Recommend a good Contemporary piece for auditions?

[g_flat]

Hi everyone,

I'm 17 and have been studying piano for six years. I plan on pursuing music as a career and majoring in piano performance in college.  My senior year is quickly approaching which, at least for me, means....Can you guess?

Auditions.

I've researched the audition requirments of the various schools to which I'm applying and found that most are similar enough to where I could pretty much just set up the same program for all of them. One requirement is that I perform a Contemporary, 20th century, piece. I don't really know what to play for this so I'm looking for suggestions. I was thinking something along the lines of Debussy or Ravel and not anything overly showing or strikingly difficult to learn, but collegiate level nonetheless.

[Phillip]

It depends on the definition of 'contemporary' (eg, is this music written after 1960, say).  You could have a look at some of Piazolla's piano music (eg, the 3 Preludes).  It is very much in fashion with performers and yet is approachable.  Some of his works now figure on diploma syllabuses here in the UK.

Phillip

[odsum25]

I would personally avoid Debussy or Ravel, as they are suspect contemporary in some places and many people will be playing them.  There is a wealth of other 20th century music to play that will not be played by a lot of auditionees.  If you want something more tonal and fairly accesible I would suggest Janacek's In The Mist.  For something a little more adventurous, the Copland Variations or Sonata would do the trick.  Of course you could do anything else from many many composers.  These are just some of my favorite pieces.

[gkatele]

It depends on the definition of 'contemporary' (eg, is this music written after 1960, say).

I've developed a real taste for Poulenc. It's approachable, melodic, quirky and 20th century. Look at the nocturnes and the perpetual motions.


George

[rhapsody in orange]

Hmm..
Debussy - La Plus Que Lente
Copland - The Cat and the Mouse
Bartok - Suite Op. 14
Ginastera - Three Argentinian Dances
All of them are around the standard used for college auditons for undergrads

[odsum25]

I would also suggest the Bartok Improvisation on Peasant Tunes.

[steinwayguy]

I would also suggest the Bartok Improvisation on Peasant Tunes.

I second that.