLUE!!  I hate modern music!

Concert Etude:  Either black key, F minor for left hand or Prelude from transcendental etudes..

If you have any ideas what I might wanna play for List E, or if you reccommend I switch to another piece or just plainly recommend a piece I learn, that'd be appreciated thanks.

[viking]

Hi.  I am also doing my performets ARCT very soon (August)  and i have some suggestions.  I would go with the moonlight sonata far over the grieg.  I was thinking about learning the grieg but his concerto is far superior to his sonata.  Fantasie Impromptu is a safe choice for list C but if you wanted a further challenge try a chopin ballade or his Heroic Polonaise (very fun to play and not as hard as you would think) 
List D, im a huge fan of rachmaninoff but the gershwin preludes are also awesome if your into Jazz.  And if you hate list E, as I also do,  Im learning this song Amorphus by Walter Buczynski,  its really easy and kinda spooky, and only 3 pages long.  And Black notes would be an awesome choice for etude, unless you want to tackle the La Campanella! 
SAM

[nanabush]

Thanks alot, my teacher wants me to lean more towards Grieg Sonata because I can already play very well, but for the Moonlight, sadly I cannot play the third movement yet which is the hardest part of it...I'm thinking of doing Black note...but have just listened to several other concert etudes, and I love Un sospiro and Gnomenriegen, but I find Un sospiro quite difficult, and Gnomenriegen insanely difficult to play up to speed...Do you get docked marks if the piece you have chosen isn't musical, like for example playing Grieg over Beethoven, will the examiner take note or something?

And one more thing, is Amorphus in public domain, sounds like it would be easy for 3 pages long...

[keys]

check out Prokiovieff's Visions Fugitives  for list E. You only have to play four of them so you can choose the ones you like. They're more neo-classical.

I don't really like the other pieces you listed, but that's completely personal. The C+ pre&fuga, the moonlight, and the fantasy impromptu are all over played, so I'd only learn one of those if I REALLY liked it. And I would definately not learn them all for the same exam.

as for Beethoven vs. Grieg, I would go with Grieg. Nothing is as anoying as a well known piece played poorly, especially if it's the fourth time the examiner has heard that piece that day.

[nanabush]

Thanks alot, It'll actually be less hassle to stick with the Grieg, and I actually might play C#+ prelude/fugue instead, I love that one...visions fugitives?  there's quite a few, you recommend any?

[IanT]

Remember that you can pick something that isn't on the syllabus for one of your pieces.  I played a Rondo by Kabalevsky (I think it's op59).  It's a really cool piece and makes a big climax for the end of your recital.

Ian

[musicsdarkangel]

I'm planning on doing my performer's ARCT in about 1-2 years, and have chosen several pieces that I might play...

List A:  Prelude and Fugue in C major (bk1) or Prelude and Fugue in C# major (bk1)

List B:  Grieg Sonata in E minor or Moonlight Sonata

List C:  Fantaisie Impromptu, Prelude 1,12, 14, 24 (as one selection) by Chopin, Petrarch Sonnet 104 or Ballade in G minor (still needs alot of work)

List D:  Peurta del Vino, Danse de Puck, Jeux D'eau, Leyenda or le Gibet

List E:  NO FREAKING CLUE!!  I hate modern music!

Concert Etude:  Either black key, F minor for left hand or Prelude from transcendental etudes..

If you have any ideas what I might wanna play for List E, or if you reccommend I switch to another piece or just plainly recommend a piece I learn, that'd be appreciated thanks.

Learn the Bach prelude and fugue no 3 in C sharp major, it is a BEAST, but the benefits are great.  It is IMO the hardest prelude AND fugue.

[nanabush]

I listened to recording of the fugue, I love it but it looks soo difficult!  I'm getting the jist of the prelude, It's comin along fine, havn't started fugue yet but I'm determined to learn it, it sounds so jolly and peaceful lol don't ask..

[aajjmb]

warning, you are crossing dangerous territory

DO NOT DO MOON LIGHT SONATA - - way too over player..my teacher said that she had too exam once and 3 people in a row played this piece!
DON'T PLAY FI OR g- BALLAD...(definately don't do moonlight... for my list c critique don't take it AS seriosly)
these pieces are way too overplayed again!

C'est Rien,
AAJJMB

[AvoidedCadence]

If you can do a well-known piece well, go ahead.  I did the Bach Italian Concerto, FI and Appassionata on my ARCT last year.  If you do the ballade, make sure it's done well.

The black key etude is fine.  I don't really like the f minor (worst of the set in my opinion).  I'm not sure how the examiners will respond to the Liszt preludio - it's really meant to be a warm-up, not so much an etude in itself I don't think (not that it's easy but neither are the Chopin).

As for modern - the Prokofiev are OK... pick a contrasting set yourself.  Other E composers: Bartok and Ginastera! I did the Suite de Danzas Criollas.  It's so fun! (If you are having fun with your Bach, why not try a Shostakovich fugue  )

Really though... picking a program should be a personal thing.  Do whatever you like best (and have the technique to pull off).  Don't try learning something you haven't learned and performed WELL in advance.

Good luck!

[nanabush]

Here is my new list and it'll have stars from * to *****, five being I'm a pro at that piece...

List A:  Prelude/Fugue C# major Bk1   **

List B:  Grieg Sonata ****

List C:  Petrarch Sonnet 104 **

List D:  Cathedrale Englouttie (which i just realized is a performer's piece) ****

List E:  I guesse umm... Visions Fugitives but which ones should I do, any suggestions?

Concert Etude:  Black Key Etude Op.10 No.6  *****

[keys]

I'm playing No.1 ( Slow and dreamy 'Lentamente', one page long) No. 6  (cute 'con eleganza, one page long) No.9 (quick 'Allegretto tranquillo' huge intervals in the R.H, two pages) No. 10 (Simple 'Ridicolosamente' two pages long). Those four take about 3 1/2 minutes to play through. Listen to them all. There are a lot of really nice ones.

[nanabush]

I like number 1 and 9, but I also noticed Prokofiev Toccata is performer's.  I have seen the sheet music, but should I give it a shot?  What level are most people who have completed this piece?  How long would it take to learn? 

[aajjmb]

i wish i could play black key with ***** !!

[prettypianoplaying]

Im having my ARCT exam in 2 weeks and some of the songs you listed are the ones im playing. 

Fugue in C sharp major i shard at the beginning when you first learn it (especially the fugue) but most of them are anyways especially at this level.  Its a good choice.

I really like the Grieg sonata, and you should try Un Sospiro as your etude, i love playing it!

As for modern pieces, im playing Excursions # 3 and 4 from samuel Barber.  They're alot of fun, and i dont like most modern pieces either! Also # 1 in that set is good too!

[nanabush]

Out of curiosity are there any other P/F from bach from performer's that you really enjoy to play, I have heard many but am too scared to start another one , is C# major one of the better ones, because I personally love the prelude from the C# major... perhaps a minor p/f?

And where could I get the ginasteras/gershwin sheet music mentioned above, I am flat out broke, and can't afford, so is there any way to get it online?

[viking]

Try looking at Prelude and Fugue in C# minor Bk.1 number 4.  It is for 5 voices, but dont let that discourage you because its really slow and sounds very nice.  Just a suggestion.
SAM

[quantum]

I would say that Cathedrale Englouttie is about borderline overplayed.  Play it if you play it well and really like it. 

My redomendations for List E:

Ginastera - Danzas Argentinas
Pulsating and rhythimic with a beatutiful slow piece in the middle

Kuzmenko - In Memorium to Victims of Chernobyl
Heard it once and I liked it (sorry that's all I can say about this one)

Louie - I leap through the sky with stars
Impressionist feeling with 20th century techniques.  Very shimmery, sparkely, flashy - hence "stars".  I play this one.  Most difficult spots would be the alternating hand tremelos and memorizing the chord clusters. 

[chelsey]

Louie - I leap through the sky with stars
Impressionist feeling with 20th century techniques.  Very shimmery, sparkely, flashy - hence "stars".  I play this one.  Most difficult spots would be the alternating hand tremelos and memorizing the chord clusters. 

This piece is great.. I'm playing it for Diploma Class provincial finals (ontario music festivals association) on June 7. I fell in love with this piece. The chord clusters at the end were a pain to memorize, but there are patterns and once it's in your hands they play themselves. A difficult section for me was that descending arpeggiated section right before the LH trill senza misura section clear at tempo and loud enough as I have small hands. It's certainly fun to play now though.. one of my favourite parts.. I have a recording (not mine, a Canadian pianist) on my computer.. let me know if you want me to send it to you.

Good luck! I don't know if I'm going to go for my ARCT exam or not yet.. I'm going to university in the fall for piano, and it'll depend on what my teacher next year wants to do.

Chelsey

[nanabush]

Could you send me a recording of I leap through the sky with stars? 

nick_pelletier2000@hotmail.com

I havn't seen the sheet music so I have no clue what it'll sound like...

[viking]

This piece is great..

I second that.  Although very difficult, and quite hard to memorize, a great piece to have in your repetoire.
SAM

[chelsey]

Could you send me a recording of I leap through the sky with stars? 

nick_pelletier2000@hotmail.com

I havn't seen the sheet music so I have no clue what it'll sound like...

I sent it.. The sheet music is available from WB music publishers, I paid $13.95 CDN and ordered it right from the RCM store. I've performed this piece in a couple settings, it's a very effective piece, even for those who dislike modern music -- it's not the type that is painful for a non-musical ear to listen to (you know what I mean).

[nanabush]

The piece is excellent, I'll have to get the sheet music. I love the different sounds in it.

[keys]

I found the score for "I leap through the sky with stars" for about a dollar at the symphony music sale. I was pretty happy. It's a nice piece.  It was too long to fit into my ARCT program though, which is why I went with the visions fugitives.

[nanabush]

What's the length for pieces?  Is there a length for each list, or a length for the entire performance?

[lagin]

As far as I've heard, you have only one hour, and no longer to do the entire program.

[nanabush]

Ok thanks alot, I don't think I'll have over an hour after I'm finished